I was 22 years old, sitting in the doctors office after having surgery on my right knee. Three weeks earlier I had torn my meniscus during volleyball practice so badly that my knee was locked at a 90 degree angle.

The doctor said the procedure had gone smoothly and asked if I was managing the pain okay. I was and my knee could move normally again. He explained what my future might look like. He said young people who have their meniscus removed have a very high risk of developing early onset osteoarthritis. He said “Don’t take up running and avoid any other high impact exercise”.

I was crushed. My whole identity up to that point was based on being an athlete and having the ability to engage in physical activity with confidence.

I began to feel like I was losing a part of myself.

After graduating from Vancouver Island University with a degree in Sport, Health & Physical Education, I applied to Chiropractic school in Toronto. I was accepted to the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 2015.

There I learned what evidence-based practice was. Like three legs of a stool, evidence-based practice involves helping people using:

• The best available research.

• The clinician’s experience.

• The patient’s values & goals.

We were taught how to critically evaluate research and how to apply those findings to better help our patients. I also used my new skills to find out if what the doctor had told me about my future with osteoarthritis was true.

He was right about one thing. That I have a good chance at developing osteoarthritis and 12 years after the injury I’m beginning to feel it. But, what I also learned was that physical activity is critical for the health of my knee - even running! People over the age of 50 with knee arthritis who run have less pain and less progression of the disease.

I learned that people living with osteoarthritis are less likely to be given lifestyle, exercise and weight loss advice compared to people who live with diabetes or cardiovascular disease. I learned that people living with persisting pain conditions are not receiving quality care. Like, some how, the health of our joints are ‘less important’.

Since my injury I’ve worked as a wildfire fighter, I’ve completed multi-day hikes in the Himalayas and finished an ultramarathon trail race.

I still deal with pain flare-ups and worrying thoughts about what my future might be like. I still have good days and bad days.

But, the education, experience and skills I’ve gained has allowed me to self-manage my knee pain with confidence. The things I've done since my injury have been some of the best experiences of my life. Had I listened to the advice I got from most of the healthcare providers I saw, I would not have had those opportunities to live a meaningful life with knee arthritis.

I’d like to empower you to do the same.