A year since my accident

[AJM]

Crikey its been year since I had my "awfully big crash", cant quite believe it !
Thank goodness I made it back out on ski's again this season (not without its frustrations though) now I have to re set and focus on my walking as I still cant stand for long periods of time and the furthest I've managed to walk is 1 kilometer and even then I've paid for it over the following few days.
From what I understand the TPF is healed (although sometimes it aches) and also my ankle is feeling better but the torn meniscus is still an issue so I'm off to the specialist again in a few weeks.
They're talking injections which I'm not sure I'm happy about but I'll go along and see what they say.
Has anyone else had injections that could give me some feedback ? Cortisone, Hyaluronic Acid, Platelet .....

 

[Jilly]

I had meniscus repair on my left knee. I've had cortisone and Euflexa on the other. Euflexa is synthetic synovial fluid to lubricate your joint. All this was 8 years ago. Still walking, still skiing.

 

[Divegirl]

@AJM - I have had numerous cortisone shots in a thumb and both knees for bone-on-bone arthritis and my foot for sesamoiditis (who knew 2 teeny weeny bones could be so painful). Due another health issue, Cortisone is the only anti-inflammatory I can have except for Tylenol which does squat for inflammation. Cortisone works for me - it knocks the inflammation down and as a result any residual fluid/swelling I'm holding due to inflammation also dissipates. I am someone who will also get a slight systemic benefit - an injection in my foot will also tone down my knee pain. This summer was the summer of Cortisone for me - thumb, knees and foot. Thumb - I can knit, cross-stitch, shift my bike and use a knife again w/ little to no pain, knees - I spent 2 weeks walking and biking around Europe w/ little to no pain (stairs killed though) and my foot - I can wear shoes including high heels and walk properly. I try to go at least a year between shots.

When I first injured a knee - torn meniscus - my surgeon didn't want to do the Synavisc shot as it only has 50% chance of working and my insurance wouldn't cover it and it was expensive - approx $2500.

 

[AJM]

(stairs killed though)

Yes stairs are a big problem, esp going down ! Luckily we dont have them at home and I managed to avoid them at the ski area.

When I first injured a knee - torn meniscus - my surgeon didn't want to do the Synavisc shot as it only has 50% chance of working and my insurance wouldn't cover it and it was expensive - approx $2500.

Yikes that is expensive esp as it only had a 50% chance of working
It will be interesting to see what the specialist suggests.

 

[Rashika]

Crikey its been year since I had my "awfully big crash", cant quite believe it !
Thank goodness I made it back out on ski's again this season (not without its frustrations though) now I have to re set and focus on my walking as I still cant stand for long periods of time and the furthest I've managed to walk is 1 kilometer and even then I've paid for it over the following few days.
From what I understand the TPF is healed (although sometimes it aches) and also my ankle is feeling better but the torn meniscus is still an issue so I'm off to the specialist again in a few weeks.
They're talking injections which I'm not sure I'm happy about but I'll go along and see what they say.
Has anyone else had injections that could give me some feedback ? Cortisone, Hyaluronic Acid, Platelet .....

In still amazed you are skiing after the 'awfully big crash'!
Well done you for getting back there but yeah these things can take ages to come right. Sorry no injections here so can't give you an opinion on that, but hopey the specialist will give you good information

 

[AJM]

In still amazed you are skiing after the 'awfully big crash'!
Well done you for getting back there but yeah these things can take ages to come right. Sorry no injections here so can't give you an opinion on that, but hopey the specialist will give you good information

I'm still amazed I got back skiing , although there were times when I thought I probably shouldn't be

 

[SnowHot]

So glad you're coming back, even though you have some more steps to take to be 100%

 

[skibum4ever]

@AJM It's been almost two years and this summer I have been working very hard on stepping up and DOWN! I bought a step platform and use it almost daily.

I am improving but still baffled by stepping down high curbs.

Give it time. You're doing great!

 

[AJM]

@AJM It's been almost two years and this summer I have been working very hard on stepping up and DOWN! I bought a step platform and use it almost daily.

I am improving but still baffled by stepping down high curbs.

Give it time. You're doing great!

Those curbs are nasty !!!
I was doing step downs on a step thing my hubby made for me as per PT directions but unfortunately it caused everything to flare up so we decided to shelve that exercise for a while .... I now use the step thing to prop my ski's when waxing them, its just the right size when you flip it upside down

 

[diymom]

Yep, the down steps are what I notice most too. I did just pick up a step thingy at Goodwill the other day, but honestly it feels like I'm going up and down stairs all day anyways, so I'm not sure how much it will get used.

 

[AJM]

Yep, the down steps are what I notice most too. I did just pick up a step thingy at Goodwill the other day, but honestly it feels like I'm going up and down stairs all day anyways, so I'm not sure how much it will get used.

My PT had me stepping down backwards really really slowly but despite my super strong quads at that stage it still put too much strain on my knees.
TBH I think I may have jumped back in to skiing too soon as pre season I was doing great (except for the step thingy) and had very little pain but now I'm back to having a few issues ..... oh well too late now !!!

 

[tinymoose]

I don't really have any anything to contribute b/c my breaks have amounted to toes and fingers in gymnastics, but at mid-40s, my last big toe break healed A LOT slower than my 30s era breaks. So kudos to you and everyone who perseveres through a major injury.

 

[Tennessee]

I have had three injections in my left knee for osteoarthritis. First was a steroid shot (did it help? Maybe…), next was hyaluronic acid (slightly better???…) and then recently I got another steroid shot and immediate improvement! I think my knee was already somewhat better from lots of biking and swimming for this last shot so it was finally ready. Also, the PA I now go to was really good and it does matter who gives you the shot. I just think she was better at giving the injection than the first guy. Who knows??? I’m beginning to realize how individual and unique and strange our bodies (and minds!) are. Best of luck!

 

[AJM]

I have had three injections in my left knee for osteoarthritis. First was a steroid shot (did it help? Maybe…), next was hyaluronic acid (slightly better???…) and then recently I got another steroid shot and immediate improvement! I think my knee was already somewhat better from lots of biking and swimming for this last shot so it was finally ready. Also, the PA I now go to was really good and it does matter who gives you the shot. I just think she was better at giving the injection than the first guy. Who knows??? I’m beginning to realize how individual and unique and strange our bodies (and minds!) are. Best of luck!

Hyaluronic Acid is one that has been mentioned so it will be interesting to see what the specialist says when I see him.
I spoke with a friend the other day and she hadnt had the HA one but said the Cortisone did nothing for her and the Platelet one was super painful to receive but did work better that the Cortisone.

Some people just have that magic touch when it comes to injections ... fingers crossed I get one of those !!

 

[skibum4ever]

I had my third Prolia shot this week. I hope it’s doing some good!!!

 

[IceHeeler]

It's been heartwarming to see you get some skiing in. I'm hoping to get a bunch of days in this year at my new beginner level. I recently had a setback with my TPF after my leg went wonky during a long hike. After a few weeks of big pain, I went back in the surgeon thinking it was a hardware issue. Instead it was severe tendonitis. He rerouted my IT band and hadn't mentioned it to me or my Physical Therapist. He is not a soft tissue guy and only cares about bone. I've pivoted my training plan to help relief pressure on that tendon.

I've found my biggest day to day recovery tool is wearing very supportive shoes. I normally exercise barefoot, so this is a big change for me. I also find using a percussion gun help relieve pain in the anterior tibialis and IT band; my biggest discomfort points. I'd be curious to know what is causing the continued pain when you're stepping down.

 

[AJM]

It's been heartwarming to see you get some skiing in. I'm hoping to get a bunch of days in this year at my new beginner level. I recently had a setback with my TPF after my leg went wonky during a long hike. After a few weeks of big pain, I went back in the surgeon thinking it was a hardware issue. Instead it was severe tendonitis. He rerouted my IT band and hadn't mentioned it to me or my Physical Therapist. He is not a soft tissue guy and only cares about bone. I've pivoted my training plan to help relief pressure on that tendon.

I've found my biggest day to day recovery tool is wearing very supportive shoes. I normally exercise barefoot, so this is a big change for me. I also find using a percussion gun help relieve pain in the anterior tibialis and IT band; my biggest discomfort points. I'd be curious to know what is causing the continued pain when you're stepping down.

I really hope you can get some days in this year, the little soft K2's were a lifesaver for me as they enabled me to get back out there and still ski the terrain I love with very minimal strain on my legs.
Going downstairs is soooo painful but hopefully the specialist can shed some light on it when I see him.

I've had IT band issues but nothing major, my PT just massages it out and it comes right thank goodness.

Hopefully we can get it all sorted so I can resume hiking this Summer
Do keep us up to date with your skiing this coming season xx

 

[VickiK]

I was just reading in the Peter Attia's book Outlive that stepping down requires eccentric strength of leg muscles.

Avoiding Injury Part I: Eccentric Strength - Peter Attia

Accidental injury is among the leading causes of death in the developed world, and even when an injury itself is not directly responsible for ending one’s life, the associated debilitation can hasten the onset and progression of other health concerns.

peterattiamd.com

Like @tinymoose said above, kudos to everyone who perseveres through a major injury.

 

[AJM]

I was just reading in the Peter Attia's book Outlive that stepping down requires eccentric strength of leg muscles.

Avoiding Injury Part I: Eccentric Strength - Peter Attia

Accidental injury is among the leading causes of death in the developed world, and even when an injury itself is not directly responsible for ending one’s life, the associated debilitation can hasten the onset and progression of other health concerns.

peterattiamd.com

Like @tinymoose said above, kudos to everyone who perseveres through a major injury.

Thats what I was doing only on a shorter step but it was just too painful so we stopped that one. Perhaps I wasnt ready for it?
I'm pretty sure it will be suggested to me again when I go back to the specialist in week or so !!

 

[marzNC]

I was just reading in the Peter Attia's book Outlive that stepping down requires eccentric strength of leg muscles.

I remember learning about the importance of eccentric exercises during knee rehab a decade ago.