The Blunt Kiwi Truth

After 10 days of pain in my knee, I decided to stop by the university physiosomething office. This office deals with all sports injuries and most are treated for free under New Zealand's public healthcare system. Like most doctors or people who have to touch my hands or feet, the physiotherapist was a little put off by my very wet feet and hands. He didn't seem satisfied with my explanation of hyperhidrosis (a condition that I'm sure sounds made up) but continued to examine my knee nonetheless. 

I have dealt with several sports doctors back home and have had generally pleasant experiences. They usually examine the injured area, have me do a few stretches and then explain what the problem is. The explanation is usually some sort of torn this or inflamed that, maybe a stress fracture. Following the diagnosis, I am given stretches to do or some sort of brace or maybe a series of "e-stim" treatments. 

My physiotherapy appointment in New Zealand started out the same way, but when it came time for a diagnosis, I was in for a major blow to my self-esteem. It turns out that the intense pain that I had been feeling in my knee was not a result of bursitis, or a damaged meniscus, but rather a more chronic condition: general weakness. Other names for the condition are: scrawnyness, skinnyness, feebleness, little girl syndrome, frailness,  Trevor Braun. 

After pointing out that that my knee problem was caused by the lack of muscle around the joint, the physiotherapist poked at other parts of my leg explaining that I really didn't have much muscle anywhere on my legs. It was only until he squeezed my upper arm and said, "not much here either," that I responded with, "yes, okay, okay, I know." 

The treatment is equally straightforward. I have to get less skinny. We'll see how that goes.