Thursday 14 October 2021

Dangling

No more quagmires for a while
You know I have this goal. I want to walk a certain amount this year. Several reasons: last year was a dud. I like walking. It brings me mental and physical advantages. However...

It also brought me pain. Which led me to see the doctor last year: over exertion after doing nothing for a while. Go slow and cycle. I don't like cycling.

Regardless of the pain, I was able to slowly get better. 1 km became 5 and then 10. Recovery from the pain went from 1 week to 1 day, even with longer distances. 

No more walks with my Dad in the snow for a while
Then I got the news of the move and I stopped walking. I didn't stop moving about though. Goodness, how I moved. I crouched, I sat on my knees, I went up the stairs and down and up and down... And my knee got sorer and sorer. To the point of nearly crying with pain when I just sat behind the wheel and was not even moving the knee. 

I had planned on getting back to walking, but this was no fun anymore. Back to the gp. Who thought it might be osteoarthritis. Fortunately the x-rays showed it wasn't, but the pain was still present. On to the physiotherapist. 

No cute cows for a while
She listened, she looked, she felt. And then she showed. Basically the cartilage on the inside of the knee is inflamed and a bit swollen. When I stretch the knee, the cartilage touches: pain. When I walk, it gets stressed and hurts. 

What to do then? Well, I have to dangle. Not me as such, but the leg. Sit on a stool or a table and just let my left leg dangle and sway. That way gravity pulls the lower leg down a bit, easing everything and giving it some rest. Less pain. Walking is bad. Cycling is good. Sleeping on my stomach (which I love) is bad, sleeping on my back with a pillow under my knee to stop it from straightening is good. 

Basically the knee is alright. No excessive wear and tear, the ligaments are fine and strong and correctly placed, nothing broken. I just overdid it a bit. 6-12 weeks at least. 

No long walks by the seaside for a while
Dangling...

12 comments:

  1. Glad to hear it is not as serious as you first thought.
    Keep the dangling up!!!

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  2. Hari OM
    Oh dear - but at least there is an answer and a solution. Here's hoping it proves a full one! YAM xx

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    1. Fingers crossed indeed, although so far I have been massively overdoing it… Holiday and such

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  3. As anything else, walking should not be exaggerated. It's not all benefit.
    As for knees, what helps me is to watch my body weight.

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    1. I didn’t do a massive amount this week, but still a bit much. Next week should be easier sgain.

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  4. Mara thank goodness no need for surgery...but I feel you disappointment at not being about to get out as you like.
    Last few days my sciatica has been screaming at me...all due to a much to vigorous walk on Monday.
    Hugs Cecilia

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  5. Sorry to hear about your knee pain but it's good to hear that nothing structurally is wrong. All paws are crossed that you will feel better soon.

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  6. Hopefully that sore knee will get better soon. Good luck!

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  7. It's always something. I was just wondering today, how much I would actually be able to walk once I get my foot surgery followed by months of recuperation.

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  8. I knew dangling your legs must be good for something. Well now I know.

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    1. The first thing I thought when I was told: my gran would have hated it! When I told my Mum, she said something similar and so did my sister. My gran would always tell us to sit still and used her walking stick to stop our feet bobbing!

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  9. That is good news on your knee. I hope it get better. So will you start riding or get a stationary bike?

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Any weighty (and not so weighty) comments are welcome!