Knee Injury Babbling

[SarahC07 0]

I had an appointment with my knee doctor today - my "second opinion" doctor. After reviewing my MRI, he changed my diagnosis from chondromalacia patella to patellar tendonitis - an acceptable misdiagnosis without an MRI. The symptoms are the same, and chronic patellar tendonitis (pain longer than 6 months) is rather uncommon. I've been dealing with this for about 9 months. Approximately 1 of 120 patients he sees a month are diagnosed with patellar tendonitis - grade 1. A grade 1 injury will generally heal itself with 2-3 months of conservative treatment (NSAIDs, rest, maybe some physical therapy to strengthen the muscles). He classified me as a grade 2 after looking at my MRI. Grade 3 patients are at risk for tearing the tendon completely.

As I've tried all of the conservative approaches - rest, drugs, etc. The doctor recommended that I keep a log of everything I do that hurts my knee. I've already cut out running, cycling and pretty much working out all together (lower body resistance training will irritate it further). We're looking for things now like wearing high heels, sitting cross legged, climbing the stairs, etc. Heh, I know climbing the stairs hurts as does sitting cross legged. This is ridiculous.

Surgery is a last case treatment but something he's agreed to do for me. It could fix/improve my injury or it could do nothing at all. It will not make the situation worse unless he fucks up, which I suppose is a possibility - hopefully an unlikely one. Surgery would be attempted first, orthoscopically; if they can not adequately see the tear, they'd make a 2 inch incision and go in that way. I would be on crutches for a week and in "rest" mode for about 3 months - no working out. Joy.

The interesting twist to all of this - me being in pain does not mean that i'm making my injury worse, believe it or not. Doc says that if I can stomach the pain, I'm not causing my body harm. Which really makes me think, you know? Is it worth it?

I'm just babbling at this point.

I think I'm going to have the surgery but not right away.

Anyone else dealt with this?