[pct-l] Cortizone shot

[Jim & Jane Moody]

Sink, 

Your experience in 2011 somewhat parallels mine in 2010.  I got off at Sonora Pass (~1018 miles) with knee pain.  I never got a definitive diagnosis, but the ortho doc figured it was arthritis and/or inflamed or torn meniscus. 

  

In 2011 I started back at Sonora P. on July 1 (BIG mistake due to snow pack) and made it to Chester, where I had to get off again.  This time both knees ached.  Turns out I had a double dose of stress fractures, one at the top of each tibia.  The prescription for healing was rest, which I have been doing.  Hope to go out next summer with a less ambitious strategy. 

  

In regards to the cortisone, it depends on what is wrong with the knees.  Some conditions might be helped temporarily by cortisone, but it would be useless for another type of injury. 

  

You've got to get a diagnosis from an orthopaedic doc, even if it costs $.  Self-diagnosis and self-treatment may turn out to be more expensive in the long run. 

  

Also, be careful about starting in June, especially if you intend to start in the northern Sierra.  There might be a lot of snowpack still around.  If so, take a good gps and your ice axe.  A gps would have saved me at least two days' equivalent of hiking time. 

  

Good luck. 

Mango  


  

  


  

----- Original Message -----




From: "Jamieszew723" <jamieszew723 at gmail.com> 
To: "PCT Listserve" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Thursday, January 5, 2012 7:23:31 AM 
Subject: [pct-l] Cortizone shot 

Hi there group.  I posted in December about my knees being shot from hikin 1000 miles of the PCT in 2011.  I'm pretty sure its from carrying too much weight so I am solving that issue.  Problem is, I would like to finish the trail this year.  With shot knees and a june start date I'm pretty worried. 

My solution seems to be cortizone shots to both knees. Is this an accurate solution combined with knee braces and trekking poles?. With no insurance, what doctor shall I see.  How do I know he won't blow me off.  That's how they are on this coast.  Wham bam thank you mam and no help and you have to pay 80 or more.   

So really I have the 2 questions. have cortizone shots worked for any of you and do you think it would be a good temporary fix for me.  2nd question is how do I find a doctor that will stick with me till I'm fixed and not blow me off and say quit hiking? 

Thanks 

Sink