As many of you know, I have been dealing with on and off knee issues for about six years now. It started after a road race on Thanksgiving in 2019. My knee started to swell uncontrollably after the race and I had to go to the ER by ambulance for the first time ever.
I did some PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections and the chronic swelling from that incident was a non-issue for almost 6 years. There were a few little issues every now and then that the physical therapy would address. It was not a big deal. I was working out, felt great, not even thinking my knee was a problem.
Then it happened. I was working out back in January 2025. I was using one of those manual treadmills, the kind you have to move with your legs because there’s no motor. I must have moved my leg the wrong way, because I felt a snap in my knee. I thought this was not good, and immediately got off the treadmill. I went about my day and didn’t think much about the issue again until I got home. I started to use the stairs at home and was experiencing excruciating pain on my left knee when I would step up using the left leg.
I had an MRI done. They noticed a vertical tear and said because it’s vertical, I can live with it. The doctor said I just need physical therapy. I did physical therapy for several months. I did another course of PRP, tried stem cell therapy, did Trigenics. Nothing I did seemed to help the situation.
I was also starting to develop a limp. It wasn’t noticeable at first, but eventually it got to the point where I couldn’t walk without an extreme limp, Eventually, I got to the point where I had to wait until my knee gave me permission before I could move around the room. This is especially true after waking up in the morning. It takes me 10 minutes to walk in the bathroom in the morning.
So here I am about to get a knee replacement, something I never in my life thought I would have to do. I was always resistant and fearful of it. But you know what? I can’t wait for normalcy! To be able to walk up and down the stairs without thinking about it, to be able to work out again, to just simply stand without worrying about whether I could bear weight.
I had a follow up MRI in December. That one showed much more detail and a lot more damage. If only I got this treated with better imaging in January, I possibly could’ve avoided this whole mess. But I’m not going to dwell. I am moving forward.
For the past few months, the knee has stopped me from my workout routine. I haven’t been able to get 10,000 steps a day, but I keep active anyway. I still go to the store for my own groceries and I do get out. But it has affected in my life and I just want it better.
My surgery is scheduled for March 17. I’m actually looking forward to it. I’m going in with a positive attitude that it won’t be too bad. I’m hoping that will turn into reality.