Well, that wasn't quite the original plan...

When My Dodgy Knee was first referred to the muscular skeletal specialist in Buxton, it was with a view to having a knee replacement operation. That's still a distinct possibility, but in the short (medium?) term, the pain and inflammation has reduced significantly and it would seem that My Dodgy Knee and I can soldier on for a bit.

My Dodgy Knee has been keen to get back to the Tuesday Walkers, and so with a short (pre-lunch) walk on offer, we set off for some 3½ miles round the local area. Any pretence that I'm only a fair weather walker has long since been dispelled, and those of us (fool)hardy enough to go all got suitably drenched. Aside from the weather, all went well, so as the next one was a little long at 4-5 miles, off we went again.

As can be seen from the photo of Brough Mill, it was a pleasant winter day. So having reached Aston we decided to head on to Castleton. At this point, My Dodgy Knee contemplated bailing out, but foolishly decided not to do so. After all, it's only going to add a couple of miles to the walk, right?

These days, barely half the Hope Valley buses bother to come via Bradwell, so the option to catch a bus back from Castleton was not really there. Thus it was a case of in for a penny, in for a pound. Or, as it turned out, in for 8¾ miles. It may be said that the final ascent up Smalldale towards home was taken rather "steadily"... but this time, seemingly no significant or long lasting ill effects, so we'll take that as a win.

It's been a while...

The main reason for the silence is that there hasn't been much to report. That said, I'm not sure my physio would have recommended a trip to Texas that included sitting still on an aeroplane for 10½ hours (yes, I travelled stowage class). Nevertheless, My Dodgy Knee and I survived - nay, enjoyed - our trip.

And yes, we did trek up the Enchanted Rock, and back down again (perhaps more to the point), and all the way round it as well. A good 4 miles. Actually, My Dodgy Knee and I accumulated nearly 9 miles that day, although in small doses.

Obviously My Dodgy Knee took advantage of the (rare) opportunities to use public transport (you knew there'd be a train somewhere).

Previous experience has suggested that My Dodgy Knee isn't too keen driving long distances but a 2+ hour drive each way to visit the Alamo passed off well.

Fortunately for everyone's knees, the NASA Johnson Space Centre in Houston provide a tram shuttle around the site.

But sometimes, what My Dodgy Knee really needs is a beer...

Pushing on regardless...

My Dodgy Knee decided that, since it was a nice afternoon, we should get out for a walk. Although My Dodgy Knee started complaining within a hundred yards, and despite howls of protestation, it was decreed that we would Push On Regardless. 3.14 miles since you ask, and yes, the .14 does count. There was a certain amount of leaning on my walking pole (admiring the view, obviously) and I guess we'll know tomorrow if Pushing On Regardless was a good idea or not.

Training...

So... the MSK advice was that "if it still hurts an hour after exercise, you've done too much". Not entirely sure where "it still damned well hurts a week later" fits into that, except that I've probably done further damage. Anyway, I'd booked a guard shift on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway for Friday and as it all seemed manageable, decided to press ahead. 

Happily, all went well, confirming that I can still be a guard; I have one more shift booked this year. The weather can only be described as challenging, with Storm Amy arriving. The river Esk and Whillan Beck both rose dramatically during the day, and the drive home was... interesting... I don't think I've ever driven through water (basically the river Duddon) that deep, and I am usually partial to a nice ford. This is a "library photo" of River Mite, which was on my train, as the weather on Friday didn't permit photography!

Testing, testing

My Dodgy Knee has been reluctant to go back to our local Tuesday Walkers group for fear of being unable to complete a walk and becoming a burden. However, by this week, My Dodgy Knee accepted that it was time to at least give it a go; the proposed walk was more or less alongside a bus route (admittedly on the other side of the River Derwent), so we figured that there was a potential route out if needed.

5.6 miles completed, and no buses were invoked. Coming down by Offerton Hall wasn't great, and I might treat My Dodgy Knee to an anti inflammatory tonight, but not in much pain one hour after getting back - the medical advice being that if it's still hurting an hour later, I've done too much.

X rated knee

So the x-ray results are in. It seems the bony bits of My Dodgy Knee are in reasonable condition - nay, even quite good condition for a fat lazy old bloke. On with the exercises, the walking and the cycling, in the hope (or expectation?) that we might get to a better place. Not guaranteed, and a knee replacement may yet become necessary, but maybe time and exercise will help.

But I have booked a follow up appointment for December just in case.

Playing trains

A weekend in the Keighley area passed off peacefully, although My Dodgy Knee did baulk at a 1.6 mile walk from the hotel to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Fortunately one of the group has the Uber app...

A wander round Shibden Hall wasn't too painful, so this was followed by a trek down to the café at the bottom of the park. Sadly, the miniature railway wasn't running.

So just to see how far My Dodgy Knee could be persuaded to go, we had a visit to Kirkstall Abbey as well...

Followed by a couple of days tootling around the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Sitting on a train doesn't cause any discomfort...

Happily, a walk along the river valley went swimmingly...

Tour de Howden?

My Dodgy Knee has heard that cycling is ok for osteo-arthritis. Now it must be said that I'm neither a competent nor an enthusiastic cyclist, but given that some low impact exercise seems sensible, My Dodgy Knee and I set off to Fairholmes to hire a bike.

The weather was on our side, so there were no excuses.

Kings Tree and Slippery Stones are places Gillian and I enjoyed visiting, whether by bike, on foot or by Tramper. Coffee at Kings Tree and lunch at Slippery Stones, therefore.

And, dear reader, My Dodgy Knee cycled all the way round, no pushing (I'm rather pathetically proud of that minor achievement).

What was that about uneven ground?

My Dodgy Knee has found it rather hard (sic) to keep off uneven ground, living as we do in the Peak District and spending time in the Lake District, both of which have rather a lot of uneven ground. But it's covered a few miles without too much ill effect (although it does vary from day to day, with today being in the less good category).

I mean, Tarn Hows is beautiful even when the sunshine is liquid. 2.6 miles, since you ask, with a knee support.

The view from the top of Gummer's How was pretty good too, this time with the other type of sunshine. 1.6 miles, but a lot of steps and there may have been some clambering involved.

Awaiting the results of the X-ray currently, but My Dodgy Knee expects to remain dodgy for a while yet.

Patience, dear boy

On Wednesday, I took myself by train off to visit Bradford cathedral. This is the first "new" cathedral that I've visited entirely on my own. Fairly obviously, it was a slightly emotional experience but all went well.

As I was heading back to Bradford Interchange (toddling along as I was a little behind schedule), it did occur to me that a) it wasn't normal to walk with a limp, even with a walking pole, and b) neither was it normal for a relatively short (half a mile) walk to actually be painful.

Anyway, off to see the muscular-skeletal specialist this morning bright and early. I'm afraid that I took quite a bit of her time, but from my perspective time well spent. As previously related, My Dodgy Knee is essentially pretty much knackered. The osteo-arthritis is sufficiently severe that the damage won't heal, and a repair to the tear in the meniscus, while technically possible, would mostly likely only alleviate the symptoms for a month or so. Since other parts are broadly intact (well, with a couple of exceptions), knee strengthening exercises look to be the only viable option.

The knee will gradually abrade the torn meniscus such that it will be less painful (small mercies). Exercise that doesn't cause much pain is ok, and maintaining fitness is important. Exercise that causes pain that lasts for an hour after stopping should be avoided. Strengthening exercises probably need to move up a gear from the ones that I've been doing, and new ones have been provided. Walking with a knee support is ok, now that the inflammation has reduced, so My Dodgy Knee gave that a go immediately we got home.

The MRI revealed arthritis as expected, but an x-ray has been requested to see what the bone structure is looking like. That's booked for Monday, after which further consultations, and probably a need to find a physiotherapist of my own. Timescales of six months to a year were mentioned...

Well, the referral went through quickly. Got a letter saying we'll be in touch... at some point in the next two months. The good news is that two days later I got a phone call offering an appointment at the end of this week. Managed about 3 miles in Bridlington on Friday, so maybe some progress, who knows. Watch this space, I guess.

Yup, it's knackered

Well, the GP agreed that the MRI report didn't paint a great picture of My Dodgy Knee. I guess I now know not to overdo the exercise, but to still do what I can, especially the physio ones. I think my body had more or less pointed that out. Referral to muscular-skeletal triage, with the possibility of an onwards referral to orthopaedics in Sheffield. Would I consider surgery? Well, yes, if it will restore some function! I mean, my chances of ever walking the South Downs Way currently are zero...