Hi,
I am new to this board (but a regular on the back pain board) and i am just not sure what to do about my knees. I am 23 and just had my second back surgery within 3 years. After my second one i went to physical therapy and my knees started to feel funny, as soon as i started doing squats. I stopped them right away, and my pt says i have my patella off track on both knees. She said that is also called chondromalasia (sp?). I now only walk to strenghten my quads and don't do much else. I am thinking of buying glucosamine today, and hoping that will help. My pt says as soon as i am stonger my knees should fall back into place. Has anyone ever gotten better??

I am getting very discouraged...I am supposed to be walking a great deal for my back recovery, but i can only walk 1 mile a day. I also can't take any anti inflamatories until i am fully fused in my back, but i know that would relieve some pain.

Can anyone offer me some good advice??

Alison



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March 18, 2003: Anterior Interbody fusion with BAK cages (L5-S1)
November 1, 2003: Discogram. DDD, and confirms L5-S1 pain. Disc is torn.
May 4, 2001: Microdistectomy and Laminectomy. (L5-S1)
April 2001: Cortizone injections, no pain relief.
Dec 25, 1999: Fell and hit lower back against couch frame.

bump......

Hi Alison,

I have chrondomalacia of both knees. It hurts so bad. Your lucky you can walk a mile. I can't walk more than 2 mins.then I have to go sit down. I walk with a forearm crutch now all the time. I am having an arthoscopic sx on the 28th. My orthopod said that they is only a 40% chance that my knee will improve from the sx., but it is better than no chance at all!!!!
I will give you some advice. I am sad that you are so young. First, do not climb stairs, do NOT squat down, or bend your knees while sitting. Always keep them straight out. Second, see if there is something wrong with the way your patella tracks, because if it is they may be able to do a lateral release and fix your tracking problem. Mine track fine, but the cartalige or bone is all torn up, so this kind of sx would not be good for me. I am 45 years old and I got this from jumping up and down from a low chair at work. Oh yes, you must always sit in a chair with arms! Use your arms to lift your body out of the chair, NOT your knees. This is how it happens.

I hope this helps you or someone else.
Take care.
Katie

Katie,
Thanks for the input!! I decided to make an appointment to see an Orthopedist, on the 21st. I hope he can help me out. I'll let you know what he says.

Thanks again for your reply!!


Alison


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------------------

March 18, 2003: Anterior Interbody fusion with BAK cages (L5-S1)
November 1, 2003: Discogram. DDD, and confirms L5-S1 pain. Disc is torn.
May 4, 2001: Microdistectomy and Laminectomy. (L5-S1)
April 2001: Cortizone injections, no pain relief.
Dec 25, 1999: Fell and hit lower back against couch frame.