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Issue Date: November 17, 2002
I injured my knee in a yoga class (it might be the tendons or ligaments around my knee -- I can't really tell). Since then, I've continued with my yoga class and golfing but have stopped running. I'm trying to be careful about putting pressure on the knee. It sometimes pops when I walk, like it's out of joint or something. There's no swelling and no visible change in the muscle. What should I do to heal this injury?
R.G., California
My sympathies. Injuries are difficult to diagnose by mail, so you'll want to see your physician. To help you out for now, I have consulted with an orthopedic surgeon, who says you may have torn the shock absorber in the knee called the meniscus, which is similar to cartilage. Unfortunately, because the meniscus lacks a blood supply (which is required to heal any type of tissue), it will not heal. If left unattended, the torn meniscus will rub against the bone, causing a wear-and-tear type of arthritis.
I advise against participating in any high-impact activities, like running or aerobics, or any twisting motions in your yoga class, until you've seen an orthopedist. Meanwhile, to maintain range of motion in your knee, try some safe exercises to strengthen the quadriceps (the muscle on top of the thigh). You also might check out a new yoga tape called "Healing Moves for Aches and Pains" or pick up a copy of Carol and Mitchell Krucoff's book "Healing Moves: How to Cure, Relieve, and Prevent Common Ailments With Exercise".
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