Knee osteoarthritis

[fedupandtired1]

Hi i got diagnosed 4 years ago with this , it’s getting so bad , I also have hyper mobile joints especially in my knees . My knees can pop out of joint up to 50 times a day.
I feel no one takes me seriously I have not been referred for a consultation or any help at all.
i feel i‘m going to have to give up work soon as a nurse because i cant even bend down for basic nursing care/ if someone falls .
how do i go about benefits? I’ve just turned 50.
i feel so depressed i can’t even have sex anymore , my dh is very understanding but i also have needs

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I have just been diagnosed with this. My GP letter confirming this states I should get in touch with them if I want referred to orthopaedics. Why have you not been referred? That sounds terrible.

so sorry to hear this op, the pain sounds really bad.
couple of things to consider

• are you a nurse in the nhs? A lot of nhs occ health depts have physios that staff can see, they will know the local system and be able to advise you (even if they can’t directly refer themselves). They can also make temp adjustments at work to help the symptoms get under control.
• search for the ‘nhs England knee arthritis decision tool’. read it to understand your options and see what you feel you need right now.
• try to book (another, if you have already tried this) appt with the physio in your gp surgery or self refer to the primary care MSK service in your area if this is possible.
• take the decision tool with you and explain to them (again, if you have already tried this ) what it is you are seeking (be it physio, scans, surgery etc).

be clear on your options, discuss with the healthcare team and hopefully feel like you can move forwards in your care.

You could apply for ill health retirement if your condition means you cannot continue nursing and have explored all forms of treatment with no chance of improvement. However, I’d also be pushing for knee transplants!

hi thanks for your replies so I managed to get a gp
appointment this morning for the 1st time In in 4years it was a gp and not the ANP that I usually see .
she was fantastic I’ve to get a x-ray next week and she’s also referred me to orthopaedics , she also started me on codine I’ve already had 2 and it really has helped the pain . She also signed me off for 2 weeks .
she is doing a referral to physio, but advised me to do this through my occupational health with nhs . I’ve done the referral form. I’m already feeling more positive as I feel I’ve been listened to

How was the arthritis originally diagnosed 4yrs ago? Xray, MRI, other?
I'm an ex dancer but my main job is also in healthcare and previously on my feet walking miles each day, so I absolutely sympathise re the work aspect of being so limited. At one point, I couldn't sleep due to pain, could barely walk and
considered that an amputation would be better than putting up with the pain. I was only late 30's!

Is your arthritis worse on one side of your joint? If so, am off/uni loader brace might help. It has straps which subtly pull the patella and knee over to the less affected side and open the joint on the worse side. It was a gamechanger for me. Mine were supplied in the physio department of my hospital, after seeing the orthopaedic surgeon.

My 1st brace was a thusane one (the blue one in the pic). It was discreet and I could wear it under trousers. I did find that the elastic loosened within 6mths, plus I managed to lose weight by being more mobile. My next brace was like the other pic which I wore over trousers. Eventually I had physio and after a year weaned myself of needing any brace.

I know arthritis doesn't improve, so I have no idea how I manage now, but I'm 10yrs down the line from diagnosis. I'm sure I will need a replacement in time, but I'm doing well now. No brace, no analgesia and can walk.

Have you had an occupational health review with work? Are there lighter duties, managerial/office work etc you could move to rather than being on your feet so much?

I was diagnosed with a x-ray I use leg braces but only off Amazon nothing on that level, but they look like they’d do the job . I had a review at work but when you’re on a busy ward short staffed you have to do things that aren’t so good for your body.
I'm hoping when I get my occupational health appointment lots of things with be reassessed.
that’s great that you’re doing so well. I’ve lost weight doing slimming world but still 2 stones to go!
I did think about taking wegovy as I was reading up that it can help with osteoarthritis? I’m still unsure though . There is a lot I still need to deal with , an d I feel I haven’t been properly looked after and correct procedures followed. Today I felt like I’ve turned a corner even by being referred to the orthopedic team

Wanted to say I'm glad for you...but it's so awful if it's the first time you've got help in 4 years!!! And you're a nurse as well-I'm not saying that means you should get better treatment, but you'll know more than a lot of people do.
Physio helps some people a lot-once you've had your scans, maybe try some sessions?

You must get this checked once as this could be resolved with some treatment or therapy if possible. It is better to switch your job because nursing requires a lot of movement and if your knees hurt, then it would be difficult for you to perform this.

Oh OP I’m so pleased you found a sympathetic GP. Your knees sound horrendous you poor thing.

I do think it’s worth seeing a physio and really Engaging with the exercises they give you. Building strength around the knee joint can really help.

I was struggling to get up and down stairs a few years ago. Pain was horrendous. I am now almost entirely pain free. It takes a lot of work and patience but it can really help.

good luck op in your knee journey.

I really don’t know what I’d do for another job ? I’ve been a nurse for 21 years but working in healthcare since I was 16 . I’m awaiting physio more likely will be with occupational health as the dr put me on the normal waiting list as well but she said that could take 18 months!

What type of nursing do you do? There are 100's of options and transferrable skills which don't mean nursing on your feet for 12hrs a day, but maintaining your registration.

I’m not a nurse but I do/did have oa in both knees and was very overweight.
I used WLI to drop 7 stone which helped but only if I walked on flat even surfaces. Stairs, hills and bending were all no go for me.

There was no physio option and I tried steroid injections so had to move to knee replacement surgery at 57.

I have OA. It developed quite rapidly in my right knee. I was referred to physio first, but it didn't help much. 18 months later new X-rays showed I was bone on bone and I was put on the list for a replacement. I ended up having a partial replacement. It's been fabulous. No pain in that knee at all now, but I can't kneel on it. I'm more aware now that I have OA in my left big toe joint. I have to be careful with footwear. Heels and thin soles are out of the question.

I have Patellofemoral Oestoarthritis and you do have my sympathy.

A couple of things that helped me was having physio through the local Uni. They train physios and run a clinic which is much cheaper than paying privately

The other thing that helps is looking after my gut health. If I’ve ever been ill and my gut health is out of kilter, then my pain will be much worse.

Hi it’s care or the elderly so you ca. imagine I’m on my feet a lo and have to bend down a lot as well, which is the main problem for me.
i am considering wegovy as I’ve heard it can help with oa knee pain and being roughly 3 tone overweight doesn’t help( I’m currently doing slimming world and have lost 11lbs in 6 weeks )

11lb in 3 weeks is amazing and sustainable. I’d definitely keep on with that as it seems to be working so well for you.

The SW plan should also help with your gut health