[pct-l] Knee problems

[Marion Davison]

I had similar issues this year.  On my first trail work weekend I was in 
a full kneeling position for a long time (feet back, legs bent, butt 
resting on feet).  When I tried to get up and move I didn't push off 
with my hands, and I got a horrendous stabbing pain in one knee.  I had 
to limp on it, 18 miles, to where my car was parked.  I rested it for a 
few weeks, went hiking again, found it painful to walk uphill or 
downhill.  But oh well, fiddle dee dee, it will get better tomorrow. I 
got a Cho-Pat knee brace and kept on hiking.   I did a few more weekend 
hikes, starting out okay, limping and cursing by the end.  In June a 
hike made my knee swell up hugely so I finally went to the doctor.  An 
MRI showed a slightly torn meniscus, an attenuated (thinning) ACL, and a 
lot of arthritis under the patella.  They told me that I am too old for 
surgery (at 52) and the doctor prescribed a custom ACL brace that cost 
over $2000.  I finally got the brace in July and did a 50 mile week-long 
Sierra trip with no issues.  I wear it to hike, walk or work out at the 
gym.  Chiropractic therapy got the swelling down and strengthening 
exercises got my knee to "track" better.
But I have to wear the brace for any exercise, permanently.  If I don't, 
I will have pain and the ACL will probably rupture somewhere in the 
backcountry.
Now my insurance company is refusing to pay for the brace so I am stuck 
with the bill.
Aging and modern medicine.  Oh well.  At least I can hike again, pain free.
Marion