I can hear my knees crunching when I walk up the stairs.

[franke]

And this evening my right knee feels quite hot. I'm not in terrible pain, can kneel and everything, but I have been aware of it for a few months. Any ideas what it could be?

[IMoveTheStars]

mine have done this for years, do your knees creak when you crouch down too?

I've had an MRI and nothing has shown up, all the Dr can advise is loosing weight (I am a bit lardy, not saying you have the same problem )

ibuprofen will probably help, but you'll need to take it for a few days, 2-3 times a day to notice a differnce.

[Gigantaur]

i have it too. not been to the Dr's but i suspect arthritis. too much of a whimp to actually find out.
will be keen to see alternative explanations

[IMoveTheStars]

by the way, I'm in my early 30s, I do realise that my post makes me sound about 70!

[pantaloons]

I'm 28 and mine have done this for years, if I extend my legs out and put my hand on my knee I can feel it grinding. Only achey occasionally though and I live on painkillers for a bad back, so I suppose that helps! Crikey, what a bloody crock I am!

[lowlibido]

My Mum had this for a while, and got her knee "flushed out" (the grinding noise was er....tiny bits of knee ). I think it was a fairly minor surgical procedure, and it seems to have improved.

[franke]

Thanks everyone. My whole body creeks when I crouch down Jareth! Yes I think I need to lose a bit of weight, I'm the heaviest I've ever been at the mo. I'm in my early 40s and it's really come on from carrying 2yo ds up to the second floor for his naps. I don't want to go to the doctor either because it costs €€€ even though I have insurance (I'm in Germany). Doctors here are absolute vultures. So no one thinks it's hosuemaid'S knee then?

[Goober]

My knees make such a row when walking upstairs that it sounds like sellotape ripping off the stair with each step.
Have been to Dr with it.
Saw a physiotherapist she advised that yes joints are fucked and will continue to erode but that the best solution was to keep weight down and strengthen leg muscles to support knees.
I have lost 2 stone and go to 5 keep fit classes a week. No pain anymore.

[franke]

Goober, that sounds serious. What sort of keep fit can you do? I just started that 30-day shred thing and I think all the jumping jacks have got me where I am tonight after only 2 sessions

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Hello all - welcome to ageing. Tis your cartilege. Can be operated on which will provide temporary respite, but will return. Be thankful you can still kneel. I only kneel when I fall over! Glucosamine (or however you spell it) is the best recommendation. And wine.

[elsiepiddock]

Mine do this and have done since I was about 20. They crunch on way up and click on way down.

I have dislocated one knee twice but apart from that they give me no bother - am pretty fit though, I think that helps.

[Goober]

I do general aerobic exercises in a class. Is fun. I was overweight though. Now considered a healthy weight.
30 day shred may be too aggressive.
Squats and other leg exercises are more appropriate.
I am 107.

[IMoveTheStars]

Nooo, don't do squats if your knees are fecked - will do more damage!

Anti-inflammatory's, strengthening exercises (rather than anything that puts pressure on the joint) and yes, sorry to say, lose weight.

I did a mad few months last year of exercise/core stability and atkins. Lost a stone, obviously strengthened my joints, and knees were pain free.

Sadly the pizza has found me

please don't do any mad leg-strengthening thingers; you'll bugger them up more.

I am about 180lb. the strain on me knees is horrific. am trying, but constantly failing.
I can say that weight loss really really does help though.

(hmmm,. this turned into more of a confession than a helpful post, sorry about that)

[kickassangel]

mine have always been like this, even when i was a kid. now other people can hear them as i go upstairs.

i have seen numerous doc, physios etc - apparently, it could be operated on, but would only make them a little better.

so the only advice really is 'keep young & beautiful'

[Goober]

Squats are fine if done sparingly and properly.

[IMoveTheStars]

How do you do them properly? My physio always warned me off them

[agedknees]

Swimming is the best exercise if you have achey joints etc.

I know what you mean though. Just look at my username!!!

Diclofenac helps with the aches and pains.

[Goober]

Have to always make sure you can still see the toes, never bend over the toes. Stop if it hurts and make sure you stick your bum right back, keeping the back straight.

Also, standing on 1 leg and bending up and down for the count of 5, remembering to make sure you can still see the toes and swapping to other leg. Every day. I did this at first, before the classes, it was a good start.

[Gethsemane]

There are some good physio exercises on this website //www.sportsorthopaedicspecialist.co.uk the page on VMO is good for kneecap problems.

[smee]

Gethsemane, what's VMO? I had a quick look at your link, but can't find it.

[Gethsemane]

Its one of the muscles thats on the inside of the knee, and is the key to jus about all knee cap problems. He had a page on it in the Rehabilitation page:

www.sportsorthopaedicspecialist.co.uk/rehabilitation/vmo-exercises/

Give them a go.

Good luck

[smee]

Thanks Gethsemane. I'll take a look.

[Julialyne]

I have this. I saw a physio & she said it was patella femoral syndrome. It's a wear & tear of the joint. I was given exercises & orthotics in my shoes & I only get pain now if I walk upstairs or do hard aerobic exercise. Running is the worst thing for this condition. They will only operate in severe cases.

[ZhenThereWereTwo]

You could try taking some Glucosamine and Chondroitin, my 87 year old Granny swears by it (she was ballroom dancing until she was 85, so must do some good). Just check ingredients if you are allergic to shellfish as some brands may contain some.