On Bandaged Knee

I'm on bandaged knee (purposely written so it sounds like "I'm on bended knee" *grin*). Putting on pants is a torture, lifting my legs to go up the stairs is really painful and it is the same when I have to get into or get out from the car. Even shifting between clutch and brake has me gritting my teeth. I used to say driving an auto car 'tak macho lah' :D Now I wish I were driving one. Any activity that requires lifting my left leg up will see me grimacing in pain. This is what's written on the instruction sheet of Futuro Spiral Lift Knee Support I just bought.

... designed to give reassuring support to weak knee. It can help repair injured ligaments and other tissues by taking some of the strain off the joint.... Those who stand on their feet for long hours may find it helps them to avoid knee pain and stiffness...

This has been a very busy year for me. I have the highest number of training days among my peers this year. Despite my complaints about aching feet, I enjoyed the whole experience. Things get better the second half of the year. I got my wish to travel and I don’t have materials to prepare anymore since it has been taken care of at the beginning of the year. Only few updates now and then are required. That doesn’t mean I’ve not been busy with other things when I’m not conducting training though. Very rarely I feel like I have the time to get bored at work. For 2007, my calendar is already full with trainings up to April.

Normally, my painful feet can be cured with foot massage. At the very least, a good night's sleep. I didn't really expect this knee pain. I can't even remember when it begins but it really affected me on Christmas day. I have a vague recollection of feeling similar pain on and off during some of my trainings for the past few weeks but it must have not been so obvious that I can just ignore it. It got worse and worse since Christmas, despite the Deep Heating Rub and minyak angin, and I don't think I can drive at all yesterday. My brother had to send me to office. And the trip to the panel clinic had the doctor asked me about any history of arthritis. Arthritis? Me?

The doctor rubbed some ointment and put on a cheap bandage. I'm allergic to most painkillers so he can't give me any. I don't really want painkillers anyway. I want to know what's wrong and cure it. Not just lessen its pain. He mentioned the possibility of OA (Osteoarthritis). Sounds very medical and quite frightening to me. Not to mention, the article on OA mentions it normally begins after 45 for women. Yikes!!!! Could this be the work hazard of people doing my job that I have to face? Or is it something else altogether. Colleagues mentioned the possibility of gout which is not any better than OA. Sigh!

I hope these few days rest and Kinohimitsu can heal my knee. Otherwise, I fear of the unknown. Anyway, wishing everyone a Happy New Year!