Have you ever broken a bone?

I haven’t actually broken a bone, but I did tear my meniscus last year while doing step-up exercises after a few months off from working out. It started with swelling and discomfort, and I was diagnosed with joint effusion in the knee.

I chose not to have surgery since it doesn’t always guarantee full recovery. Instead, I focused on physical therapy, consistent movement, and supplements. I took a joint supplement for about nine months and stopped earlier this month to see how my knee would respond. So far, so good.

I can now lift my injured knee without pain and squat all the way to the floor—something I couldn’t do last year. Occasionally, I feel discomfort when I’ve been sitting too long or when I’m tired, and I still hear the occasional pop in my knee, but it’s much better than before.

Though it wasn’t a broken bone, the injury taught me patience, discipline, and how powerful steady progress can be.