Help, need ideas for non-impact activities

M

maureen

Cathlete
I am so upset, I have had knee pain since Dec., finally had MRI and was told I have bone marrow edema and osteonecrosis. No weight bearing for at least two months until I see the Dr again. He is not sure what caused this. I dont have access to a pool. Any ideas on how I can keep up cardio and any good floor work for legs. I just got them starting to shape up with PH and the PS series. Just when you think you get ahead there is always a
setback. It took me so long to see results in my legs. I would appreciate any ideas.
 
Hi Maureen! Sorry to hear of your injury. Please ask your doctor for specific exercise advise. Knee injuries are tricky. What is beneficial for one can be detrimental to another. Take care and good luck!
 
Thanks Cathe, my doctor wasnt very helpful, just said no-impact.I just dont want to lose the gains I have made.
 
Hi Maureen! One non-weight bearing cardio activity would be the stationary bike. As far as floor work, I'm not sure what your restrictions are. For instance, if I suggest to do floor work with an ankle weight on, this places stress on the knee joint to some degree. This amount of stress could be a detrimental situation for your knee or perhaps could be totally exceptable since you are not placing your own body weight on the knee. So you see, it is just not my place to guess.

Perhaps you could ask your doctor to give you the number of a physical therapist's office he/she recommends. Wish I could help you more.
 
Maureen...

Tough luck, friend. Sounds like a nasty diagnosis.
You might want to check out a recent thread on the "Ask Cathe" section called "Knees and Workouts". Theres a lot of discussion of knee pain, various exercises, knee braces, etc. There are a number of us out here in Cathe-land who have been through knee pain and survived. Are you taking pain meds? Has your doctor talked to you about the benefits of glucosamine/chondroitin supplementation? How about physical therapy? Has he discussed the potential for steroid injections into the knee or other therapy? Does he know why you've developed a necrosis of the bone? And what are his plans after your two-month imposed non-weight bearing time period?
Sometimes, having a better idea of what the future holds helps to operate positively in the present.
Personally, with my diagnosis of chondromalacia, I found quad strengthening for better muscular support of the joint helped immensely. Ask your doc about physical therapy, but make sure his mode of treatment is carefully laid out so the Physical therapist plans your exercise regime appropriately. As far as cardio and impact workouts, I found starting slowly on an elliptical machine was great for getting my heart rate up but minimized the dgree of flexion in the knee while allowing me to exercise without impact.
You have to listen to your body, make note of what behaviors bring on the knee pain, what makes it feel better or worse; then have a list of questions for your doctor next time you go in to see him. And, no matter what you think, no question is too silly or insignificant. The best patients are armed with knowledge, because it allows you to take some control over your progress and recovery. (I'm a nurse; believe me, I love teaching people how to manage their own health care, especially when they're motivated by their own need to know).
Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress...
Hugs,
Lynn Finn
 
Wow, thanks so much for your response. I have been working out since high school and I am 42. I am having a real hard time with this. My doctor does not know exactly what is going on. If I have not improved in 4 weeks he is going to do a bone scan. I did not have any specific injury, but it had been getting sore during step and kickboxing. I did have any injection in December.
It didnt help. I have constant burning, like under my knee cap is on fire. I could handle this better if I knew I could go back to my routines which I love. He has me on an anti-inflammatory for two weeks, no physical therapy. I had to argue with him to let use a stationary bike. I am doing upper body still and floor work with no weights. I just have to get out of this mood and move on. Thanks again.
 
I know it may not be very convenient, but what about SWIMMING and aqua aerobics? In fact, if it is not something you do often, maybe it would be a real shock to your system. Sorry you are having such problems. Jeanne
 
I would love to swim and do aqua aerobics. We dont have access to that in our town, but if this is long term I may check into
it in the next town. I usually drive around teenagers at night and go to their sports. I have always liked working out before they get up, but we all might have to make changes. I am a better person and mom when I work out. Plus my three kids realize
the importance of physical training and it helps them with their stresses throughout the day. Thanks.
 
Where I live, the County Community College has holds aqua aerobics at various high schools throughout the community. Maybe your area has something similar and you don't know about it. Or maybe (if your h.s. has a pool) there could be a way for you to use it. Just a thought. I'd be devestated if I couldn't workout. Jeanne
 
Maureen:

Madonna swears by her fantastic bod through 4 hours yoga a day. Having three kids will not permit that, but think about yoga as a possibility. There are many different types out there and tons of tapes to cater for this. Bryan Kest is supposed to be good in the power yoga department. It will help you maintain strength and flexibility at least and deal with the emotional disappointment you are going through right now.

And as other have said, swimming is fabulous: I always used swimming training as my alternative back in my running days when I over strained my knees. I would swear by it.

Can someone else help out with some of the kids' related tasks to free you up to go find a pool in a neighbouring town?

Good luck

Clare
 
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