Do you have osteoarthritis in your knee?

[WildUnknown]

If so what do you think helps beyond painkillers

Any tips or tricks?

Any good supplements or exercises?

my knee is playing up today and I’m grateful for any ideas

Thanks

Yes. Walking helps more than anything for me. If I don’t walk everyday it’s more painful the following few days. Even a short walk should help. I do a short workout too but I avoid things that hurt my knee. You should aim to do exercises that strengthen around the knee. YouTube will help.

I do and I feel so isolated. The physio said that ‘motion is lotion’ but it’s so bloody painful.
I can no longer walk to my local park, or along the nearest seafront.
Maybe I just need to push through the pain more though?

I ice mine when it’s at its worst. I can’t even stand the weight of the duvet on it, it’s a very bloody painful condition. If it gets worse I’ll look at having cortisone injections in it, they worked for my frozen shoulder I had years ago 🤗

DH, had osteoarthritis (amongst other issues). Couldn't walk more than 2km in a whole day without a lot of pain and swelling. Used to ice it and take a lot of ibuprofen.

We had a full knee replacement at the end of September, and he's just returning from the Alps skiing. He's able to run again, and go for long walks with no issue. It's given him his normal life back.

Yes. I had a bilateral knee replacement when I was 51. Still have it in the other kne though, although not as severe.
Hot bath, volterol and strapping it up helped when it was really bad.

Yoga helps as does walking. Pilates also good. Knee strengthening exercises
I'll need a knee replacement in a few years 🙁

Your DH has done very well and I’m pleased for him. I had a partial KR 10 weeks ago and I’m still struggling. I have no trouble bending knee but can’t put much weight on it when bent ie doing a step up so still going up and downstairs one step at a time.

I have it in both knees and usually just put up with the twinges. I had a flare up in one knee recently - couldn't put weight on it without a lot of pain. I had a cortisone injection about 10 days ago and am gradually feeling the benefit now. I dont want a knee replacement as I live alone and would not be able to manage post op so I am probably looking at having these injections a couple of times a year. Im also using one of those gel packs from Amazon that you can either heat up or freeze.gentle exercise and a knee support until it heals.

Yes, in both knees.
It seems to flare up every few months or so, but I struggle with stairs and walking long distances.
I think it's in my hips too, although not as bad.

I find that the pain is words for the first few steps after Ive been sitting or resting because the joint locks. Its all very well saying keep the weight ff it but when you live alone with no domestic help there is no alternative but to go around yourself. And those b**y stairs!

Thanks for the replies! I have other conditions which mean my mobility is poor and so I can’t really walk more than I already do. My knee just went from under me last night and gave me a scare. I’m early 40s so a replacement isn’t in my immediate future. I have a splint that I was measured for but it’s still rubbish, I’ve exhausted the physiotherapy options in the local trust and paying private isn’t really an option

BioFreeze roll on is absolutely amazing. It’s miles better than the deep freeze etc stuff. It literally numbs the area temporarily. Cannot recommend it enough (and I don’t work for them!) Think they do a spray but the roll on is the best.

@BrainInterestingButFuckedUp Really! That’s interesting never heard of it before

It’s so good @WildUnknown ! They do a gel you can put on yourself but it’s very strong smelling (and youd have to get up to wash your hands!) so the roll on is fantastic. My right knee pain is so bad it can keep me awake despite all the painkillers, but if I use biofreeze it numbs it enough for me to go back to sleep (or actually use the leg if it’s daytime). It’s honestly like liquid ice or something. Usually about £10 on Amazon. There was a shortage a while ago and I paid £30 on eBay as it’s that’s good (and I dont have money to spare!)

I do. My GP gave me a steroid injection. It helped immensely

I had a steroid injection, which made the knee less stiff, but the effect wore off quickly. Be aware that if you are on the waiting list for a knee replacement, a steroid injection will delay it by 6 months, due to the risk of infection.
I found this out at a meeting with my consultant. He said GPs often aren’t aware of that fact.

Yes the steroid injections can help but they dont work for everyone.And they are not a permanent solution although some lucky people find the pain never comes back. Ive had them a couple of times in the past and they worked quickly. I began to feel relief withih 48 hours but this time the flare up was much worse and its taking longer. Doctors dont like to give them more than twice a year as they gradually become less effective if given too often. I had to sign a consent form this time as they can cause a reaction or infection.

I find walking exacerbates it and it’s worse the day after. Perhaps because it’s bone rubbing on bone.
Will try the bio freeze roll on - sounds good.

I had steroid injection and it did nothing. I'm being referred to surgeons but its such a wait list. Heard nothing yet. I go to the gym but it seems to make the pain worse.feeling glum with my knee.

When you say I’ve exhausted the physiotherapy options in the local trust what do you mean by that?

I self referred to physio, and they assessed, and then gave me exercises. But ultimately, it is down to me to do the exercises. On the back of their advice, I joined a gym, and doing the exercises has really improved the mobility and functionality of the knee(s).
My knee used to collapse from underneath me when I got up from sitting or lying down. I never used to be able to get up from the floor easily. I couldn't crouch. I couldn't kneel. After 4 - 6 moths of regular exercise I noticed SUCH a difference and it continued to improve in the year following that.

I have spoken to others who have also benefitted from exercising. It really is a case of 'move it or lose it' with joints and arthritis. I think yoga and pilates can help too, but the physios obviously target your condition specifically.

@JustGiveMeReason I mean that I had an appointment with the community physiotherapist for my knee and had high hopes but she just discharged me after one appointment

I was with the Rehab team previously and they did some interventions including the splint but I’ve now been discharged from there also but my knee is worse now if anything

I’ve been told a couple of times by HCP that “everyone has clicky knees” my knee and it’s behaviour is very far away from being “just” a clicky knee, it audibly groans

Yes, I do. Sorry this is long, but if I can help just 1 person, I'll be pleased.

Diagnosed when I was also only 40. I'm an ex dancer and athlete, used to walk a great deal and had a job mainly on my feet. Dr thought part wear and tear and part genetics. At one point I was in agony. I couldn't even lie in bed, absolutely still, without pain. I've never been depressed nor had dark thoughts, but I'd be crying in pain all the time, not sleeping and honestly thought having it amputation would be a better option. I was not offered a steroid injection and told I should hold off having a replacement because I was still young. I tried turmeric, gel rubs, heat pads, ice pads and all sorts.

The consultant said I shouldn't be in that much pain as the osteo was mild apparently. I'd read up about stem cell transplant, but he said the NHS don't have enough evidence to find it effective, but if I went to Harley St, someone there would take my money! As I was walking out the room, I showed him the boots knee brace I'd bought. It was purely in passing he mentioned a uni loader brace- which changed my life!

My arthritis is worse on the inner aspect of my knee. The uniloader uses straps to move your weight to the better side of the knee and opens up the grinding/painful side. I had 2 types over about 2 yrs, both provided on the NHS:

-Thusane brand. Soft, stretchy fabric with straps. It fitted under loose trousers so was discreet. I did find the elastic started to stretch and loose shape after about 6mths so was given another, but it soon did the same.
-Harder, exo skeleton type. A metal type brace. It did the same thing but due to the size, I had to wear it over trousers. The metal work also rubbed certain parts of my leg so I needed to use little foam pads to prevent that.

Being able to walk again was a game changer. I lost weight, could do physio, and work more hours. With physio and time I was able to ween myself off the brace altogether. That was 5yrs ago. I do the odd stretching now but not all the time. If I do a long walk, I feel it the next day, but don't have any of the pain I previously had and don't feel the need for a replacement anytime soon. I still can't squat or kneel easily though. I have no idea if it was psychosomatic, I did actually strengthen my muscles to support the knee or something else was going on? Happy to answer any questions you have x

Thanks for the advice. Did you have a knee replacement eventually? Sorry just read it properly! I wonder why these braces aren’t recommended by the GP or consultant. Even if unavailable from the NHS, some would be willing to buy them for some respite from the pain.

Very interesting @7238SM I will have a look at the brace you mention