A few weeks ago, I decided to do a charity walk in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Apart from raising money for a very worthy cause, the training that would be required would also motivate me to get my arse moving – technically, it’s more a case of getting my legs moving but you know what I mean.
To this end, I have upped my walking mileage (not too difficult as I wasn’t doing much) and have clocked weekly totals of 13, 13, 10, 11 and 18 miles.
I didn’t think that I was doing too much but my body disagreed – specifically my knees. Now, my right knee has been giving me gyp for years and I can manage the pain with a combination of paracetamol, ibuprofen and Voltarol cream.
However, the other decided to come out in sympathy. and to make matters more interesting, it’s not the same kind of pain.
My left one is very sore on the inside of the knee so when lying down, I find it very difficult to get comfortable so my sleep suffers. I tried the same regime as the right but it just doesn’t cut the mustard.
The pain go so bad that I had to resort to contacting the doctors’ and went in to see what he could suggest.
After checking me over, the doctor explained that there were three steps to be tried in order starting with exercises to strengthen the knees. I was given these exercises years ago and I sort of do these most days.
Next was an injection into the knee of an anti-inflammatory. This is the stage that I’m at and I need to visit the Knee Clinic for an assessment and hopefully a jab (or two). This cortisone injection should bring the inflammation down and hence relieve the pain and should last anything unto six months.
If and/or when the injections don’t work, we’re into the realms of knee replacement surgery with a rather prolonged recovery period.
In the meantime, the doctor has prescribed a stronger oral inflammatory (to be taken instead of the ibuprofen) and this has helped. A couple of days of taking it easy has almost left me pain-free.
I still need to get some mileage in so that I can complete the MS charity walk but I need to build up gradually. Getting on the (virtual) bike a bit more should help with mobility.