Wellness

[novamc1]

@qualitygal

I hobbled into the orthopedist's office one day years ago, with a bulging, swollen knee............convinced that I either would never walk well again or would need that knee replaced.  Was given a choice between the shot and physical therapy. 

Opted for the therapy, went through about five or six sessions, and have never had a sore or swollen knee again, even though imaging showed I have total bone on bone in both knees and all cartilage is gone.  Go figure.

I walk miles on a treadmill or outdoors and take yoga classes.  Feel fine in the knee department.  My overly-zealous athlete of a husband has had numerous steroid shots in his lifetime and they never turned out to be a permanent solution to anything.

[SaRina]

Your course of action would depend on your diagnosis.

IMO, PT should be the first course of action, generally speaking. A shot can reduce inflammation and temporarily relieve pain, but it doesn't address the root of the problem for the longer term.  PT will strengthen muscles, tendons, ligaments, re-establishing knee integrityand thereby relieving pain. 

However, PT may be inappropriate and can even further harm your knee depending on your diagnosis.

BTW, Tai chi is a wonderful activity, which primarily helps to improve one's balance. It is not a knee rehab exercise.