Bursitis in my Knee :(

I did an intense cleaning session at the restaurant that I’m the Chef at and it required a lot of kneeling and vacuuming, about 2 weeks ago.  I think all of the kneeling set off some irritation in my left knee and now when I run over 30 minutes I get this inflamation just below kneecap and slightly to the inside of my leg.   The good thing is, it is not painful.  I have read up on bursitis of the knee, and there are several bursa sacs in the knee.  My particular problem is called

Pes anserinus bursitis

Bursa in the Knee

The remedy is R.I.C.E, (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) so I’ve been taking it easy and doing cross training on the bike and elliptical and running a little less.

Plus, Ice and compression combined with topical NSAID like Traumeel or MSM cream.

Nutritional Supplements can also be very effective at reducing inflamation and may be a better long term solution to controlling the bursitis or arthritis.

Nutrition and Supplements

Eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fatty fish or help reduce inflammation. Avoid processed foods and foods high in sugar and fat. The following supplements may help.

• Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg two or three times a day) — Glucosamine is a substance that is found in cartilage, the tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. There is mixed evidence that suggests it may help treat the pain of osteoarthritis, and it may also help reduce inflammation in bursitis.
• Omega-3 fatty acids (1,000 mg two or three times a day), such as fish oil or flaxseed oil. Although evidence is mixed on whether fish oil helps reduce inflammation, it seems to reduce the amount of inflammatory chemicals your body makes over time. Omega-3 fatty acids can increase the risk of bleeding. People who take blood-thinning medications or who have bleeding disorders should ask their doctor before taking them.
• Vitamin C with flavonoids (250 – 3,000 mg two times a day), to help repair connective tissue (such as cartilage).
• Bromelain (250 mg twice a day), an enzyme that comes from pineapples, reduces inflammation. Bromelain may increase the risk of bleeding, so people who take anticoagulants (blood thinners) should not take bromelain without first talking to their doctor. People with peptic ulcers should avoid bromelain. Turmeric is sometimes combined with bromelain, because it makes the effects of bromelain stronger. Turmeric and bromelain can increase the risk of bleeding. People who take blood-thinning medications or who have bleeding disorders should ask their doctor before taking them.

(excerpt taken from University of Maryland Medical Center

Pes Anserine Bursitis Treatment Options for a P.T.

· Have patient refrain from activities which increase symptoms

· Ice Massage/Ice Packs

· Postural Training/Functional Training

· ROM/Stretching

· Strengthening

· Massage/Soft Tissue Mobilization

· Joint Mobilization

· Gait Training

· Orthotics

· Ultrasound/Phonophoresis/Iontophoresis

There is a good site about bursitis at bursitis.org

I’m pretty sure that the kneeling episode set it off, but only combined with my high mileage, and poor mechanics on my left leg.  So I am working on stregthening my lower left leg.  Also the rolfing sessions are helping with proper mechanics.

On a “lighter” note…the Christmas season was great but not an ideal setting for losing weight.  Yeah, I put on a couple pounds, but I’m still much lighter than I was at this time last year, by about 10 lbs.  My favorite thing to do after the Holidays is the 5-day Reset, which is a nutritional based weight loss system made by a company that I work with and use.

5 Day RESET Kit

I was 194 this morning before I went to the gym…not good.  I’ll keep you updated on my 5 day results.

I also registered for my first triathlon, albeit an INDOOR tri, I’m excited.  I’m a little worried about the swim though, I haven’t swam for speed in, well, never.  I’ve swam laps before when I was younger, like 20 years ago.  Oh well, you gotta start somewhere right?  I will try to get in a pool before the Jan. 10th event, but it may not happen.  It’s only a 10 minute swim, then 30 min on the bike, then 20 min on the treadmill.  I’ve always wanted to get into Tri’s since I feel like my body type is more suited to that than it is to long distance running.  We’ll see where I stack up with very little training 🙂

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