Bone Marro Edema

[Princes]

Hi
 
Last monday I was diagnosed with bone marrow edema on my kness. I didn't get a chance to ask my questions from my Dr since I was in a shock. Can someone help me please?
- So what sort of excrcises can I do? can I do yoga? can I strech??
- Will this thing eventually heal or do I have it for the rest of my life?
- Will I ever be able to walk.. at the moment I am afraid to even walk because I think I will damage my knees more.
I am depressed
 

[Vickster]

The questions you ask would be best addressed to your doctor or physiotherapist who know your history and can touch your knees.  Can you give some background as to how you have come to injure your knees - are you an athlete or dancer etc, did you have a trauma, how old are you?  Do you know in which bone the edema is - thigh bone, shin bone, knee cap?  Did the doctor mention anything else?

My understanding is that bone marrow edema is like a bone bruise - these are painful but they do heal, can take up to a year though.  You would be best to avoid any sport or activity involving impact, on the yoga front, you should check with a professional, my physio recommends stretching and muscle strength in thighs, hamstrings, calves is key for knees, but we are all different.  Use ice if it helps.  I wouldn't stop walking etc as you need to keep the muscles strong, and not let them waste

I had extensive bone bruising in my thigh bone, clearly shown on MRI (I assume you have had one) after trauma - 5-6 months later on a subsequent MRI It had healed

Good luck, stay positive, this can take a long time to resolve but unlike some knee damage that can occur, it should heal eventually

[PJ24]

I was diagnosed with bone marrow oedema in knee 2012. It had caused a slight fracture so was put on crutches 6 weeks . When came off crutches I then had more problems, but with knee & foot, which later impacted both knees. Anyway, I was put back on crutches again, & this time stayed on them another 6 months, even though there were no further fractures. I became very depressed & like you I wondered if I would ever walk again. I found it very difficult to find information & I felt my Dr was keeping me on crutches too long as I was experiencing further problems because of them.
I moved to another Dr (consultant) who said crutches were just making situation worse, so he told me to get lots of physio & slowly, over several weeks I began to get stronger & more flexible. I also began to do some light exercise at gym & some swimming/walking in the water ( as non weight bearing).
I later had a bone treatment in hospital called Bisophonate I think. My confidence and strength grew more & more, but I had to exercise a lot to keep flexible & strong.
With hindsight I would say I should not have been on crutches so long & i I don't know whether the condition has gone as I am now careful not to walk too far or do too much, but I do now have a normal life again, and I am so very grateful for that.
Please try to exercise, but take it slowly. I now do believe the condition can heal but it can take time. You will learn to manage it yourself after a while, and get back to a normal life again.  IF it does go on for months, ask about Bisophonates via IV, but try to manage yourself first.
I do know just how you feel, but you will improve (perhaps you have already?)