When I tore the meniscus in my left knee (which seems to be the event that started the tumbling down of the house of cards known as my knees), I had mystery getting curative treatment. I was in an Hmo and had to be transferred from one branch to another, each physician wanted separate tests (Mris, x-rays), all had to be stylish by the guarnatee business and often transportation was less than good. A few times authorization for treatment expired before I was notified to make an appointment or the appointment had been made but no one gave me the information.
The delay in getting treatment not only caused my knee pain to come to be excruciating, but my shoulders became injured (from using my arms to lift myself up from a seated position and I advanced depression. I learned that persisting pain often sets off depression. Depression is caused by a chemical reaction that I can't clarify in curative terms, but it was real. I was angry, short-tempered, sleepy and medication alone wasn't relieving the pain.
Over the next six months not one of the doctors who saw me for this condition, gave any suggestions for pain management. The doctors gave me fullness of vicodin, but no one gave recommendations on how I could work and drive while taking enough to relieve the pain.
And then I met a woman who'd had any knee surgeries. She gave me some tips that were straightforward and they worked. Here are a few of her tips and some I have developed:
1. Sleep on your back with a pillow or bolster under your knees.
2. Whenever possible, elevate your legs when sitting. A recliner with a foot rest is excellent for this. I have a lift chair and love it.
3. Ice, ice, ice. Especially before going to bed. That's the most prominent time. When I remember to do this, I all the time feel best in the morning than when I don't.
4. Try to stay ahead of the pain. For example, if I know I'm going to be in the car for any length of time, like an hour or more, I take Tylenol before leaving for the trip. Sitting with my legs at a 90 degree angle for extended periods warrant that I will be stiff as a board when I arrive.
5. Sleep. This one was not so inescapable to me. However, it has proved to be the most sufficient of all. I didn't perceive the significance of sleeping restfully and the impact it has on allembracing health. I was waking up throughout the night, in pain and sometimes in tears. I would wake up in the morning feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. Icing my knees and taking pain medication before going to bed has done more for alleviating the pain than just about whatever else.
6. Avoid walking on uneven surfaces (cobblestone, fields, mixed terrain like rock, gravel and broken concrete, sand). These conditions should be avoided at all times. Noticeable uphill and downhill slopes are difficult; walking downhill is especially painful. Stairs are no longer optional for me. I think it's best to avoid stairs if you have knee problems even if you can walk them without too much pain. Walking stairs puts a lot of pressure on the knee and the surrounding supporting ligaments.
7. If it hurts, don't do it, or do less or it. Any activity that is painful is causing damage.
I want to be clear... I take pain medication. I think pain meds have a rightful place in treatment. I could not live as full a life as I do without pain medication. My taste has been that since learning to pay concentration to the situations where I'm likely to cause myself more pain, and practicing ways to avoid creating more pain, I've been happier and healthier. Pain medication combined with pain management has allowed me to live a full life.
To preclude added damage, and pain, slow down, watch where you're stepping and be proactive in your pain management program. You can once again love your life.
Meniscus Tear Surgery:7 Tips For Knee Pain supervision
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