The Four Year Plan

aquinn

Is it visibly swollen? Any idea what happened? I'd suggest ice and obviously nurofen to any ache.

spaceylou

I wouldn't say its very swollen but if you feel it and compare with the 'healthy' knee it is a wee bit more puffy but nothing remarkable - certainly not something you would notice by just glancing at my legs.

aquinn

Weird that it hurts whilst sitting. Are feet flat on the ground and chair at correct height? Feet not crossed?

spaceylou

Well yeah that could be part of the problem - feet are flat on ground but to have chair correct height for me, makes it wrong height for my desk so I do end up slouching a bit...

aquinn

Can the height of desk be changed?

http://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-an-Ergonomically-Correct-Workstation

spaceylou

Sadly no and with a mere 20 days left in the office before I depart for pastures new, I can't imagine they will start paying attention to my requests for a better desk.

Still though, the knee is not the fault of the desk, although it seems to not be helping today...going to depart early and go home and ice it; rest it; and direct cleaning of the house from the couch

spaceylou

Wednesday 5
Knee still dodge so decided to rest some more...stretching etc

Thursday 6 - Friday 7
There was never going to be any running done here with stupid o'clock flight to London, a tube strike, two long days of meetings and an evening flight back - on the plus side, love how handy city airport is!

Saturday 8 - Sunday 9

Knee had been feeling better by Thursday morning but by the time I got round to thinking about running on Saturday afternoon it was feeling delicate and I let laziness take over which lasted through a sugar high from kiddies party Sunday and general time escaping me!

Total for Week 5k

aquinn

Not really a great week then. How's the knee now? Ready for this week?

spaceylou

aquinn wrote: »

Not really a great week then. How's the knee now? Ready for this week?

An understatement aquinn! It still doesn't feel 100 per cent - think whatever is wrong is in the back of the knee which is why sitting inappropriately is bothersome. Rest definitely helped but last night sitting on couch with laptop bothered it so will have to be careful for the next few days...and see what it does.

Plan on escaping work on time this evening and going for a run in park near home so that I will be on grass at least, also means I can do loops - plan is close to 5k but can cut it short if knee decides to get angry!

spaceylou

Monday 10

Knee wasn't 100 per cent but wasn't so bad either and cycle home from work didn't bother it so decided to chance a run...had plans of being sensible but as the first 3/4 km was more about my legs feeling really heavy generally rather than any knee issues, I decided I didn't fancy loops of the park so skipped that turn and headed for the canal instead - easy 5k @ avg 6:13

Followed run with stretching, JD Challenge (back to day 1) and foam rolling. Knee not overly happy - if I try and foam roll my left calf, it hurts! And not the usually :eek: ooh there's a knot kinda discomfort you get foam rolling, more the oh crap something isn't right here...I suspect that its not the calf muscle but the tendons/ligaments/thingys that attach the calf muscle into my knee that are the problem but maybe the calf is a bit weak as well.

Tuesday 11

Today is scheduled rest day. Did some strengthening exercises this morning for my back and foam rolled (not the left calf). Knee seems okay when moving, and cycle into work was okay as well but sitting at desk now it is sore. If not better by tomorrow after a full day of rest I am going to bite the bullet and call the physio for an appointment.

Was hoping to swim at lunchtime but now I am not sure

spaceylou

Darn physio is on holidays...and when she is back, I'll be on holidays so appointment booked for Thursday afternoon with her colleague

aquinn

Not improving then? Did you manage to swim?

spaceylou

I skipped it, not sure if it would have done harm or good, if the pain were in the front of my knee I would have gone, but its in the back, like as if the bits that connect my calf muscle to my knee joint are sprained or torn - worse today, whole leg is starting to feel achy but guess that is from unaffected muscles over-compensating for the dodge bit.

Would love to be one of those people whose body doesn't fall apart constantly tis very annoying!

spaceylou

As I was beginning to suspect but didn't want to admit - knee was being caused by back. God darn back - I am too young for this sh!t!

It is so disheartening. No running for two weeks...also for the next few days/week no long walks, no sitting or standing for too long; minimal cycling; swimming only on back; certain stretches I am not to do for now as well; no pilates...:(:(:(:(

And when I was telling the other half, who is great in most other ways the conversation went something like this:

Me: I can't run for two week
HM: Sure, that's fine (with relief in his voice)
Me: Not really....proceeds to silently plot against him and his lack of understanding

Firedance

spaceylou wrote: »

As I was beginning to suspect but didn't want to admit - knee was being caused by back. God darn back - I am too young for this sh!t!

It is so disheartening. No running for two weeks...also for the next few days/week no long walks, no sitting or standing for too long; minimal cycling; swimming only on back; certain stretches I am not to do for now as well; no pilates...:(:(:(:(

And when I was telling the other half, who is great in most other ways the conversation went something like this:

Me: I can't run for two week
HM: Sure, that's fine (with relief in his voice)
Me: Not really....proceeds to silently plot against him and his lack of understanding

that's tough SL, none of us like being off the road, don't kill me now but its for the best (hides behind desk..) and hopefully you'll be back Faster, Stronger, Fitter... the best of luck with the rehab

aquinn

Oh no, tell me more. How did swollen knee come from back pain and mean no running? Am sorry to hear that.

My recent sports therapist visit told me tight hips were pulling on my back making it sore and tight.

spaceylou

aquinn wrote: »

Oh no, tell me more. How did swollen knee come from back pain and mean no running? Am sorry to hear that.

My recent sports therapist visit told me tight hips were pulling on my back making it sore and tight.

The knee pain is partly being caused by tightness in calf and quads which is in turn being caused by pelvis being 'off' which is caused by dodgy lower back - apparently the joints my lower back were stuck (not sure that is a technical term). Pain also partly related to the path the sciatica nerve takes as it travels down the leg but again the root cause is in the back.

She reckons that the stiffness/stuck joints has been there since the flare up at the start of May and it was just a matter of time before it came back to bite me no matter how good I was being - and in fairness I was only being good 85 per cent of the time.

Once inflamed and angry, it is important to rest to allow it all to calm down, and then re-commence rehab and gently get back into any impact activities, which of course running is. Have another appointment Monday evening...won't get the go ahead to run, but am hoping that I will feel better after it and will be able to go to a pilates class next week.

spaceylou

Firedance wrote: »

that's tough SL, none of us like being off the road, don't kill me now but its for the best (hides behind desk..) and hopefully you'll be back Faster, Stronger, Fitter... the best of luck with the rehab

Thanks FD, I know you are right - just feeling very sorry for myself. Gave myself until noon to wallow in despair and self pity but shall start being more positive and do as I am told to come back stronger.

On the bright side - its Friday and the sun is shining (well somewhere behind those clouds; but it is definitely brighter than earlier)

Bungy Girl

Sorry to hear that Spaceylou. I can empathise having had (more than) my fair share of back issues. Send me a PM if you want a recommendation for an osteopath. Whichever way your rehab takes you, you'll be back out the other side stronger. It'll take as long as it takes but it will be worth it to get back running again.

spaceylou

Bungy Girl wrote: »

Sorry to hear that Spaceylou. I can empathise having had (more than) my fair share of back issues. Send me a PM if you want a recommendation for an osteopath. Whichever way your rehab takes you, you'll be back out the other side stronger. It'll take as long as it takes but it will be worth it to get back running again.

Thanks BG. I've never been to an osteopath, how does it differ from physio?

aquinn

spaceylou wrote: »

Thanks FD, I know you are right - just feeling very sorry for myself. Gave myself until noon to wallow in despair and self pity but shall start being more positive and do as I am told to come back stronger.

On the bright side - its Friday and the sun is shining (well somewhere behind those clouds; but it is definitely brighter than earlier)

Go shopping, that's what I did

I hope you are ok and it's a short lay-off which is good and hopefully no longer. Are you allowed swim? Would that help tightness?

spaceylou

Am allowed to swim backwards AQuinn - but today I am in lots of pain so not pushing it - tomorrow I shall try get into the pool, won't be able to lie in bed long after I wake up so might as well be productive; maybe I'll go shopping too

Bungy Girl

spaceylou wrote: »

Thanks BG. I've never been to an osteopath, how does it differ from physio?

Just when you mentioned the stuck joints I thought it might be worth the suggestion. Osteopaths specialise in joint manipulation. It's an odd, but in my experience, painless treatment. Works for me anyway. Obviously it's your back so I wouldn't go with a randomer off the internet. Maybe ask your physio about it ? Happy to recommend someone if you go down that route.

annapr

spaceylou wrote: »

Thanks BG. I've never been to an osteopath, how does it differ from physio?

It's a madey-up, non certified quack discipline (sorry, couldn't resist)

spaceylou

Bungy Girl wrote: »

Just when you mentioned the stuck joints I thought it might be worth the suggestion. Osteopaths specialise in joint manipulation. It's an odd, but in my experience, painless treatment. Works for me anyway. Obviously it's your back so I wouldn't go with a randomer off the internet. Maybe ask your physio about it ? Happy to recommend someone if you go down that route.

annapr wrote: »

It's a madey-up, non certified quack discipline (sorry, couldn't resist)

I sense some differing opinions on this one

I think I am of the opinion that the person regardless of the profession is the important ingredient there are some shocking physios out there and some epic ones, and I guess it would be the same for osteopaths/chiropractors/doctors etc etc.

Holidays are in ten days so I might stick with what I know for now but will PM you for details anyway BG, information is power!

But I think you two should debate it out anyway - I need the entertainment

annapr

spaceylou wrote: »

I sense some differing opinions on this one

I think I am of the opinion that the person regardless of the profession is the important ingredient there are some shocking physios out there and some epic ones, and I guess it would be the same for osteopaths/chiropractors/doctors etc etc.

Holidays are in ten days so I might stick with what I know for now but will PM you for details anyway BG, information is power!

But I think you two should debate it out anyway - I need the entertainment

I was only winding BG up, honest...

Bungy Girl

annapr wrote: »

I was only winding BG up, honest...

I wasn't biting

spaceylou

annapr wrote: »

I was only winding BG up, honest...

Bungy Girl wrote: »

I wasn't biting

You guys are no fun!

spaceylou

In pain all weekend, physio again this evening, really really wish it was my usual physio instead of her substitute! Have felt no improvement and to be honest, I was worse coming out on Thursday than I was going in...

Whatever about running, starting to fear this will impact on my holidays

Firedance

spaceylou wrote: »

In pain all weekend, physio again this evening, really really wish it was my usual physio instead of her substitute! Have felt no improvement and to be honest, I was worse coming out on Thursday than I was going in...

Whatever about running, starting to fear this will impact on my holidays

Best of luck SL. Let us know how it goes & what she says wont you?