Kneeling with torn cartilidge?

kneelingBROTHA · Post by **kneelingBROTHA** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:15 pm

Does anyone kneeboard with torn cartilidge in either knee? I have torn cartilidge in my left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder. All are OLD skateboarding injuries, the diagnoses have just recently been revealed, post MRI. I also had a shoulder seperation in my right shoulder at some point, also from skateboarding for so many years. Kneeboarding is so much fun but is sounding less and less appealing considering the possible long-term ramifications. I'm just wondering what the upper limit is for you guys insofar as how much of your health are you willing to risk to surf on this particular craft.

Also, if any of you guys are dealing with any of these issues, how do you go about protecting yourself from further damage?

I love bodyboarding, and would have no problem doing that only, but would be very sad if kneeboarding wasn't in my future anymore.

Thanks everyone. I hope I don't have to say goodbye to the Blue Bottle. If I do, it will find a good home.

--Marc Bockman

loonylen · Post by **loonylen** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:13 pm

I have had the meniscus cartelage torn in both knees both keyhole surgery nothing to do with surfing one plays up now and then but evrything starts to fall apart when you get to my age

Man O' War · Post by **Man O' War** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:00 am

Gotta be sooo painful, Marc.

I always hear building up the muscle around the joint is the best protection. How bout a steady diet of stretching and swimming?

What you have going for you (which loo and I don't) is your youth.

So how bad do you want it?

NCountyKneelo · Post by **NCountyKneelo** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:25 am

Brotha, I recently had a Meniscus tear in the left knee inside (horn) that has bothered me for about 6 mos. I just got it fixed (Orthroscopically) and after 5 weeks was back in the water no problem. This was a knee that 10 yrs earlier had a complete ACL reconstruction (Basketball). Now, leading up to the surgery I was in the water as much as possible (3-4 times per week) and towards the end it began to bother me more and more. I wouldn't have been able to continue. I come from the school of "if it is broke, get it fixed" however and have had great outcomes with each of my "tuneups".

Now for the Shoulder. I have an issue with my right (throwing) shoulder from years of Baseball, Softball, Racquetball and Basketball. So I go in to have that fixed in a few weeks. A cleanout and shaving of the bone to provide more motion and no impingement. The key to a great outcome I feel is to go in to the surgery in the best shape possible, so that that you can come out of it in better shape.

NC

SFKneelo · Post by **SFKneelo** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:27 am

Had a knee reconstruction in '82... 3 ligaments, torn cartilidge, screw through leg, etc. Old school style. One step short of leeches...

The other one has torn cartilidge, two partially torn ligaments, which I re-hab'd instead of surgery.

Start with Man O War's suggestion. Bill L told me 'squats, squats, squats.' He's right! (I bet Bill L would say 'as a start!')

All exercise must be done with absolute resolve on good form. If you can, get a few visits in with a physical therapist.

Do NOT use those leg-lift machines in the gym where you sit and extend your leg under weights due to the strain on the joint. The P/T can really help with equipment / exercise selection.

A danger over time is that any compensation for the hurt area can lead to problems elsewhere. The P/T can get you on a plan where you learn what to watch for and how to manage it.

The 'manage it' is the most important overarching principle.

Keep your Orthopedic specialist in the know. If you don't improve, getting the tear dealt with surgically is an option.

Depending on the nature of the tear, stabilizing the knee with pads may help. I wear a neoprene sleeve under the wetsuit, and a neoprene strapped brace (no hinge) over the wetsuit. For me, it helps keep things together and not go too far out of range. If nothing else, they remind me of the issue.

There are some joint medications that may help, but I haven't tried them and can't comment.

More will probably come to mind, but I think those are the big ticket items that have helped...

kneelingBROTHA · Post by **kneelingBROTHA** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 6:09 pm

Wow; there's a lot of inspirational information here.

Thanks for the appreciation of the situation, Mark. I definitely want it; so much in fact that I got my first kneeboard session in a long time in today, which went on for about 3 hours. It was refreshing, but I have a swollen RIGHT knee now, thanks to an ill-coordinated late takeoff. Ha! But that shouldn't be anything permanent. Just a little battle nick.

NC, I hear you on the "if it is broke, get it fixed." Modern, Western medicine is an amazing thing. We are all so fortunate to live in the time we do today of such advanced medical technology and understanding (for the most part). I hope your surgery goes well, and thank you for sharing your stories of surgery with me. I'm glad you've been able to keep kneeling.

SFKneelo, I hear you on all fronts. I am going to physical therapy right now. My PT is great, and she is working as hard as she can to help me strengthen my joints and bone junctions. The " 'manage it' " is what I am working with the PT on; its either that or surgery.

And "smells", thanks for the link, and that left knee scrape/scope is quite the horror story! WOW! 80%! I'm glad you're back out there though.

Again, much appreciation for everyone sharing. I'm gradually trying to slide back into kneeboarding when I'm able to; we'll see in the coming weeks what the long-term prognosis is for my "kneeboard career."

TAKE CARE,

Marcus Bockman