Knee's are notoriously dodgy blighters! i hope it is gradually improving/ As for the comments about the cane and peoples lack of understanding, you are right- but at least they don't amke an assumption about you being drunk etc. One of the others i met at the Ms society PT was having a tough time, she had previously been close to an olympic standard ice skater and now had MS. Unfortunately less than 4 yrs after dx, she had quite severe ataxia but she was trying to resist using a can or walker. She was really upset because she had fallen and people had just walked around her, commenting on how disgusting it was that she drink so much! she has now come to terms with using the walker and not only has it decreased her risk of falling but its like it has legitimised her unsteady gait- it not pleasant that people are so ill informed but it is the nature of human beings- very quick to make snap judgements