Knee Problem Diagnosed; Next Steps in Eksusize

This morning I went to see my othopedist to hear the results of my MRI and determine what to do going forward. The worst case scenario, according to the doctor, was a tear. The worst case scenario, according to me, was that the MRI would show a perfectly normal, happy knee with no injuries.

Some of you might think I am nuts, but I am sure some of you understand. I want there to be an explanation for my pain. I have had so many tests over the last couple of years with my stomach and all, and the ones that never failed to get me down are the ones that showed nothing was wrong. If nothing is wrong, there is nothing definitive you can do to help. It might not even be real!

And today I received information that avoided the worst case scenarios of both the doctor and myself. The MRI showed no tear (sigh of relief) AND it showed that there is, in fact, something wrong with my knee. I have pes anserine bursitis and intra-articular ganglion. My pain is explained.

According to eorthopod.com, “bursitis of the knee occurs when constant friction on the bursa causes inflammation. The bursa is a small sac that cushions the bone from tendons that rub over the bone. Bursae can also protect other tendons as tissues glide over one another. Bursae can become inflamed and irritated causing pain and tenderness.”

And from med.umich.edu, “the pes anserine bursa is located on the inner side of the knee just below the knee joint. Tendons of three muscles attach to the shin bone (tibia) over this bursa. These muscles act to bend the knee, bring the knees together, and cross the legs.”

How did I get bursitis? From all the eksusize I have been doing over the last few months. I used to exercise regularly on the elliptical. About 6 months ago I decided to get into running, and started jogging on the treadmill. I had hated spin the few times I’d done it, until the 3 day MLK weekend the boy came to my gym with me and we did a spin class every day.  I wore my HRM to spin for the first time and learned to pace myself. After that, I was hooked.

Three spin classes in three days went from being this huge accomplishment to no big deal, as I started spinning 4 or 5 days a week. There was even a day I went twice. Sometimes I would spin in the evening after work and wake up early the next morning to spin again. I had fun, I loved it. I began to look forward to the familiar music each teacher played. I enjoyed each instructor’s style as they each differed from each other. I knew that on Mondays, I’d get some jumps and a high heart rate. Tuesdays were endurance days; the instructor would push me — and make me actually WANT — to push as hard as I could at a high resistance in the sitting position for minutes at a time. Wednesdays were fun as the instructor did a wonderful combination of standing and sitting climbs and would section the class off into groups for standing sprints, one at a time. Thursdays were chill but challenging, as that instructor played more rock music — which I loved and truly looked forward to.

I even became familiar with other instructors who I got to take every now and again or who subbed for one of my own. They, too, each had something wonderful to bring to the table stationary bike. For example, there is one who has an amazing and inspiring story that I had absolutely no idea about during her classes. She’s the most upbeat, happy and lively instructor I have ever seen and makes class fun and different with lots of 4 beat jumps and turns. Or another instructor who is the only one to ever get my “calories burned” on my HRM to hit 500 during a 45 minute class.

The point is, I loved spin. I loved the variations between each class. I did it often. Additionally, I began treadmill running — but too much too fast, as I was doing Carrots ‘N’ Cake’s 30 minute and 45 minute treadmill runs after only a couple weeks of easing myself into it. I was working out all the time for months.

Looking back, I guess it is no big mystery why my knee became inflamed. I’ve had the pain on the outside of my left knee for many years now, so I understand and expect that one to come and go. But I was experiencing a new pain during spin and running and generally all the time. A new, bad pain. And I’ve mentioned that the upper outside part of my right thigh always hurts so badly when I run outside — in fact, it started literally 2 minutes into my first outdoor run ever — well, guess what the doctor said? That is the exact location of a bursa. I most likely have bursitis in my upper right thigh as well. 

So what do I do for this?

I take Naproxen twice a day for ten days. I ice my knee twice a day. I go tp Physical Therapy twice a week for a month, possibly more. And, I cut back on exercise. That is like fingernails on chalk to my ears. The doctor told me, “If you usually spin for an hour, cut it bacm to 20 or 30 minutes.” Now, I know me. In fact, me was in spin class just two days ago. And when the pain started happening, and became increasingly worse as I  felt it both above and below my knee, shooting down my leg — guess who DIDN’T leave the class? That’s right. Me.

The way I see it, I pay a lot of money for my gym membership (I go to a very fancy gym). I want to get the most out of that money — and my workouts — as possible. And since I know me so well, I knew what I had to do.

I told the doctor that with what I pay for the gym (and as soon as I told him what I pay, he knew exactly which gym I was talking about!) and said that I would not be cutting back if I am paying this much. The only option of sparing my knee further pain is to put a hold on my membership. He understood and wrote me a note. Different from the fake doctor’s note I wrote in high school to get out of dance for a week.

I have the note. I have the form the gym emailed me. The only thing stopping me from faxing it is my reluctance to give up something I have actually — surprisingly — grown to love. And of course, the girly girl that I am, I am concerned about gaining weight. I was spinning, and burning, a lot. Now what?

(1) Warm weather is approaching in NYC. That means a lot more walking (knee sleeves on, of course). If pain starts, I can always hop in a cab, on a subway or on a bus.

(2) The boy’s apartment building has a gym. I can always take it easy there by doing the elliptical lightly (knee sleeve on, stop if I feel pain) as well as any weight machines that don’t make my knees bend. Luckily, the boy recently taught me how to use these.

(3) I am strongly considering joining Exhale for a month of Core Fusion. As you know, I was already toying with the idea of trying it out for a month to see what kind of effect it has. This is my chance. The downside? Other than the price tag, there are some plies and balancing on one bent leg in Core Fusion and lunges in Core Fusion Sport. The upside? There are ways around these moves to avoid stress on the knee — and the instructors are always happy to help you with these as they want you to get the most out of the class in the safest way.

And of course, I will wear my knee sleeves and stop any move that causes pain. I have never felt any pain during or after these classes before, so I am optimistic. Also, the entire point of Physical Therapy is to stretch and strengthen the muscles around my knee. These classes specifically stretch and strengthen the hamstrings and quads.

Why Exhale over Physique 57 or The Body? Two main factors — the location is better for me and I prefer the large classroom and spacious locker and changing facilities at Exhale. My experiences there have been wonderful — and the boy is likely to come with me to Core Fusion Sport.

However, I haven’t faxed the note yet. I feel some anxiety about actually doing this. Once I send, there is no turning back for a month. I need a push. Someone push me. Tell me it’s okay.

Here is some further information on Bursitis, from the sites mentioned above.

What causes the problem?
Overuse of the hamstrings, especially in athletes with tight hamstrings is a common cause of goosefoot. Runners are affected most often. Improper training, sudden increases in distance run, and running up hills can contribute to this condition.

How long will the effects last?
Pain from pes anserine bursitis usually goes away within a few weeks. You need to stop doing the activities that cause pain until your knee has healed. If you continue doing activities that cause pain, your symptoms will return and it will take longer to recover. (If I feel any pain during a move in Core Fusion, I will stop doing that move)

I bought this and used it for the first time yesterday:

As far as intra-articular ganglion, that is a fluid collection in my knee joint. Don’t know why it happens, but it certainly can contribute to my pain.

In four weeks, I will return to my orthopedist so we can review how I am doing. If I am still not better, he can give me a cortisone injection. We will take it from there.

Also, the doctor said that my shoulder should have healed by now after my bone marrow edema diagnosis months ago. He said that if it still hurts when I see him next month, I will get a second MRI of the shoulder.

Birds
Off topic, but has anyone else noticed that birds no longer have a fear of humans? Over the past week, birds have flown so close to my head and face that I felt it, and walked right up to my feet. What’s with that!

Fusha
You might remember the horrific experience the boy and I had at Fusha West a couple weeks ago. The other night the boy was out and I decided to take that opportunity to give them a second chance. I wanted to try one of the rolls I didn’t get last week but that sounded great to me. I couldn’t decide between two, so I ordered them both:

Golden Dragon
eel & avocado inside-out, wrapped in fresh mango & tobiko on top

Sweet Sensation
lobster salad & seaweed salad inside w. strawberry & wasabi mayo on top

They looked amazing, as you can see.

While the Golden Dragon was very good, the Sweet Sensation was gross. The strawberries were the only good part. The inside had a taste that was not at all like lobster, or even lobster mixed with mayo. It was a taste of something gone bad. Really bad. So gross. It came with pistachio ice cream colored wasabi mayo, which sadly didn’t help as that wasn’t as good as it sounds either. And while the Golden Dragon was good, it wasn’t amazing. It didn’t live up to its potential. The roll I got the last time I was there was much better. But I doubt I will eat there ever again. Big disappointment.

Coming Up
Tonight Missy and I try The Nalini Method! (I will go easy on my knee, I promise.) Tomorrow I see a new doctor who specializes in my specific problems for another opinion. My own GI recommended I see him. I am looking forward to hearing what he says. And tomorrow night, Missy, Melanie and I will gather to watch a topless Bethenny Frankel in Hollywood Hills, 90028. She’s popular. She’s a killer.