Living and Skiing with Arthritis
In February of 2005, I was diagnosed with a condryl defect and arthritis in my right knee. I continued to try to ski through pain and swelling for about a month before I finally opted to get arthroscopic surgery.
As a professional athlete and an eighth-year U.S. Ski Team member, my knees have been through more wear-and-tear than most do in their lifetime, but facing such a long-term and degenerating condition at the young age of twenty-three was a tough reality to accept. Although I’d had my share of injuries—including torn ACL’s in both knees—this was my first injury that wasn’t altogether fixable. I was really scared about what my diagnosis meant for my career, as well as my long-term health.
The best way to treat the arthritic “pot hole” in my articular cartilage is an invasive micro-fracture surgery that requires a lengthy period of rehab. Instead—in hopes of preserving my Olympic aspirations for 2006—my surgeon and I opted to do a minor procedure intended to alleviate my symptoms and prevent the defect from growing bigger…but not necessarily fix it.
For several months following my surgery I still struggled with knee pain and continued frustration. I wondered when, or if, I was going to be able to ski again pain-free. I worried about the possibility of being forced to cut my career short before I was ready to. I questioned if pushing through my condition now would be harmful to my knee in the future. And mostly, I was frightened that my efforts to overcome the injury wouldn’t be rewarded with an Olympic berth.
But one day, emerging from my persistent doubts and fears, I suddenly felt wholeheartedly ready to “dive in” to the process. I came to the realization that the human body is built to regenerate, not degenerate. And so, since then, I’ve poured every available effort, thought, and resource into providing a healthy environment for my knee to heal and regenerate.
I have been taking vitamins and supplements, and getting acupuncture and massage. I continue to reap the mental, spiritual, and physical benefits of practicing yoga. I devotedly adhere to the strength program designed specifically for my body and knee by my trainer, which includes innovative low resistance/high repetition exercises. I have been doing a lot of plyometrics to prepare my body for the explosiveness of ski racing, along with countless hours of lower impact activities like cycling.
While I began doing an array of things for my physical health, I quickly discovered that my proactive behavior made me feel more empowered mentally. It makes me feel confident knowing that I have been doing anything and everything possible to help myself… And having positive thoughts, I’ve learned, are the most productive tools in overcoming adversity.
The process hasn’t been easy, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. My body feels healthier and stronger than ever before, and the only time I feel knee pain is when it’s rainy or when the ski conditions are particularly rough. I’ve come back from injuries and fought through adversity before, but this time it’s different. This time—as I savor every squat, jump, or turn I make—I know I’ve already proven that I can overcome an obstacle I once considered insurmountable.
Today, arthritis affects 66 million Americans. As I’ve realized, it’s a challenging and discouraging condition. I am proud to report that I contribute to the Arthritis Foundation’s fund to research, treat, and hopefully one day, cure the disease. To find resources and information about arthritis, or to make a contribution yourself, visit www.arthritis.org .
With the right approach, people living with arthritis can live healthy, happy, and active lifestyles!