And the results are in...

My Dodgy Knee's MRI scan has been reported, and it doesn't make happy reading. Now, I'm not an expert, but the language used by the expert radiographer seems pretty clear that, basically, it's knackered. My Dodgy Knee did have a nice time on the Isle of Wight, but given that my friend's knees (plural) aren't in great shape either, it wasn't tested too much. A couple of miles around Osborne House weren't too much of a problem.

Not sure where that goes next, except that I do have an appointment with the GP shortly. I know one shouldn't research stuff like this on t'interweb...

About time to test it out

Ahead of a long weekend in the mountains (of the Isle of Wight 😉), My Dodgy Knee suggested testing the efficacy of the anti-inflammatories with a two mile stroll. Let's just say that I shall be taking the second one tonight... but at least I didn't fall over.

Aunty Inflammatory, anyone?

Back on them, no idea how long for. They don't solve the problem (whatever the underlying cause may turn out to be) or suppress the pain entirely, but they do help enormously, My Dodgy Knee is at least less inflamed (finally). Some of the time I can even walk almost normally. Until I can't...

Probably not gout, then?

Well, the steroids achieved nothing. The stick is still taking some stick. On the upside, at least we now know that My Dodgy Knee's liver function is normal. Let's try an MRI scan and see what that tells us. Fantastic - and the appointment came through within a couple of days. Well worth curtailing my trip to the Lake District to come back for an actual diagnostic test.

Apparently it may take up to 4 weeks to be reported, though, what with it being summer and stuff, which is slightly less inspiring.

The Lake District Summer Music Festival is good, though, and there's enough legroom for My Dodgy Knee and for my stick that's taking too much stick.

Coniston Water from Brantwood, in case you're wondering.

Could it be gout?

I mean, I'm partial to a drop of port from time to time, but this seems undue reward for such an occasional pleasure. Time to up the Aunty and try some steroids! Oh, and a trip to Germany.

The Städel Museum in Frankfurt is well worth a visit, should you be passing.

As is the railway museum at Bochum Dahlhausen, but do be aware that it's over a mile from the nearest railway station and there's no public transport link. You know how My Dodgy Knee knows.

While it was very thoughtful of the airport staff at Frankfurt and Manchester to send My Dodgy Knee through the disabled access channel, it was also a little dispiriting to realise that I obviously looked that decrepit.

Err... not so fast

Ha! Not so fast, you old codger. A lovely trip to Bristol was somewhat slowed down by My Dodgy Knee. Come back Aunty Inflammatory, all is forgiven!

That stick is going to get some stick!

Diagnosis!

28 June dawned and with it the prospect of a diagnosis and a path to resolution. My Dodgy Knee was judged to be intrinsically sound. Some exercises were prescribed, and Aunty Inflammatory was pensioned off. Yay! To the hills! 

Time to visit the Doctor

After about a month, it was time to call the doctor. Which wasn't entirely successful, as the appointment essentially produced another appointment with a muscular skeletal practitioner in a month's time. But the anti-inflammatory tablets did start to help. Exercise continued, mainly walking...

My Dodgy Knee even went for a cycle ride...

My Dodgy Knee

It's about time the saga of the dodgy knee had its own page, so here it is. Apparently the domain "my right knee" isn't available, but "my dodgy knee" was, so here we are. In late April or early May (2025, just in case the saga goes on...) my right knee went from ok to dodgy, for reasons that remain unclear. Did I come off a stile too heavily? Or something else?