KNEE ARTHRITIS - General principles of managing Osteoarthritis of the knee :

In shock! This can't be my knee - - Posted by luvd2run (luvd2run), 27 March 2003

Try to make a long story short:
I am 38 yo.  Have run mod distance for 12 yrs (approx 30 mpw)
About 1.5 yrs ago, was in mile ten of run when got sharp pain under my patella.  Disappeared when I stopped.  Dropped my mileage, but subtle pains continued along w/ stiff sensation and later swelling/redness.

About 1 yr ago went to ortho surgeon who dxed pat-fem OA.  Made some sense, I dislocated that patella 20 yrs ago, but had zero problems until lately.  He ordered x-rays, but for various reasons - I did not see report till last week.

Went to PT, did exercises to rebuild quads.  Some improvment, but still had stiffness, swelling, could not get back to running as I was.

2 wks ago, had MRI on bad knee - totally normal.  At same time got x-ray report.  X-ray said mild OA in medial tibial - NOT EVEN PAT_FEM!

Decided to get 2nd series of x-rays this week on both knees.  Results have floored me!

Good Knee: patella alta, MODERATE OA, loose bodies
Bad Knee: MOD OA, patella alta.

Now how/why did my knee go from mild to MODERATE in 10-mth span?  Why does my relatively painless knee have OA AND "loose bodies"

I'm only 38.  How can this be? What is going to happen to me?  I am scared sh**less.  I hate to have to go surgery route - I am afraid of coming out of it worse.  

Are those loose bodies tearing up my joint?  Aside from some crackling occassionally, that knee is pretty good.

I have to go fight with my primary care dr tomorrow to get a ref to an Ortho doc (would that be the right one?)  Primary doc just likes to pat me on the head and tell me to take it easy.

Please, please give me any advice or words of comfort.  I really freaked out today, my mom said I wasn't dying, but it sure feels close.
Posted by LucyC (LucyC), 27 March 2003

Hi

I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling very down at the moment and I'm not surprised. To have been running without problems for so long and then to find out you  have problems in your knees is a real blow. But don't worry, we're all here to support you. I'm afraid i can't help you with your diagnosis or explain whats going on with your knees, but I can tell you if you feel your primary doc isn't giving you the support you need, change him, go to another and keep going until you get the answers and support you want to hear.
Try to think positive, yes you have found out problems, but at least you have now while you're still relatively young and fit instead of years later when your knees may have broken down on you. Now is the time when any action taken will work since you're fit enough to cope with it.
I know what its like to feel so scared of the unknown, but we're here to help. You'll be fine, I have no doubt about that.
Keep us updated on how you get on with the doc, and remember be firm with them, you're the one with problems, you're the one who needs help.

Good luck and take care, it will get easier i promise.

Lucy
Posted by Rosa (Rosa), 27 March 2003

I can sympathise with your situation. My problems started when I was 30 - I am now 34, and still not back to running. Sharp pains and swelling were my first symptoms too. Just dont give up - are you going back to see the OS who dxed the OA?
I have heard that often problems can be evident in both knees, but only one may exhibit symptoms - who knows for what reason! MRIs arent always reliable, & Drs can interpret them differently (this is what happened with mine).
The patella alta I think could suggest the the knee-cap isnt tracking properly - and this could be a cause of pain and swelling.
Just persevere, and seek second opinions where necessary. Also read up as much as you can, so you can ask all the right questions - there are some good links on this board.
Good luck, & I hope you find a good Dr
Ros
Posted by enuff81020 (enuff81020), 27 March 2003

HI!!!!!

I can sympathize--my diagnosis just under three3 years ago was very much like yours, but I didn't have the good sense to nrealize how serious it was.  I've never been a runner, so I didn't have the added disappointment of losing a favorite activity.  However, since then I've had the loss of a lot of mobility and ability to do a lot of routine things...ugh.

Please be very careful in considering treatments and don't be really fast in doing surgery.  however, those nasty loose bodies can be a big problem if they start jamming in the joint and won't let you bend or extend the leg.  I was trapped on the second floor of the school I teach in for 6 hours waiting for my husband to get off work and find a way to get me down.

I hope that you can find some non-intrusive ways to feel better and get on with your life.  Good luck, Sylvia
Posted by luvd2run (luvd2run), 27 March 2003

Thanks for the words of encouragement.  I am going to see an orthopod next week.  He is highly recommended in my running club.  He is also a club runner and a very good one.

I am going to do all I can to avoid surgery.  I have gotten that advice from everyone.

Its odd, the knee with the loose bodies feels fine.  Full, smooth range of motion.  Some achiness under the cap, but then both my patellas are a little off, I have always known that.

Still scared, but I guess this is all I can do.

Thanks again.
Posted by Rosa (Rosa), 28 March 2003

Good luck with the appointment. What a bonus that s/he is a runner!
Let us know how you get on.
Ros
Posted by cm (cm), 13 April 2003

If your OS thinks the loose bodies are causing damage, I'd have the surgery.   I know it's a risk, but if it was me, and there was a chance that the surgery could get me back to the sports I love, I'd do it.

I just had my meniscus "cleaned up" through arthroscopic surgery this past Tuesday, and within a few days, my knee is feeling better than it has in months, if a little weak.    I feel very lucky for how smoothly my surgery went, but I was up walking within 30 minutes, and haven't taken so much as an aspirin since 24 hours post-op.   I know I still have quite a bit of rehab ahead to get my muscles back in shape, but I feel great!  (And can't wait to get back to skiing and mountain biking.)  While my situation was different, I think the concept could potentially be the same, since it is possible that the loose bodies are causing the arthritis to advance more quickly.  

Congrats on finding a doc who understands your passion for running!   Hope that you find a treatment to get you back out running soon!

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