knee injury

5 weeks ago I developed a knee injury whilst running that has still not healed. My physio has suggested that maybe I will have to try cortisone injections /ultrasound. How long you should you give an injury to heal itself before taking this alternative? Also, why would the injury take so long to heal, I have done no cardio activity at all since the injury?

[Lee J B]

Even if you have done no cardio, if it is that bad its not going to heal if you s much as put pressure or walk on it heavy, I suggest you give it a couple of weeks rested up, and take some muscle injury suppressants, your physio can get them , they are very good.

[cursor]

Did you properly ice it after the injury? How extensive was the damage? Have you done anything to aggrevate it since the injury?

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I haven't done anything since it began hurting me except for upper body weights and I have swam a few times, (only pulling). I only started putting ice on it a few days after it began hurting me. My physio reckons it is a friction problem between my muscle and bone, and that I have now also developed tendinitis. He has got me doing strengthening exercises 3 times daily. Would you recommend I go for the cortisone treatment? I am a very active person and I am very frustrated at not being able to do anything!

[Fudomyo]

You really don't want to use cortisone, unless you have to. Cortisone, very non-selectively, stops all intracellular hormone production. Like super aspirin, tylenol, nsaids. Lasts 30 days.

Glucosamine is good for joint pain (makes more lubrication), but is not exactly helpful for tendonitis.

You only walk on your legs everyday, and tendons, joints, ligaments have very little blood supply to help with healing. Ice, after a workout helps prevent over swelling (which can actually restrict blood flow). Heating later on can improve blood flow and help heal.

My currently being tested theory is that lactic acid helps with tendon growth. It just doesn't lend itself well to scientific study.

Now that subject A has done 12 weeks of high reps, we will find out how strong the tendon is by rupturing it....

Hurts on the Eliptical machine / weight training too?

Fudo