I've read the archived posts, but have a question about chondromalacia I didn't see addressed. Does anyone awaken at night from pain? I never knew I had knee problems and had been active. I decided to do a 60 mile (over a 3 day period) charity walk last month and had walked in preparation for 8 months. Towards the end of the first day, the last 5 miles, I could hardly finish, especially down hills. I had to walk backwards. I could feel the patellas grinding, occasionally popping and feeling in the wrong place,plus pain, along with pain that felt like hot knives scraping under my kneecaps from the sides inward. That day's walk was nearly 20 miles, but shorter than some training walks had been (and I'd had no problems before this). I iced both knees at camp and took ibuprofen. Later that night I had to leave the event for home because the pain was so bad. I saw my dr. the next day, but could barely walk. She just looked me over, told me it was chondromalacia and told me to stay off my feet completely for a week, stay off work (where I'm on my feet continuously), ice and ibuprofen. I started on the Glucosamine/Chondroitin that day. What else can I do? I went back to the dr. (different one at the same place- they send you to whoever's available at the HMO) a few days later and he said I seemed fine because he could move my limbs around without much pain;just told to stay off feet and not walk far. I am fairly pain free, as long as I'm a couch potato. Well, it's only been a little over 3 weeks. Whenever I do walk (which hasn't been often. I'm taking it easy and it was only a 20 minute walk) or stand too long, my knees hurt terribly and occasionally lock after sitting. Sometimes the patellas feel as if they're in the wrong place- a pulling sensation. My entire legs hurt, from hips to ankles. The pain wakes me up at night. Would some type of knee brace help? I hate to think the only way to not be awakened is to be totally sedentary now. Any suggestions are welcomed! Thanks!
Follow Ups:
Re: chondromalacia/pain
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on November 17, 1998 at 13:47:30:
In Reply to: chondromalacia/pain posted by Sandra on November 17, 1998 at 02:41:01:
Before Dr. Stoll suggests that I say something here, I will just jump right in.
You need to find a chiropractor in your area that deals with extremity problems. The history and symptoms you describe follow exactly with a problem that involves torsion of the lower leg in relation to the thigh. Since the patella is a free floating bone with connections to the quadraceps muscles and the tibia, any disruption of the alignment of the thigh and lower leg causes the patella to "track" incorrectly. This may very well be the answer to your problem and the key is to find someone who can line things back up so that it can begin to properly heal.
Best Wishes.
Follow Ups:
Re: chondromalacia/pain
Posted by Walt Stoll on November 18, 1998 at 09:48:33:
In Reply to: chondromalacia/pain posted by Sandra on November 17, 1998 at 02:41:01:
Dear Sandra,
There is no doubt about the diagnosis! I am glad that you have started the glucosamine/chondroitin.
I have a question: Are you overweight? If you are, it is absolutely essential that you lose weight down to normal or below ASAP.
There are 2 things you need to start immediately: non-weight bearing exercises in your local pool (every community has these now) AND the regular practice of skilled relaxation. This is going to take you a couple of years although symptoms will improve almost immediately.
Then, while you are doing those, remember this basic thing. Until this is gone ALL weight bearing exercises are bad for you. The underwater exercises and a good stretching program are therapeutic. Avoid steps, ride when you could walk, etc.
Finally, a good Chiropractor (ask Doc Dave) should be able to help you reallign how you use your joints so as to give you some relief while you are trying to rebuild the joint surfaces. Also, you might look into Rolfing for the same purpose.
Unless you are able to turn this around, you are looking at a joint replacement in your future.
Questions?
Walt
Re: chondromalacia/pain
Posted by Sandra on November 25, 1998 at 02:21:35:
In Reply to: Re: chondromalacia/pain posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on November 17, 1998 at 13:47:30:
Thanks for your input. Shortly before I was injured, I had a trainer at a gym I'd been considering joining tell me I needed to strengthen my quads & something about my "Q-Line" and I was definitely going to have knee problems. I didn't think she knew what she was talking about, since I never had knee problems before. I sure wish I had listened!I certainly pray surgery's not in my future. I did start physical therapy today and heard much of the same as you both wrote. I am being taught exercises to strengthen the quads (which I now know are VERY weak)and help the patellas track properly. They also tried a taping technique, which I was told works better than a brace. I am looking into water activities/ non-weight bearing exercise and do practice relaxation. I am eager to do what it takes to make it better, believe me! Thanks again.
Follow Ups:
Re: chondromalacia/pain
Posted by Walt Stoll on November 26, 1998 at 08:33:58:
In Reply to: Re: chondromalacia/pain posted by Sandra on November 25, 1998 at 02:21:35:
Dear Sandra,
As my late father was fond of telling me: "Ve get too soon oldt and too late schmardt!" Grin.
Walt