Hey there. Happy Tuesday! I’m off to work early and I have a PT appt this morning. Good times.
This week may be my last two PT appointments and it got me thinking about my plans after this. I have a follow-up with the ortho right before Thanksgiving and I guess we will touch base with where I’m at then. I feel like my knee still isn’t doing well. I have periods where it feels really good and periods where I feel like I’m right back at square 1. I have spent the last 3 months resting, icing, taking anti-inflammatories and doing everything the doctor has suggested (swimming, PT, etc.). I just feel like the road I’m on isn’t really taking me anywhere.
Remember this? We haven’t spent time together since August 
When I was in Roanoke this past weekend, Allie’s boyfriend told me he was having a knee issue that was resolved by visiting a chiropractor. Apparently his hips were out of alignment, which caused his IT band to be over-stretched. This created an issue in his knee. He got his hips adjusted and has not had an issue since.
This got me thinking about where to go from here since my current treatment isn’t really going how I’d hoped.
These are some options that I have:
Get a cortisone injection: This has been brought up as an option at my ortho appointments. I’m not sure I want to do this because I think of it as putting a band-aid over the issue, although I’m definitely open to discussing it.
Continue with PT: I don’t want to say PT has been a lost cause because I *have* seen some improvement in my knee. It’s just frustrating when I feel good for a few days and then go back to feeling the way I did when this all started. Maybe I’m not patient enough. I also don’t know if continuing with PT is even an option at this point. We will have to talk about it this week.
See a knee specialist: I’m not too sure what my ortho will say at my next appointment but in September, he made it sound like he may refer me to someone else if I was still having issues by the time my follow-up rolled around. If this is the case then I would want to see a knee specialist.
Just chill out for a while: The holidays are coming up and maybe it would be good for me to just lay low until after Christmas and re-evaluate things then. I would continue to swim.
See a chiropractor: After hearing about Allie’s boyfriend’s experience, I’m open to this. It can’t hurt, right?
Try acupuncture: I considered this in the beginning but I was honestly convinced I had torn something in my knee initially and wanted to go the traditional route with my treatment. Now that I know that’s not the case, I’m open to trying acupuncture. Again, it can’t really hurt.
Have you ever dealt with a nagging injury that would not go away?
Does anyone have a chiropractor or acupuncture success story??
That is such a tough situation! At least you have a lot of options, although I can see how it would be very frustrating feeling like none of them is the best option.
My PT is going to talk to my doctor about some of the things he is seeing in our therapy sessions, so maybe my doctor will have some new options when I go for my follow-up. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
I totally feel your pain (literally). I have unexplained knee pain (that prevent me from running, etc.) and have dealt with it for over 3 years. I have had surgery, tried cortizone shots, tried experimental shots, done PT, rested, etc. You name it, I’ve tried it… and nothing has helped. It is SO frustrating! I have been thinking a lot lately about acupuncture as well. I’d be so interested to hear if you give it a try!
Wow, I’m so sorry that you have been through all of that. I cannot imagine dealing with that for 3 years! I hope you can find something to help :( I will be sure to post about whatever I decide to do next.
I’m so sorry to hear you are still dealing with a lot of knee pain. I had a lot of knee pain after my marathon last year and ended up doing a couple months of PT. Turns out my quad was dominantly strong and actually pulling my knee cap to the side. I had to strengthen other muscles in my legs to balance it out. I still ice it often, even though it hasn’t caused me any troubles since. I’ve heard great things about acupuncture… but it is so hard to wrap my head around. If it continues to hurt, I would definitely see a specialist.
What you are describing about your quad being dominant is exactly what PT has been working with me on. How long did you do PT before you saw an improvement?