Question
Hi Sharon Davis,

I am a regular jogger. Few months back, one day I did a long jog and few new yoga streching excercises. I think my pain started after that.

For the last three months, I have severe tightness and constant pain at the back of my knee. Pain is maximun in mornings when I wake up limping. Walk and jogg makes it a little better.

I did MRI and saw two orthopedic specialists. MRI says no cyst but intrasubstance tear or meniscal degeneration. I took films of my MRI with me. One said I have cyst other said no.

Nowadays I am on daily Vioxx 25 mg and Ultracet to be taken on pain (2 tablets every 4-6 hours). I wear a knee support too. But they are not helping me a much in reducing my pain. Only Vioxx 50 mg helps a little but doctor says I cannot take 50 mg everyday. I cannot sleep fully at nights.

What I do? Am I getting right treatment? I will greatly appreciate your help.

1. What excercises can help me?
2. Should jogging will help me or should I avoid it?
3. How long will it take to cure 100%?

My MRI report says this:
Obliquely oriented singal abnormility within the posterior horn of medial meniscus, which may represent an intrasubstance tear or meniscal degeneration.

Retropateller effusion; small effusion within the intercondyler notch.

No popliteal cyst is seen.


Answer
I wish I could help you, but first of all, knee problems are not my area, second of all, your question is so far out of my expertise that I can't answer it.

If I were you, I'd go to the biggest hospital in your area and find the head of orthopedics and see that person.

best of luck to you.