Excercise???

malcolm1

I have terrible pain in my left knee, had xrays and seen doctors and been diagnosed as having arthritis. It takes me a while in the mornings to get moving and the pain comes and goes throughout the day. The only way i can control the pain is by taking co-codamol (prescribed by doc) and my wife makes me take joint care vitamins. I am worried that i may be taking too many of the co-codamol per day but its the only thing that helps. I have tried using titanium knee braces, tens machine and the usual tiger balms, deep heat etc but all with very little effect. I am retired and like to keep myself fit. I excersice as much as i can but am now concerned that maybe im doing the wrong thing by excercising. Am i making matters worse? Should I be resting my knee as much as possible? Is rest or excercise the best thing for arthritis in the knees? :? Malcolm

elnafinn

Hi Malcolm!

Welcome to the forum. From one oldie to another "use it or lose it" is my motto. I have had a total knee replacement in December 08 but the other one is well on the way out. I do stretching exercises daily and have done so for years, which I am sure keeps me mobile and exercise bike 10 minutes daily and have recently started (hula) hooping 15 minutes daily too. I ride my bike locally, most days albeit not too far. I do not drive so unless in the car with hubby, I walk or use the bicycle or public transport.

What type of exercise do you do or would like to do? Non weight bearing exercising is better for knee problems than weight bearing, but I expect you are aware of that.

Hope to see you posting more around the site. We all try to help each other and if we cannot we never stint on sympathy. We are all in the boat here to a greater or lesser degree so understand, whereas those that do not suffer with any form of arthritis, usually do not.

None of us like taking meds but we often have no choice, when in pain. I was taking the maximum before my TKR but now only take two anti inflammatories because I do not find that co-codamol helps me and only makes me constipated. The painkiller that I had no side effect from and worked for me, was withdrawn, not because it was harmful other than you could overdose on it and a few people had, either deliberately or not. I do wonder why paracetamol is not withdrawn in that case, because you can overdose on them to, but there you go, we live in a mad world!!

Best wishes,
Elna x

heather1

Hi Malcolm

Sorry to hear you are in pain.

I have arthritis in both knees but it seems to only effect me when i bend them like sitting down to standing up and going up or down stairs.
Actual walking doesn't seem to bother them.

I am on loads of meds which are for my back problems but i carn't say it helps the knees.

Maybe an anti-inflammatory from the doc would help.

I have always been told that exercise is good for athritis ohterwise you stiffen up even more.
As for how much i guess thats down to you.

Sorry i carn't be of more help but i hope you get some relief soon.

Best wishes

valval

hi listen to your body it will let u know what exercise u can get away with little and often works. some good exercise on this sight glad to have u with us take care

josiec

Hello Malcolm,
Welcome - as others have said, gentle exercise is generally considered beneficial, although things like swimming and cycling may be better than marathon running as cause less impact to the joint. Also worth mentioning that if you look on the publications area of this site you will find some useful booklets about exercise.
Regards, Josie

malcolm1

Thanks for the speedy reply Elna. I like to play golf and general walking. I went to golf yesterday and by the time i got home my knee was very inflamed and is only starting to go down tonight. I wonder am i doing more harm than good. Did you encounter any problems with the knee replacement? would you recommend getting one if that is something that ever gets offered to me by the doctor?

Malcolm

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Malcolm!

Welcome to the forum. From one oldie to another "use it or lose it" is my motto. I have had a total knee replacement in December 08 but the other one is well on the way out. I do stretching exercises daily and have done so for years, which I am sure keeps me mobile and exercise bike 10 minutes daily and have recently started (hula) hooping 15 minutes daily too. I ride my bike locally, most days albeit not too far. I do not drive so unless in the car with hubby, I walk or use the bicycle or public transport.

What type of exercise do you do or would like to do? Non weight bearing exercising is better for knee problems than weight bearing, but I expect you are aware of that.

Hope to see you posting more around the site. We all try to help each other and if we cannot we never stint on sympathy. We are all in the boat here to a greater or lesser degree so understand, whereas those that do not suffer with any form of arthritis, usually do not.

Best wishes,
Elna x

elnafinn

Hi Malcolom,

TKR has been great and I am thinking of going down the same road with the other knee. I thought about it for a long time and the consultant kept saying, wait until the pain is unbearable, because they do not last forever, probably about 15 years and if you need another one, it is not always as good a result as the first op.

How long does one wait, how long can one put up with the pain and not being able to do what one wishes to do....... now? In the end, I decided that enough was enough and have not regretted my decision, for one moment.

Perhaps you are out playing golf/go walking for too long a time? The problem is, on a good day we often do too much and then pay for it big time, for a while. We have to try and pace ourselves, which is very difficult at times. Don't we all know that on here. :roll: :roll:

Did you elevate the leg and apply an ice pack when you returned from golf? This soothes an inflamed/swollen knee, partly because for a time after, it is numb

Look after yourself,

Elna x

lindalegs

Hi Malcom and welcome to posting.

I would like to add to the sound advice you've already had that swimming or exercising in a pool is excellent exercise...although you could check with your GP first if you're not sure it's right for you.

Luv Legs

woodbon

Hello, Welcome to the site Everyone has given you good advice. So all I can say is I'm glad that you've come to this site, as its a nice friendly place to get informaiton from. Also the Helpline telephone number at the top of the screen is very good. I think they have a booklet on exercise, it may be worth ringing and asking them. Take care, no running marathons! :shock:
Love Sue

malcolm1

[Thanks for the information and I will try the ice pack next time get the inflammation :P

Malcolm











quote="elnafinn"]Hi Malcolom,

TKR has been great and I am thinking of going down the same road with the other knee. I thought about it for a long time and the consultant kept saying, wait until the pain is unbearable, because they do not last forever, probably about 15 years and if you need another one, it is not always as good a result as the first op.

How long does one wait, how long can one put up with the pain and not being able to do what one wishes to do....... now? In the end, I decided that enough was enough and have not regretted my decision, for one moment.

Perhaps you are out playing golf/go walking for too long a time? The problem is, on a good day we often do too much and then pay for it big time, for a while. We have to try and pace ourselves, which is very difficult at times. Don't we all know that on here. :roll: :roll:

Did you elevate the leg and apply an ice pack when you returned from golf? This soothes an inflamed/swollen knee, partly because for a time after, it is numb

Look after yourself,

Elna x[/quote]

malcolm1

Thanks Sue....will try them

Malcolm

woodbon wrote:

Hello, Welcome to the site Everyone has given you good advice. So all I can say is I'm glad that you've come to this site, as its a nice friendly place to get informaiton from. Also the Helpline telephone number at the top of the screen is very good. I think they have a booklet on exercise, it may be worth ringing and asking them. Take care, no running marathons! :shock:
Love Sue

magenta

Hi Malcolm,
Welcome to the site
You can take 8 co-codomol in every 24hrs! Maximum 2 every 4 to 6 hourly. If you're on 8 a day and the pain isn't subsiding, maybe tell your GP who can prescribe another pain killer? Hope you feel better soon,
Magenta x

jackie1955

Hi Malcolm,

I too was concerned whether exercise would be sensible or not, only last week I attended a meeting where the guest speaker gave an interesting and informative talk on exercise.

Basically, she said there is no bad exercise. But you must listen to your own body, and not do too much. Apparently we can get into what is called a 'Boom and Bust' syndrome, which means we push ourselves too far (Boom) and then we pay the price by feeling kn*ckered, with painful and inflamed joints (Bust)

So, the key is, gentle exercise. If golf is your thing, why not just play a few holes :?: Enough to give you a mental lift as well as enjoying the fresh air, exercise and the game!

Jackie

malcolm1

Hi Magenta

The tablets pakage states upmto 8 per day but I have read somewhere they can be addoictive so I only take them when the pain is high

Malcolm

magenta wrote:

Hi Malcolm,
Welcome to the site
You can take 8 co-codomol in every 24hrs! Maximum 2 every 4 to 6 hourly. If you're on 8 a day and the pain isn't subsiding, maybe tell your GP who can prescribe another pain killer? Hope you feel better soon,
Magenta x

malcolm1

Hi Jackie

Thanks for the info....seems sensible idea on reducing the golf but you know how you think you can still beat it...
will try and see what happens

Malcolm :P




quote="jackie1955"]Hi Malcolm,

I too was concerned whether exercise would be sensible or not, only last week I attended a meeting where the guest speaker gave an interesting and informative talk on exercise.

Basically, she said there is no bad exercise. But you must listen to your own body, and not do too much. Apparently we can get into what is called a 'Boom and Bust' syndrome, which means we push ourselves too far (Boom) and then we pay the price by feeling kn*ckered, with painful and inflamed joints (Bust)

So, the key is, gentle exercise. If golf is your thing, why not just play a few holes :?: Enough to give you a mental lift as well as enjoying the fresh air, exercise and the game!

Jackie[/quote]

markc1

Hi Malcolm i'm in a similar position to you with oa in my knees...i bought 2 ice blocks from pound shop i keep frozen all the time.

They offer a relief to your knees and reduce the swelling you may be playing too much golf..i couldn't walk round a course! you are also putting pressure on your knees by twisting on them whilst swinging your club.Ask doc for some diclofenic...they help a bit.

Take care.

lindalegs

markc1 wrote:

Hi Malcolm i'm in a similar position to you with oa in my knees...i bought 2 ice blocks from pound shop i keep frozen all the time.

They offer a relief to your knees and reduce the swelling you may be playing too much golf..i couldn't walk round a course! you are also putting pressure on your knees by twisting on them whilst swinging your club.Ask doc for some diclofenic...they help a bit.

Take care.

Hi Mark and Malcom,

A bag of frozen peas are very good as they mould themselves to the shape of your joint - always put a damp cloth between the ice and the skin and mark the peas to make sure you don't eat them when you refreeze.

Luv Legs

dachshund

Hi Malcolm
Welcome to the site the people are very friendly and helpfull.
i have had my tkr 5 years now and it was the best thing i could do.
i had pain all the time then one day my leg would not take any weight and thats when the doc said i should have the opp.
i go to the gym but i cannot do alot as i have arthritis in my hip and back.
joan xx

magenta

Hi Malcolm,
Hope you're feeling better? I used to be like you with my painkillers. I would only take them when I was really bad but I was told off by my workmates (pharmacists). You need to keep taking them regularly so your pain becomes 'managed' if that makes sense?
Magenta

jackie1955

magenta wrote:

Hi Malcolm,
Hope you're feeling better? I used to be like you with my painkillers. I would only take them when I was really bad but I was told off by my workmates (pharmacists). You need to keep taking them regularly so your pain becomes 'managed' if that makes sense?
Magenta

I've been on max dose diclofenac for coming up 2 years. Occasionally I try to go without, I don't want to take them if the pain is bearable! Recently I managed without for 2 whole days - but took them on the 3rd day as I felt the pain justified taking them! Saw my rheumy the other day and told him, he said I would have to take painkillers forever, and even if I leave them off for a day or two I must make sure I've always got some in the cupboard!

Jackie x