the good news

[fish]

It seems that the MRI does not show any tears on the meniscus.

I have googled the subject, and it sounds like the symptoms are not uncommon, but there is no clear answer.

So now I have to put together a program to work all the muscles that may be involved in the problem. I know that most of the key groups are relatively strong. I suspect, and it has been suggested, that there is an imbalance.

The other real possibility is overuse, but I don't think so.

So it will be strengthing, stretching, and massage.

I am going to get rollers for the massage. It will be a very dark day before I let any physical therapist touch me again.

Keep the faith, and keep posting,

fish

[Smoke]

Glad to hear things aren't as bad as they could have been. I'm sure you will come around. Yeah,...not so sure I'd have too much confidence in a PT if I were you either.

[fish]

So, eval of MRI by Ortho MD shows no obvious damage from the PT.

MD says I should go to a different PT.

Here is an informative article. Actually, a must read.

members.lycos.co.uk/shiryu01/Pdf/Green%202005.pdf

Also learning lots about self myofascial release technique.

Also taking 1000mg aleive (sp) daily.

The problem with all this is that so many applied remedies make it hard to know what is working.

I think cause is probably:
overuse (see article) +
prior compromise of structure, viz. broken left femur and numerous quite serious ankle sprains (see article) +
years of chronic systemic inflamation via periodontal disease.

Remedy is probably:
RICE to eliminate inflamation. Bad teeth are, of course, gone. +
SMFR +
exercise program to re-balance muscles +
Careful attention to mechanics.

Possibly no remedy.

And why have there been no posts from the able - bodied women ? I have an excuse .

Keep the faith,

fish

[Smoke]

I'm Lurking about here Fish. Not doing much in the way of workouts lately..Holiday weekend, beer, you get the picture. Trying to get back on track but it isn't going very well.

[fish]

Too true, Smoke, it is hard to get the motor running.

I have been to the PT twice, now.

After a 10 minute no resistance warm up on the bike, they have me doing 2x15 one legged bridges with a blue band, 2x15 clam shells with a blue band, ham stretches, hip flexor stretches, and 2x15 body weight parallel squats.

YeGads ! Is it so bad that I need help with stuff that simple ?

They said they wanted me to come 2x per week. I said OK. Then they schedlued the sessions 2 days apart. I said NoK unless they could give me a clinical justification for the short - long duration. They couldn't.

So I will go once a week, they will watch and give me an assignment for the next week, and I will do 2-a-days of what ever that assignment is.

I just hate this. But it could be so much worse.

Keep the faith,

fish

[Smoke]

Did ya give the new PT the basic ground rules....DON"T TOUCH ME! lol

They want you to go 2 x's so they can get paid for that....I hate our system! Greedy Bastards!

I hope your able to rehab this Fish....in the meantime make sure your doing other stuff, work on other muscle groups...bet you can get some awesome bi's & tri's...be sure to altenate the hands when raising the beer. lol. I can imagine how discouraging all of this is. Keep your chin up...I be here for ya.

[fish]

Thanks, Smoke.

I am incorporating push-pulls for the upper body, viz. military presses & pull ups, chest presses & rows.

These are done on the TG, so the presses & rows involve the front and rear core chain as stabilizers and the military presses do not load the knees.

And I am cutting calories too, since I am burning fewer.

Because of the long term periodontal problem, I had asked the first MD to do blood work to check for systemic inflamation which might involve the knees and elbows, but I learned from the second MD that the tests were not done.

Since the second MD had me on a heavy course of anti-inflamatories to keep the swelling down on the injury, I can't get the blood work done right now.

One gains great empathy for those souls who have undefined health problems. If I improve, as I expect, I will not know if it is because of the rest or because of any specific treatment.

I suspect it will be the rest. The body is wonderful at healing if left to its own devices.

Take two asprin and call me in the morning.

doctorfish