:: a z y u r e . c o m ::

Another update!

Still been going to the physio on an almost weekly basis - had almost 3 weeks off due to problems schedualling and Debbie being away over easter.

We hit a bit of a wall about 3 weeks ago in that I was still doing the exercises and getting sleep at night (yay!) but getting back/hip pain - had an x-ray to check there was nothing wrong with my hip (which there wasn’t) and so Debbie took a different strategy and started strapping my ankle/foot - which for the first two weeks was causing me alot of pain in my hip/back but with some added exercises and strapping of the knee and ankle I think we might be back on track again.

I just went and had them both re-strapped today and am going to get stuck into the exercises quite intensly for a week and then re-assess how it is going.

Hopefully back on track!

Right so I have now been doing these new exercises for almost a week now - and yes I have to admit they seem to be working - in so much that if I do them before bed - I seem to be able to sleep until about 6am’ish.

As Debbie suggested - I am now getting pains in different areas, and the exercises themselves really take it out of me - two in particular really hurt and take me quite awhile to do as I have to break between each exercise so I don’t shout the house down.

I have another physio appointment tomorrow so should find out what she thinks then. Still strapping my knee now two days on and two days off which seems to be going okay!

Well seems spring is on the way - there are heaps and heaps of daffodils out (will try to remember to bring the cam and take pics this week), lots more ppl are walking/riding I have noticed in the last week - and we got a maximum of 14 degree’s today and it has been sunny most of the day - the office is so nice and warm!

Recieved my wellingtons yesterday and they fit perfectly! Also got a parcel from mum and dad in the post with a house gift of teatowels and cheese grater - hehe - was so nice!

Saw another physio on Tuesday - well start from the begining - went on Monday afternoon to see Anne about my back (as there is definatly something going on with my lower back/hip) as my knee has gotten better - that section has gotten worse.

So she prodded my back a bit and said that it is actually much better - and the pain is originating from my pelvis - and Debbie is the specialist in that! So went back tuesday lunchtime and she confirmed that there are a few issues. So I now have 5 new exercises to do twice a day which are bloody hard! But hopefully within the next week or so there will be some changes!

Been riding to work every day which is cool - rather getting into the swing of it and I get home so early - plus I am now riding home to a beautiful sunset - another indicator that spring/summer is on it’s way!

Had some physio again today - and I think that it’s going well for a change - okay yes she rubbed and poked and dug her fingers in and yes my leg is now aching quite a bit - but it’s a different pain - it’s the pain of change! (well I hope anyway - hehe)

The strapping is certainly helping - though my skin is having a bit of trouble with it (betting sores where the tape is anchored) but hopefully it I have a break from the tape on Sunday then it will give it enough time to cope!

I now have 4 small exercises to do a few times a day which have so far been easy to blend into my normal day, plus the tape helping me walk correctly so hopefully in a few more weeks there will be a marked improvement!

*fingers crossed*

Right, so I had a third session at the physiotherapist and it was very positive. While there is obviously something going on with my back - the treatment Anne had been doing had mainly been inflaming the pain. So I was relieved when I got to the physio that she sat down and had a chat and said that she had expected, even after 2 sessions, that there would be some relief in the pain, and maybe we needed to look at tackling some of the other issues first.

I was very relieved as I had been in alot of pain and sleeping even worse than normal as well as getting rather distressed. So she asked if it would be okay for her other physio to have a look at my leg, as she specialised in lower-limb issues. So I got handed over to ‘Miso’ (I think that’s her name - need to check that out) and she had a look at my knee/thigh and was refreshingly straight forward and down to business. She said that I have major Patellofemoral pain symptoms and that was going to be the first thing we tackled. I was so relieved, that was what I had diagnosed myself with and to have someone who knows what their talking about back me up and identify a definite problem was such a relief!

So she attacked my outer thigh and showed me some exercises to do - then strapped up my knee - she said the main reason for the swelling will be the patella (knee cap) rubbing against the edge of the groove that it moves in. She said that the knee itself thankfully isn’t damaged and that the tendon’s/ligaments are okay - just there are no muscles supporting the inside of the knee - and as such - the overworked outside muscle is pulling the kneecap outwards and making it rub.

So she strapped my knee so that the patella is a few millimeters further in, and moving in the correct place - and omg what a relief! I have been a bit worried about telling anyone that I am out of pain - in-case it doesn’t last - but the strapping of the knee is definatly taking the pressure off and while the knee is still swollen - the agonising pain isn’t there.

So I have been doing the exercises she has given me as many times a day as I can - and I went and had another session with her today (I took the strapping off on Sunday night and the pain came back but not as bad). She said that she can actually feel the muscle now (after only 4 days!) and worked on my thigh and hip and then strapped up my knee again - but has also shown me how to do it and we have agreed to keep it strapped till Wednesday night - have the night off - then I re-strap it on Thursday - and I see her again on Friday!

*crossing fingers* this might actually be the right track to getting rid of the pain!

She also agreed with me that I should see the Dr and get some sleeping tablets - just for a few weeks to break the bad habit I am in of waking up every 3 hours - now that the pain has eased I should be able to get back into a normal sleeping pattern - but just need some help with that! (Dr appointment on Wednesday!!)