Hiking with a knee injury

MRI confirms: Osteoarthritis and knee cap displacement 

I had the MRI in February 2022. It confirmed that I didn’t have a lateral collateral ligament tear as I had first thought, however, I have kneecap displacement and no cartlidge between my knees and the bones and also osteoarthritis with a few spurs and a ganglion cyst at the back of my knee. What a blimin dousy! 

I was recommended by my doctor to see an exercise physiologist. One of the CrossFit coaches, Matthew Drew is an exercise physiologist. He runs Resurgence Exercise Physiology. Matt had just recently graduated and started his own business. I ended up seeing Matt four times over the next five months. He came up with a program for me to follow, with a focus on stretching and strengthening the muscles that supported my knee. I also went back to training at CrossFit, as I’d taken a break since starting teaching and I truly missed it. I knew that I would have to put in the work if I wanted to see an improvement. 

It’s funny how a little

thing made you become motivated to change for the better. It sounds cliche but you have to put in the work and you have to be prepared, as it all takes time. At the end of the day, I had to realise that I was worth the effort and that I didn’t have to live with physical limitations. I also started losing weight, which had a major impact on my knee and also in my feet. You just don't realise the damage that carrying extra weight brings.

All was not lost. I am 46, and on my way to conquering any mountain!