Knee news

Work has been slow for a few weeks so I've been trying to take care of my various aches and pains. I had a phone consult with a physio (free through work) and received exercises for my mid-back (injured when I lifted and shifted pavers, reinjured carrying a heavy case in London/Cornwall). I visited my family doctor for help with hemmorrhoids, possibly from hiking in Cornwall, and received free medication on the NHS. I had another free phone consult re. my cranky knees, leading to a referral to a physio. I had my knees x-rayed a while ago and the radiologist recommended a physio in Newtownards who works with runners and golfers, she said she had been to him with knee problems. Of course he doesn't take the insurance I have through work, so I went to him anyway and paid cash.

The very good news is he diagnosed runner's knee, when the patella does not move over the knee joint on the intended path. He said I have weak hips--common among runners--and tight calves. The combination means my legs don't track properly, creating irritation behind my knee caps in the form of bursa sacs. I remember this from the 2008 bike accident when my legs were crushed. The physio said if I strengthen my hips and stretch my calves, I can run for many years more. I was so excited to hear this. I had feared meniscus issues and surgery.

I miss running. It is good for my mental health as well as my physical condition. The other big news is I go to four day weeks this week--I'm off this Friday and all subsequent Fridays. Very excited by this. Maybe over the winter I can swim regularly and train on my bike stand, as well as run, then try a tri next year! We shall see. Random photo of my pet (used in the endearing sense):

I saw the physio a week ago. I see him again in a week. The challenge is to be able to do three sets of 25 leg lifts, with resistance, on either side. So far I've reached 25, 15, 12 before my hips cry out for mercy. I'm also doing 90 second calf stretches, times three, and four back exercises. All very tedious, yet the price for remaining active into my 60s--small price.

10 August.