(no subject)
The cartilage in your knees is like the cushioning in your shoes, except when you wear out your cartilage, there is nothing that can be done to replace it. The cartilage in my right knee is worn out. The surgeon says it is doubtful that any surgery is going to ameliorate the swelling or alleviate the pain. All signs seem to point to osteo-arthritis. I just turned 25.
I'm taking a glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM supplement and icing my knee constantly. These things seem to help somewhat. As soon as my hernia repair heals I'm going to start swimming in hopes that strengthening the muscles around my knee will help with the pain and restore some stability. I'm hoping I will eventually be able to return to judo (perhaps it will have to be in a limited capacity, but I'm hoping I will still be able to compete at some level), but right now I am more concerned with basic quality of life stuff like being able to walk and generally being mobile enough to go travelling with my wife.
There was a friend of mine who said that in high school he found out that he'd worn out all the cartilage in his knee. He had to give up soccer. A student of mine who was once a gymnast has arthritis in her knees too. She said matter of factly that everyday activities like standing, or sitting for long periods, cause her pain. I have now joined the club of young people with osteo-arthritis. How could we have known high-impact sports would do this to us? It's unfortunate that I never got into competitive swimming.
As somone whose identity is so bound up with being an active person and an athlete, this is completely and utterly devastating.