My 2015 riding season is in question.

[solo1]

About a month ago my left knee became very painful and stiff.  On a scale of 1 to 10 it was a 9 when I had to bend it to get into my car.
I went to the orthopedic surgeon, had Xrays taken and we talked about it.  As an old Xray tech I saw the Xrays and my knees are really bad.  Rough joints, bone spurs and Baker cysts behind both knees.

The good news is that the left knee is better, for now, pain wise, but I'm just postponing the inevitable.
Prednisone shots are available if I need them.  I won't know until I get in the saddle to check things out and this is not riding weather for me.  The doctor said hold out until they become painful permanently.

I'm hoping to ride the Vstrom in reasonable comfort but I don't know.  However, at three months shy of 87 years old, I've been lucky .

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm hoping the best for you

[old2soon]

Wayne I'll say a prayer for you for healing.  I PRAY and hope you WILL be able to exercise your passion when the weather warms up.  I know I would like to have had a longer warranty!  RIDE SAFE.

[Valkjerk]

You sir, are an amazing piece of work. To be riding at your age is unfathomable to me. I'm 64 and just a pup compared to you. Maybe I didn't take good enough care of myself or something but I can't imagine I'll still be alive, much less, riding at that age. Kudos to you and I hope you can continue to ride. You are an inspiration to us all.

[Hook#3287]

Here's to your making 2015, 2016, 2017 and many, many more.

[t-man403]

"Glucosamine" is your friend!!!

I cannot believe the change this stuff has made for me. Give it a try....can't hurt.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Hoping you can have relative comfort as you continue your journey 2015 and beyond

[Jess from VA]

Obviously, knee replacement(s) may be in your future Wayne.  

But I like your doc's advice to wait till you have to have one (or two).  

I know I would put up with quite a bit before doing one, even thou they are commonplace today.  And the older we are, the harder the rehab/PT probably is.  I remember my dad called his rehab therapist the Marquis de Sade.

I'd do the shots first, maybe several of them.

I have a personal ultrasound that did wonders for my chronic Achilles tendonitis (it does not just relieve symptoms but actually heals soft tissue damage), but in reading up on them, the knee was probably the hardest joint to get relief from one because of the hard patella.  

The commercial ones penetrate better/deeper than the little ones like I have.

Supplements may also be a good idea (no experience).    

[The emperor has no clothes]

"Glucosamine" is your friend!!!

I cannot believe the change this stuff has made for me. Give it a try....can't hurt.

What kind and how much do you take ?

[solo1]

i'm taking supplements.  The first one is Montmorency cherry juice.  I started taking that this summer and it helped (until the left knee episode.)  Before I had to straighten my left leg on the highway pegs at 10 minutes, after I could go 45 minutes.  Not sure now.

The second one is Move Free(trademark)  with UC II, supposed to do the same as glucosamine but a small pill once a day.  The jury is out on that as I started taking that one week ago.

[bscrive]

You need to get into a 3 wheeled bike Wayne.  At least you won't need to hold it up.  Hope you get better soon.

[solo1]

I tried three wheels six years ago (side car).  Didn't work for me, no banking in the curves. It's either two wheels or four.

[BobB]

Prednisone shots are available if I need them.  I won't know until I get in the saddle to check things out and this is not riding weather for me.  The doctor said hold out until they become painful permanently.

I've had a bad left knee for a long time.  Surgery over 25 years ago took out most of the cartilage and the knee will eventually have to be replaced.  I've had a shot in the spring of 2012 and 2014 which have worked wonders and allowed me to continue to walk and ride.  My Mayo Clinic doctor has no hesitation to use it.

[jima]

I'm 58 have had left replacemed twice, first one broke after 10 years due to a design flaw, second one has 10 years 0n it. Had the right one replaced 8 years ago, they are better than the damaged ones, but not perfect. Good luck to you.

[t-man403]

"Glucosamine" is your friend!!!

I cannot believe the change this stuff has made for me. Give it a try....can't hurt.

What kind and how much do you take ?

Sorry I missed this. 

I'm not an expert ...... I just do as I'm told. I follow a "wholistic" Dr.
I've been in several car accidents (none my fault) and have had several broken bones.
I still play hockey (goaltending) tore the left knee meniscus two seasons ago. I had both my shoulders done about five years ago that included rotator repair and re-attachment of two tendons and ligaments. Fractured my neck in the last accident and basically couldn't turn my head left more than about thirty degree's. Went to the U of C to have them find out what I did to my knee and as stated already it was in need of repair which they were eager to do as they were the ones that did my shoulders.
Wholistic Dr. says "don't let them touch you!" Take the Glucosamine along with calcium and watch what happens. The products I'm taking are through a network marketing company so I will not say the brand here. Personally, I would think if you can get high quality products somewhere...... do it, it works IMO!
I was taking 7 caps a day and after about 2 weeks the DR. asks me how it's going. "Not that good" I say. He asks how many caps I'm taking, I tell him and he says "7!!! a guy your size needs to take 27".  So that's what I did and in the next month my knee felt great! I'm back in net!
Now the bonus.......I was so focused on my knee I didn't notice that my head was turning left just fine and no pain.
So go to your local health food store and get good quality glucosamine and calcium and take it like you would medicine every day till it's gone. What ever the bottle says, double it. Take the Calcium before bed and you'll sleep very well....at least most do.
If you want to get product specific, PM me.

[R J]

Calcium worked just the opposite on sleep for me.

It kept me up 1/2 the night with twitches, tingles and etc.

Dr cut me in 1/2 on the Calcium and it seems to be working now, except for the good sleep.

Sleep is better as long as I'm dead tired when I go to bed.

Regardless, I'm up and squirrely in 5 hours.

[Hooter]

We are at the age now where we are paying for what we did years ago when we were 10' tall and bullet proof. 3 times on my right knee, not replaced just fixed. Have an MCL tear in my left that has been there for years. It's OK, but sometimes I have my moments. I think when I can't navigate on two wheels for whatever reason I will probably be done. Thought about a trike but its a question right now. I've had a good run riding since 68 and enjoyed all of it and met some really nice people.

[The emperor has no clothes]

"Glucosamine" is your friend!!!

I cannot believe the change this stuff has made for me. Give it a try....can't hurt.

What kind and how much do you take ?

Sorry I missed this. 

I'm not an expert ...... I just do as I'm told. I follow a "wholistic" Dr.
I've been in several car accidents (none my fault) and have had several broken bones.
I still play hockey (goaltending) tore the left knee meniscus two seasons ago. I had both my shoulders done about five years ago that included rotator repair and re-attachment of two tendons and ligaments. Fractured my neck in the last accident and basically couldn't turn my head left more than about thirty degree's. Went to the U of C to have them find out what I did to my knee and as stated already it was in need of repair which they were eager to do as they were the ones that did my shoulders.
Wholistic Dr. says "don't let them touch you!" Take the Glucosamine along with calcium and watch what happens. The products I'm taking are through a network marketing company so I will not say the brand here. Personally, I would think if you can get high quality products somewhere...... do it, it works IMO!
I was taking 7 caps a day and after about 2 weeks the DR. asks me how it's going. "Not that good" I say. He asks how many caps I'm taking, I tell him and he says "7!!! a guy your size needs to take 27".  So that's what I did and in the next month my knee felt great! I'm back in net!
Now the bonus.......I was so focused on my knee I didn't notice that my head was turning left just fine and no pain.
So go to your local health food store and get good quality glucosamine and calcium and take it like you would medicine every day till it's gone. What ever the bottle says, double it. Take the Calcium before bed and you'll sleep very well....at least most do.
If you want to get product specific, PM me.

Thanks, I'm going to give it a shot. Luckily I haven't had as many incidents to my body as you have but things are starting to catch up to me. Glad you are playing Hockey again. IMO the best game around, haven't played since High School in AK but there is nothing more exciting of a game.

[solo1]

Two weeks into taking Move Free UCII has my crepitus (crunching) almost gone.

However, the Baker cyst in my left knee seems to be the culprit here. The surgeon says that he won't do anything about that until the knee is replaced at the same time.

Both knees have no pain when I walk but the left knee doesn't like standing still.

Oh well.

[Pappy!]

Sounds like you are seeing some improvement. Good for you!
Maybe there is a DR650 or DRZ 400SM in your future? Light and nimble.

[solo1]

No other bike in the future.  I'm well satisfied with my 2006 Vstrom 1000 and I like the power, the ride, and handling AND it's 100% paid for and has been for a long time.

[t-man403]

Calcium worked just the opposite on sleep for me.

It kept me up 1/2 the night with twitches, tingles and etc.

Dr cut me in 1/2 on the Calcium and it seems to be working now, except for the good sleep.

Sleep is better as long as I'm dead tired when I go to bed.

Regardless, I'm up and squirrely in 5 hours.

I'd bet you have a blood sugar issue.
Calcium is a natural muscle relaxant. Don't eat to late into the evening and see what that does for your sleep. Liquid calcium is best by far for absorption.

[t-man403]

"Glucosamine" is your friend!!!

I cannot believe the change this stuff has made for me. Give it a try....can't hurt.

What kind and how much do you take ?

Sorry I missed this. 

I'm not an expert ...... I just do as I'm told. I follow a "wholistic" Dr.
I've been in several car accidents (none my fault) and have had several broken bones.
I still play hockey (goaltending) tore the left knee meniscus two seasons ago. I had both my shoulders done about five years ago that included rotator repair and re-attachment of two tendons and ligaments. Fractured my neck in the last accident and basically couldn't turn my head left more than about thirty degree's. Went to the U of C to have them find out what I did to my knee and as stated already it was in need of repair which they were eager to do as they were the ones that did my shoulders.
Wholistic Dr. says "don't let them touch you!" Take the Glucosamine along with calcium and watch what happens. The products I'm taking are through a network marketing company so I will not say the brand here. Personally, I would think if you can get high quality products somewhere...... do it, it works IMO!
I was taking 7 caps a day and after about 2 weeks the DR. asks me how it's going. "Not that good" I say. He asks how many caps I'm taking, I tell him and he says "7!!! a guy your size needs to take 27".  So that's what I did and in the next month my knee felt great! I'm back in net!
Now the bonus.......I was so focused on my knee I didn't notice that my head was turning left just fine and no pain.
So go to your local health food store and get good quality glucosamine and calcium and take it like you would medicine every day till it's gone. What ever the bottle says, double it. Take the Calcium before bed and you'll sleep very well....at least most do.
If you want to get product specific, PM me.

Thanks, I'm going to give it a shot. Luckily I haven't had as many incidents to my body as you have but things are starting to catch up to me. Glad you are playing Hockey again. IMO the best game around, haven't played since High School in AK but there is nothing more exciting of a game.

Don't be afraid to take lots to start and then when you feel improvement you can back off some just to maintain at that point. You should be prepared to give it a 3 month go.  It's not a hit and miss thing. Like some take meds the rest of their life ..... I'll be supplementing the rest of mine. I even had my sups with me at "InZane" last year.  Another thing that I noticed, my lower back doesn't ache like before.

[Robert]

I heard Knox gelatine is good for joints also. Keep you in my prayers but hope I will still be riding at 87.

[The emperor has no clothes]

"Glucosamine" is your friend!!!

I cannot believe the change this stuff has made for me. Give it a try....can't hurt.

What kind and how much do you take ?

Sorry I missed this. 

I'm not an expert ...... I just do as I'm told. I follow a "wholistic" Dr.
I've been in several car accidents (none my fault) and have had several broken bones.
I still play hockey (goaltending) tore the left knee meniscus two seasons ago. I had both my shoulders done about five years ago that included rotator repair and re-attachment of two tendons and ligaments. Fractured my neck in the last accident and basically couldn't turn my head left more than about thirty degree's. Went to the U of C to have them find out what I did to my knee and as stated already it was in need of repair which they were eager to do as they were the ones that did my shoulders.
Wholistic Dr. says "don't let them touch you!" Take the Glucosamine along with calcium and watch what happens. The products I'm taking are through a network marketing company so I will not say the brand here. Personally, I would think if you can get high quality products somewhere...... do it, it works IMO!
I was taking 7 caps a day and after about 2 weeks the DR. asks me how it's going. "Not that good" I say. He asks how many caps I'm taking, I tell him and he says "7!!! a guy your size needs to take 27".  So that's what I did and in the next month my knee felt great! I'm back in net!
Now the bonus.......I was so focused on my knee I didn't notice that my head was turning left just fine and no pain.
So go to your local health food store and get good quality glucosamine and calcium and take it like you would medicine every day till it's gone. What ever the bottle says, double it. Take the Calcium before bed and you'll sleep very well....at least most do.
If you want to get product specific, PM me.

Thanks, I'm going to give it a shot. Luckily I haven't had as many incidents to my body as you have but things are starting to catch up to me. Glad you are playing Hockey again. IMO the best game around, haven't played since High School in AK but there is nothing more exciting of a game.

Don't be afraid to take lots to start and then when you feel improvement you can back off some just to maintain at that point. You should be prepared to give it a 3 month go.  It's not a hit and miss thing. Like some take meds the rest of their life ..... I'll be supplementing the rest of mine. I even had my sups with me at "InZane" last year.  Another thing that I noticed, my lower back doesn't ache like before.

If I can pick your brain a little. I picked up some "triple strength glucosamine chondroitin msm today (1500 mg. glucosamine 1200 mg. chondroitin) The dosage says 2 tablets a day. First of all, is this the right kind of stuff and what kind of dosage would you recommend? I understand you are not a Dr. Just looking for advice from someone who has firsthand experience  

[t-man403]

"Glucosamine" is your friend!!!

I cannot believe the change this stuff has made for me. Give it a try....can't hurt.

What kind and how much do you take ?

Sorry I missed this. 

I'm not an expert ...... I just do as I'm told. I follow a "wholistic" Dr.
I've been in several car accidents (none my fault) and have had several broken bones.
I still play hockey (goaltending) tore the left knee meniscus two seasons ago. I had both my shoulders done about five years ago that included rotator repair and re-attachment of two tendons and ligaments. Fractured my neck in the last accident and basically couldn't turn my head left more than about thirty degree's. Went to the U of C to have them find out what I did to my knee and as stated already it was in need of repair which they were eager to do as they were the ones that did my shoulders.
Wholistic Dr. says "don't let them touch you!" Take the Glucosamine along with calcium and watch what happens. The products I'm taking are through a network marketing company so I will not say the brand here. Personally, I would think if you can get high quality products somewhere...... do it, it works IMO!
I was taking 7 caps a day and after about 2 weeks the DR. asks me how it's going. "Not that good" I say. He asks how many caps I'm taking, I tell him and he says "7!!! a guy your size needs to take 27".  So that's what I did and in the next month my knee felt great! I'm back in net!
Now the bonus.......I was so focused on my knee I didn't notice that my head was turning left just fine and no pain.
So go to your local health food store and get good quality glucosamine and calcium and take it like you would medicine every day till it's gone. What ever the bottle says, double it. Take the Calcium before bed and you'll sleep very well....at least most do.
If you want to get product specific, PM me.

Thanks, I'm going to give it a shot. Luckily I haven't had as many incidents to my body as you have but things are starting to catch up to me. Glad you are playing Hockey again. IMO the best game around, haven't played since High School in AK but there is nothing more exciting of a game.

Don't be afraid to take lots to start and then when you feel improvement you can back off some just to maintain at that point. You should be prepared to give it a 3 month go.  It's not a hit and miss thing. Like some take meds the rest of their life ..... I'll be supplementing the rest of mine. I even had my sups with me at "InZane" last year.  Another thing that I noticed, my lower back doesn't ache like before.

If I can pick your brain a little. I picked up some "triple strength glucosamine chondroitin msm today (1500 mg. glucosamine 1200 mg. chondroitin) The dosage says 2 tablets a day. First of all, is this the right kind of stuff and what kind of dosage would you recommend? I understand you are not a Dr. Just looking for advice from someone who has firsthand experience  

At 1500mg. I'd start at 6 as you said your not as beat up as me. They won't hurt you, and what is not absorbed, your body will eliminate. In time you should notice some change and then you can do as the bottle says to stay maintained.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks T-man Gonna start tomorrow.