“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction” – Isaac Newton
And this must be what is happening to my knee! This is to say that by not walking too much on my good foot (and trying to prevent it from Charcoting like the other), I am probably blowing out my knee, instead. I scoot about the abode in my transfer wheel chair because it is so much quicker and easier than the walker. Plus it allows me to carry stuff in my hands or lap as I push myself along with my leg. But there is always a consequence, a trade-off…and the pain in my knee is confirming that! It seems it’s a damned-if-I-do, and damned-if-I-don’t kind of situation. I joke to my mom that I’ll finally get back on my legs and walking, but then my knee will blow out! Or my hip, which also gives me occasional grief. Incidentally, I have read that sharp hip pain (just like the kind I get) can also be a form of Diabetic neuropathy. Sigh! And too, a consequence of sitting all day is that your bones get soft and your muscles weak. I have been trying to counter this with regular bits of exercise and making it a point to stand and use the walker every hour or so to get good circulation. I had read about something called “Disuse Osteopedia”, which is caused by a variety of things, among which “Non-weight-bearing” is one of them. So of course I had a freak out, and my doctor ordered a bone density scan. I was so relieved when it came back completely normal, whew!
So my advice to those of us doing the non-weight-bearing, is to try to mix up your mode of transport. Don’t rely too heavily on one method, as it might start to do joint strain and damage. Switch back and forth between walker and wheelchair, for example, or knee scooter and walker, etc. Don’t let over-use become an opportunity for injury!! Stay strong, fellow Charcoter’s!
-Cassandra, Charcotchacha copyright 2015