Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Medical News

I have done little running since the SMH half because of persistant left knee pain that despite rest has become quite a bother. It seems as if the problem is :



Lunge Lesions
The "lunge lesion" is an isolated injury to the femoral articular cartilage in the groove (Trochlea) through which the patella runs during knee flexion. It is the result of high shear and compressive forces produced by deceleration of the flexed knee, with co-contraction of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscle groups. This roughened articulating area produces a painful, grinding sensation as the flexes leading to joint irritation and swelling. In severe cases this damaged area requires an arthroscopic chondroplasty to smooth the roughened articular cartilage.
Below is a link to a site if you are interested in the mechanics of the knee - I wasn't until now. Top diagram (left) they have peeled away the patella (the knee cap) and dropped it down. There is a grove in the larger bone that should be smooth so that when the patella and the fumur move over each other it is pain free not rough and painful like mine.

Doc and I have concluded this is more likey the problem. An MRI will fill in the last piece of the puzzle and then hopefully off for the operation and back around the Bay. When not sure but not soon.
Running gait etc thoroughly checked out with no abnormalites detected - conclusion was that my mechanics of running a very good and that is probably the reason I have had no problems in the past. Cause of this problem - not determined - but the opinion was that it not directly caused by any running 'bad form'. He did then ask my age again and just nodded so I suspect old age is making its first appearance, dam. Looks like the body will implode before the mind.

9 comments:

Jen said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your knee problems Ray. I hope you are back on the Bay in no time - and when you are, my hand will be up for our long awaited lap of the Bay :-)

Robert Song said...

Hopefully just a 50,000 Km service and not a body implosion.

All the best in recovery.

Superflake said...

Sorry to hear the news Eagle. Hope it doesn't require the surgery at all. What would a marathon be without an eagle running. Hope you get back around the bay soon Ray.

Unknown said...

Take it easy, Ray...you know what you should do, so just do it!!

Spud said...

Sorry to hear about your knee hassles Ray, was looking forward to seeing you at PMC. Hopefully you'll be right for the business end of the year.
Get well mate.

Horrie said...

Sorry to hear the news Ray. When runners like you and Blue Dog break down, it makes me stop and have a reality check. Hope you both recover in time for GNW as I am looking forward to being part of Team Dog this year.

Mister G said...

Ray, heal quickly and catch you out there at the pointy end of the racing year.

Katie said...

Lots of good vibes coming your way! With all your good Karma it should be right in no time at all! You have done alot to support other runners... no its your turn (unforunately)! Take care and you will be cruising again soon!

Jen said...

Hi Ray,

How are you & your knee progressing. Thinking of you,

J