Nattaproblem

This topic is near and dear to me.  I currently have knee pain from what I surmise is an overuse injury.  When I was 15, I overcame a true back fracture after 6 months of bracing my mid-section, and performing correct physical therapy exercises.  What does this have to do with bone and joint health you ask?  Everything!  I learned it takes at least 6 to 8 weeks for a fracture to heal and depending on the severity of the fracture, it takes immobilization; keeping the bond as stationary as possible so fibroblasts, osteoblasts, calcium, magnesium, boron, and in my case “miracles” can go to work.

After the radiologist report came in, it turns out that both my knees have medial meniscus tears.  I’ve also read quite a bit that because the pain is not excruciating, there’s a fair chance that it may heal without surgery.

Here you can see the right side (your left) with a layer of cushioning (the meniscus) between the tibial head and the femoral head.  On the other side, it’s missing.  I found out just the other day that I have torn my medial meniscus and after scouring books, emailing doctors and reading up on the subject, there are 3 possible roads ahead.  1: I recover naturally with minimum risk of osteoarthritis due to the rubbing of the tibia and femur.  This takes 6 to 8 weeks of limited activity such as swimming and bicycling without any pain.  If there’s pain, I stop.  2:  The pain escalates, and I go in for surgery (a last resort).  The surgeon does one of two things based off what he notices during the arthroscopy (a process whereby the doctor places a scope bilaterally into the knee to get a clear view of what’s going on).  3: I never do rigorous exercise again and just live with it.

Here’s the thing with injuries.  They take a LOT of time and require minimum movement to properly allow the healing process to take effect.  I’m a hyperactive individual so this involves constantly reminding myself that I have to lay low and somehow incorporate upper body routines into cardio.  With rest, limited ROM exercise and proper bracing, it will get better.   I just can’t run for a couple months.  That’s why there’s a bike.

I’m also pressed to remind everybody the importance of stretching and incrementally increasing the weight during resistance training.  I sustained this injury due to overuse, and by increasing weight too quickly.  This is coming from somebody that regularly exercises, so the case in point is to take it slow.  There are numerous vital joints and ligaments running throughout our bodies, and we must utilize every precaution to keep them naturally mobile and healthy.  Surgery is there as an option, but it should and will ALWAYS be my last resort.  The human body can heal on it’s own.  I have believed in that theory since day one.  You just have to give it a chance.  So, on that note, remember to regularly incorporate vitamin C, D, K, calcium, magnesium, boron and silica into your diets for healthy and durable bones.  That combined with steady exercise will keep you on your feet and if you should sustain an injury, make sure to remain conscious of every signal your body gives you.  Catch it early enough, and you’ll be running on the soccer field again in no time.

Ciao,

Nattapon Jontom Abbett

Nattaproblem