Osteoarthritis

[Lisa06589]

Hi I went to my welfare meeting last Thursday. They said they want to know how long it will take to get better from my osteoarthritis of my knee. They don't want me to go back to quick in fear of losing my job and to lose the progress I have made so far .And they don't want to let me go .I feel they was giving me mixed messages.

Unless you have a replacement it doesn't get better does it, as it's wearing and tear.

You can use things to manage the pain though, my mum can't use ibuprofen creams like Voltorol but finds tiger balm and Flexiseq make a huge difference.

Is there an Occupational Therapist you can access through work to give guidance on adjustments that can be made to get you back to work longer term.

It's not mixed messages in some workplaces you can be off for a fair while in one episode but multiple short episodes make your attendance record worse. It might be worth reading you staff handbook and contacting ACAS.

Who was at the welfare meeting? Was this people from work?

I've got osteoarthritis and I'm not going to ever 'get better' from it unfortunately. With a knee, when they get really bad some people get successful part-knee replacement surgery. What country are you in, do you mind saying?

It's the first time I have been of its moderate osteoarthritis. The physio said l can make my muscles stronger legs it will improve.

I am in England don't want to have a knee replacement it is only moderate osteoarthritis. The physio said l can build the muscle up in my leg and my knee will be less painful and easier to use.

In that case lots of swimming and if overweight work hard to lose it as difficult as that is when youre not so mobile. Something like an exercise bike might be useful, you often find them in Charity shops at this time of year in preparation for the January health kick. There are also seated exercises available on YouTube and low impact exercise classes. For every lb you weigh it's 4lbs on your knees so dealing with that alongside making the muscles stronger will really help.

I have osteoarthritis..it will never get better.
It's just a case of managing it and taking adequate pain meds

I found an adapted Tai Chi class which was excellent for gentle, muscle-building movement.

Can you work from home? I have moderate psoriatic arthritis and just had occ health and she's suggesting WFH on flare up days, a new workspace at home too so stand up desk so u can move /sit/stand etc, I also saw the OT at hospital for hand splints, I'm sure the physio can give you knee splints/brace?
What sort of pain meds are you taking? Is there anything stronger you can get like strong codine, gabapentin etc? Also you can ask for support at work via Access to Woek to get modified work place support.
I'd expect your condition comes under the equality act too so they can't just shove you out
Good luck

I also have osteoarthritis and need both needs replacing - nothing I can do will improve the damage that has incurred, basically my knees are bone on bone. But losing weight will reduce some of the day to day pain by putting less pressure on my joints. There are also strengthening exercises I can do to improve the outcome and recovery after total knee replacement surgery such as going to the swimming baths and walking in the water. It’s weight bearing so almost pain free and will help the muscles around my knee become stronger.

So yes, your physio is correct that specific exercises will improve your muscle tone but it is unlikely to improve the pain levels as the damage is already been done, but it will slow down the damage and improve the outcome of any surgery.

Most NHS Trusts will want you to lose weight, attend physio, have cortisol injections and scans before referring you for knee replacements.

I'm a kitchen assistant so can't work from home.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition. It won’t get better but can be managed.
I have it in both knees, and it was a long process, but squats and lunges helped strengthen my legs and I can now get up and down stairs easily again.

Forgot to add, your employed can tick the ‘disabled’ box so it helps with their diversity statistics.