It’s now been confirmed by two docs. I continue to be a genetic freak. I have a misaligned patella which will result in a nasty case of runner’s knee until I get it sorted out. First step includes lots of ice to reduce swelling.

Next steps:

1. series of exercises to strengthen muscles around my kneecaps,
2. x rays to check for scarring, ligament damage, etc.
3. no running/walking/stairs or leg related weight lifting until doc or physiotherapist OKs it

Future stuff:

1. new shoes – When I run again I’ll need a different type of shoe. Whether or not that will be neutral or motion control will depend on whether or not I’ll end up with orthotics to correct the alignment.
2. custom knee brace for sports *eep!* – there’s a possibility that I may need to wear a custom knee brace if I plan to continue on the fitness route.
3. knee surgery – as I understand it, it’s likely inevitable. Doc hopes to help put it off for a while by strengthening the muscles and assorted knee rehab goodness.

After the doc gets a look at my x rays she’ll have a better idea of how long it’ll take to rehab my knee and what I’ll need to do in order to become fully mobile again. In the meantime, I’m scheduled to see her again next week.

Exercise is going to be a challenge for the moment. For the time being I won’t be able to walk for any significant amount of time or distance. I can’t continue to take every set of stairs I see. Running is completely out. And Curves – well, it’s out for a little bit too. I can’t do the “rest” stations at the moment and definitely can’t do the leg machines. Hopefully I can get back to the circuit, sans leg machines, in a week or so. For the time being I’m pretty limited. To quote the doc, I can “exercise anything above the waist”. I can also swim or ride a recumbent bike/machine. My friend J has a recumbent bike in storage so I may just end up asking to borrow it for a little while…

Guess I’ll have to cut back on my calorie intake a little bit to ensure I don’t over eat while my exercise regime slows down.

And yes – I’m still determined to eventually run. After all. If it weren’t for my attempts to learn to run, I’d never have known about my underlying knee issue. Which means I could have done additional (unintentional) damage to it over the years to come.

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