Well things have not worked out very well at all. Whereas several people I know have benefited from arthroscopy for meniscus tears, my own knee is much worse than it was before the 'op. I was OK after Mow Cop, however a five mile run the following Wednesday put paid to any thoughts I may have had about a proper (or any other) return to running.
The following day I could barely bend my knee more than ten degrees, Although the limited movement improved, since then there have been relatively few days when even walking doesn't cause my knee to pop, click and nag. Occasionally, an awkward foot landing will cause me enough pain to wince (or swear out loud).
I went to see the consultant again. He recommended an anti inflammatory injection direct into the knee joint and is still optimistic about my chances of making a full recovery. I don't dare allow myself any optimism, in the three years that I have been affected by the condition I have experienced only a substantial decline in mobility notwithstanding physiotherapy, orthoses and surgery.
Despite reservations about throwing 'good money after bad', I decided to take the advice and have the injection. It seems plausible that mild inflammation is pushing the knee out of alignment, if the knee is misaligned movement may cause aggravation and perpetuate the swelling. Any hope that this latest work might be 'under guarantee' was optimistic, the consultation was £70 and the injection £220. While I would be willing to spend my life savings to be able to run again, I
cannot justify funding myself for any further treatment without a more or less guaranteed outcome.
I had the injection this morning, the business was fuss free, didn't really hurt, and was over in less than a minute. I was told to hang around in the waiting room for fifteen minutes afterwards, 'just in case', and was then free to go. I was able to drive the thirty miles to work and was in for about nine thirty, only about an hour and a half late, a lot better than the half day off I had anticipated. I can start running again next week if all goes as it should.
