KNEE ARTHRITIS - Changing the forces through the joint :
Minor Miracle - - Posted by Sam (Sam), 15 July 2004
I am 53 and have osteoarthritis in both lateral compartments of my knees. Basically I have 90% meniscus gone and articular cartilage missing with bone on bone areas. I was a very active person participating in tennis, racquetball, jogging, skiing and biking. The start of my knee problems happened in 1996 with a right knee operation. With a good left knee I could participate in my sports. But in 1998, the left knee was operated on and same damage appeared. I had to forgo skiing and racquetball and limit myself to tennis doubles. I had to wear 2 unloader braces when playing tennis and could not play 2 days in a row. Swelling always occurred and icing was normal post tennis routine. Walking long distances or hiking was out of the question. My OS and Steadman/Hawkins ( out of Vail,CO) both said the only procedure to help me would be a TKR or PKR. I did not want to go through those procedures, so I resolved myself to endure the unloader braces as long as I could.
My wife had always wanted me to see a foot and ankle doctor. Well I finally went to see one about 2 months ago. I found out I was walking incorrectly and thus placing abnormal amount of force on the outside of my knees (lateral compartments). I went to rehab to correct my walking. The first session he gave me 2 exercises to do. In 2 short days I played tennis without my braces and did not require icing afterwards. My mobility was substanially better. After more rehab and exercises, in a week I started to play singles again. I have gone to 9 rehab sessions and I have absolutely no pain when I play tennis. Basically my ankles were not flexible enough to distribute the forces evenly up through my knees and through my quads. I am looking forward to this winter as I am sure I can ski again. BTW
I am not getting the TKR or PKR.
Updated Fri Jan 9 2009