Arthritis in knees - what now?

[Sleepeazie]

Hi, I’ve just been told - at a physio appt, that I have the beginnings of arthritis in both knees. One worse than the other.

My G.P hasn’t had the X-ray results yet, so I’ve been given no general advice - just the physio’s perspective.

so I’m just wondering, what to expect from G.P or what I need to do?

I’m a 43 year old female, who has felt peri menopausal for 3/4 years, but nothing is showing on the bloods. Can I/should I push for HRT or something with oestrogen in?

any other lifestyle changes, Supplements Super foods that anybody would recommend from experience?.. or any other general tips for management?

it’s already interfering with my work. Is there a point where I could claim PIP to supplement reduced hours (I’m self employed)

just basically after a newbie’s guide to a chronic pain condition..

thanks x

My experience with painful arthritis in several joints is
GP :‘here is a prescription for naproxen and Zapain’.
Thats it.
As for pip,I wish you luck. There are days I can’t even open a packet of crisps or operate a door handle because I’m in so much pain, but apparently I don’t need any help. Yes I know I sound bitter, I’m 8 years on from diagnosis and there is a frightening old age ahead of me. I’m already less able to do things than my DGM was at 86 and I’m only 50!

The best things you can do for arthritis though (if you need to) is to lose weight and also to exercise to strengthen the muscles around the joints so they are more supported.
Theres some info from versusarthritis about knees here.

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/

Exercise! I learnt that too late.

Get to the pool a couple of times a week, do circuit training, do every single thing you can to strengthen your leg muscles. The more strength your muscles have, the less work your skeleton has to do, and it can make a HUGE difference you your pain levels.

I wish I'd had this advice 15 years ago as my mobility is severly reduced, but I still find keeping my leg muscles stronger helps with the chronic pain.

Weight loss also helps, but that's much harder to maintain.

PIP is near impossible in my experience, and they don't do knee replacements until you're over 60 (in my area at least) so to avoid pain as long as possible, get exercising (build it up slowly).

Good luck, OP!

Thank you both. That’s useful, although a bit depressing that PIP is that inaccessible, if and when needed.

I heed both of your warnings about exercising and I am going to focus on strengthening my muscles. I’m also going to look at starting anti inflammatory diet.

I will check out the link posted too, when I get home.

Thanks 😊

Exercise makes a massive difference. It is slow, so many people think it does not help. My husband was nearly crippled 5 years ago. He is on a cocktail of drugs and has not lost weight, which he sorely needs to do. Exercise alone has still helped a lot. Your best bet, if you can, is to have an appointment with a physio so they can tell you the best exercises to concentrate on.