I have unfortunately been troubled with bad knees for a while. I was diagnosed with Chondromalacia well over 15 years ago. That means that the cartilage behind my patella is non-existent. Because of this, I have to wear knee braces whenever I know I’m going to be doing something extensive. Like box jumps or weighted squats. And sometimes not so extensive — like dancing or walking up the stairs.
I’ve also had to have therapy off and on to strengthen the muscles and tendons around the knee. Using a rainbow of bands around my ankles or hips and core exercises to tighten the tummy. I’ve had to adjust all kinds of workout moves in order to keep the knees calm and happy. All in an attempt to be able to do day to day activities with little pain.
As I’ve gotten older, there have been more and more knee issues presented. Not only with the chondromalacia, but with arthritis and joint narrowing. All of which can cause pain by simply turning to the left or right at any given time. The creaking of my knees as I walk down the steps is louder than any loose boards to be found under the carpeting. The knees click and crunch and pop and the tendons catch on every bone spur that has developed in the joint.
Which leads to my most recent fun find — a cartilage fracture.
As stated, I’ve had to modify most activities to accomodate my known knee pain. So, how I could do any activity to cause a cartilage fx is foreign to me. But, here I am!
But let me tell you why this new knee diagnosis is so upsetting. I have never run track, played basketball, lacrosse, soccer, took ballet, gymnastics or dance, nor have I jumped hurdles. I have absolutely no idea how I have come to have such bad knees. It really upsets me that this is my unexplained plight.
You hear of elderly men having knee surgery because of an old football injury or a woman who used to ski in competitions needing one. Folks who have spent some years engaged in high impact activities. So why do I fit into this? I’ve done nothing of that sort.
I am trying not to let it get me down too much. Especially now with the threat of surgery looming in my future. I will keep moving day by brace and therapy day and see what happens.
But I don’t find it fair.
elesjackson 