Osteoarthritis diagnosis. Help!

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I've just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. I'm 45 and have had joint problems for years (creaky knees and ankles) but ignored it.

The conversation with the GP was quite a quick call. She's referring me for physio and advised me to use ibuprofen if I'm in pain.
I've done a bit of reading online so I've got the basic info. I just need a bit of reassurance and any tips from anyone else with OA. I'm worried about the degenerative/progressive aspect. Am I going to lose mobility and end up in a lot of pain/needing knees replaced?
Anyone else with OA? Has it worsened over time? Do you have any tips or advice?
Thanks

I have it, got diagnosed in quite "quick" way just before first lockdown. Doc was like "yeah of course you have to stop running" 😲. symptoms were bony lumps on fingers which was a sign of quite advanced OA i was told. it was a shock but I've decided to look after myself and not worry too much.

...and that's it, no physio offered, just a blood test. I haven't noticed much deterioration, bytunfortunately I do get aches in my dominant hand which cd be OA. also if I walk for about 2 or 3 hours I notice pain ony knees which I think may ne OA.

I do 15 mins of yoga a day, I guess it can't hurt...i watch my weight and take HRT. i did stop running sadly....
Good luck!

Thanks @NotMyDust . I run too and the GP said I could carry on as long as I don't overdo it and make sure I stop if I'm in pain. I'm wondering if that's right. I should probably find another lower impact exercise but running is the only exercise I've been able to stick to. If you like running it might be worth getting a second opinion. I'm on a running forum on Facebook and there are lots of women with OA on there.
Regular yoga is a good idea. I don't really like yoga but I should try to get into the habit of doing regular pilates videos at home.
I'm on HRT too. I hadn't realised until now that OA might be linked to declining estrogen.

Hi
I’ve started to have strange feelings in my right knee ( think it might be going into left knee )
At the moment it feels achy poised to pain .
plus an odd feeling as though my knee is grazed

my shin feels sore and get cramp in my toes sometimes .

I can walk fine and put my knee in any position .

wondering if it’s Osteoarthritis , can anyone relate to this ?

my friend has had bad pain in her knee and leg but it ended up being a back issue .

I'm in my 30s and just been diagnosed. I feel too young for it.

I’m older but I have osteoarthritis in my hip. When it was more acute I alternated ibuprofen with prescription Meptazinol.

I’m not yet a candidate for hip replacement but after GP referral initially for x-rays and physio, the physio referred me for blood tests and to see an orthopaedic consultant. He booked an MRI, then suggested injecting the joint. That was done in November, under GA as day surgery, and so far I’m absolutely delighted, I’m off pain killers and I’m walking 4-5 miles a day again, even uphill! I’d definitely recommend it if offered.

I don’t know if it wears off or if it can be repeated if it does.

Has anyone tried those belts you can wear on your lower back (for OA in back causing sciatica)?

I’ve just been diagnosed- just turned 50 & I feel I’m too young! Bony lumps in my fingers and very creaky painful knees. Also worried about degeneration - I love walking and fear becoming unable to go for long hikes. Also no follow up after diagnosis. Thinking of pushing for physio and HRT - already post menopause but never taken it.
I also started taking 2 supplements that seem to have helped - Tumeric/ black pepper & Glucosamine Sulphate. Cold weather ache in the joints has definitely eased.

Serola belt I think they are called? I've used one before for back pain - helped me - was around £30 off amazon

I was diagnosed with OA in my hip when I was 27, I'm now 44 and have had no treatment. It has started to limit my movement fairly substantially but that's my weight I think rather than significant deterioration. Low impact exercise is much better. I cycle and swim but find walking painful now. There's some recent research that Iboprufen isn't helpful but I've been taking it regularly since diagnosis, I do keep meaning to look into that further however.

I have it in knees, fingers and wrists. I do Caroline Girvan and run twice a week, usually including hills for cardio health. Yes it hurts a bit, some days more than others. The choice is to be fit and strong and in pain, or fat and unfit and in pain. Having said that, strengthening my legs has has a very positive impact on my knee pain. My GP was amazed at the difference but I guess they don’t know much about the longer term benefits of functional fitness training. Maybe it should be part of all GP learning.

Im mid 50s, diagnosed early 40s. Took up functional fitness during lockdown.

Bless you.Like you I have had knee problems for years with four surgeries before I finally had a knee replacement at 50 which has been the best thing ever.The other knee is now starting to really deteriorate,I haven't bothered the GP but I suppose I will have to at some point soon.I have bony lumps on my fingers & my hands can really feel stiff,oh & the right shoulder is starting to go too.
I wasn't blessed with the best genes as OA runs through both sides of my family.
Paracetamol & ibuprofen do help & I occasionally take naproxen.Hot water bottles work well for me .
I try to keep my weight down & walk my dogs regularly.For me less activity means my joints stiffen up.

I have it in my wrists and weight lift! It helps to strengthen the muscles around the joints. I've had far fewer flare ups since I've been doing this. I'm 56.

YourWinter

What did they inject the knee with in day surgery?

I've had steroid or hyaluronic acid injections (not under GA) and they've stopped working for me now

Physio here. Stretching and strengthening the muscles around the affected joints will help in most cases. Fingers: flex into fist then extend as far as you can, really try to extend the fingers to the tips, repeat ten times, do it daily. Hips and knees stretching and strengthening including lifting weights or resisted movements. Look up "exercises for OA knees and hips"

Definitely improves joint and muscular pain from OA. Do it for 6 to 12 weeks at least three times a week.

@Calyx72 it is so heartening to see this advice. When I was first diagnosed the advice was to only do gentle exercise and take up swimming. Anyone with knee arthritis knows exactly how painful breaststroke is!

Great advice on the hand exercise too. I was going to come back and mention this as it helps stop the dreaded claw hand developing. Even with this I’ve noticed less flexibility in my thumb but I guess that gets the most use.

Another bit of advice I had was to stabilise the joints at night. I wear my wrist supports at night and this has reduced the number of times I need to wear them during the day.

Very helpful to have advise from physio
I think I might have the start I’d OA in my knee ( right but odd feeeling in left also I think )
I have no problems at the moment of movement .
my knees and kegs can move in any direction .

can OA stay mild if managed correctly from the beginning and can surgery be avoided ?i

"The choice is to be fit and strong and in pain, or fat and unfit and in pain." this makes sense to me @Worldgonecrazy . I saw the physio last week and she confirmed that I should carry on running but only if I'm pain free. She advised me to listen to my body, keep active, and keep my weight down.

@Calyx72 thank you for the advice. I didn't mention my stiff hands to the doctor but they are sometimes painful so I'm going to try those stretches.

I began with it in my hip. Not bad enough for a replacement so referred to a physio which helped quite a lot. But over the last two years it has developed in my spine & that’s far worse, really restricts what I can do. Has anyone else got this? My physiotherapist was replaced by another, older, who hasn’t really been as helpful, last visit took five minutes & never even asked me to take my coat off. It’s mostly painkillers & not pushing things, not carry heavy weights etc. it can make me quite unsteady & have had three bad tumbles because of that, once down stone steps & last summer falling on my face & breaking my nose. My DH nags me to use a stick to help with balance, but I rarely do…suppose I’m just refusing to accept I’m decrepit yet!
Cold & damp I find make things worse but heat, hot water bottle when sitting, helps. If I get down on the floor I’m stuck unless something to hold onto to pull myself up 😏

@Thank you calyx72 for your advise .
I have googled exercises recommended for strengthening knees and all ready I’m feeling a little benefit .I will continue each day and hopefully it will make an huge difference 🤞

it helps so much to hear from everyone with their issues as I feel I’m not alone and my symptoms are minor by comparison to many others

Really sad to see the NHS advice is as out of date as their dietary advice!

Ultra sound confirmed OA in my hands, wrists, fingers age 40. It has got worse, more painful and more knobbly.
Currently having physio after self referring.
Knees, ankles and hips also hurt but doesn’t seem much point going back to the dr.
DGM ended up unable to care for herself and in a wheelchair with bent fingers and sore knees in her 80’s. She also had both hips replaced in her 70’s.
DM suffers OA and her fingers started to deform in her late 60’s.
My fingers are already starting to twist & I’m late 40’s. I do mobility and flexibility exercises 3/4 times a week in an effort to keep my joints moving & supported. I also keep my weight low in an effort to keep damage & determination to a minimum.

After years of putting up with the pain of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis destroying my knees and reducing my mobility I had a knee replacement this week. I wish I’d known that physio exercises could have strengthened knee and improved my quality of life. My consultant won’t operate on anyone who has had steroid knee injections for 6 months. The wait here for NHS is 2 years. I wish I hadn’t put up with it and seen someone earlier!

Forgot to add .. I have an Aircast cryocuff and ice bucket from the hospital to ice my knee. It honestly helps so much with pain and swelling. It won’t cure you but might make coping easier. I’m not a physioand have no medical knowledge whatsoever!

I have severe arthritis in my left hip. Only really noticed when it was very advanced as I’m on maternity leave and thought it was dodgy pregnancy hip. Physio knew otherwise! I’m having a hip replacement next week. I’m 37 :-(