And The Diagnosis Is...

I have arthritis.
In both of my knees.
Osteoarthritis, to be precise.

At 34 years old. 

Quickly, here is some information:

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the knee joint. It is more common in people older than 40 years. Women have greater chance to be affected.

Here are the symptoms that I was experiencing that lead to me to go and get checked out finally:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Decreasing range of motion

Osteoarthritis of the knee is predominately considered a "wear and tear" process, where there is gradual degradation of the hyaline cartilage that covers the articulating surfaces of the bones in the knee joint. In most people, the disease is either post-traumatic or hereditary.

Or, in my case, and completely within my control: obesity.

Ask me how upset and angry I am with myself right now.

Here are the possible treatment options:

Pharmacologic therapy (Tylenol; NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, naprosyn, etc.; glucosamine/chondroitin)

Intra-articular injection (steroid or hyaluronic acid preparations such as Synvisc or Supartz)

Weight loss
Low Impact Aerobic Exercise (walking, treadmill, elliptical, bike or stationary bike, swimming or water aerobics)

Physical therapy. Aims of physical therapy include:

• Pain and spasm relief
• Reducing stiffness
• Muscles strengthening
• Increasing range of motion
• Increasing flexibility
• Gait training
• Balance improvement
• Patient education
• Increasing functional activities
• Hydrotherapy
• Assistive devices (cane, walker)
• Surgical treatment (when nonsurgical management fails to provide relief)

So, with this tidbit of news (like a 2x4 to the head, really), I have been given a maximum 5 year window to lose the rest of this weight before my knees really start giving me hell. I already haven't been able to run since September, and I miss it. Slow as I may be at running, I still prefer it to walking extra-long distances for the same calorie burn.

I certainly haven't done my body any favours all these years, with all of those chicken wings. And so I took last night, and I am taking today too, to be angry, upset and disappointed in myself. And then I will shift my energy to focus on what I CAN do, as opposed to what I CANNOT change.

I hope that you are having an awesome day!
xoxox
~J