Knee question

woodbine
woodbine Member Posts: 140
Hi,

I have nodal osteoarthritis, so am used to lumps on my fingers. However, I have now noticed a similar hard,bony lump on the front of my knee, just below the kneecap. I've looked through some of your information pages, but they only seem to mention nodes on the fingers. Do you know if they occur on the knee as well, please? Although you can't hear creaking when I move my knee, I can feel clicks if I put my fingers on it while moving it, so I suspect that it the arthritis may be in the knee as well as fingers (and spine). The bump is not painful most of the time, unless I press or kneel on it, though my knee gets very stiff if I stand or walk for a long time.

(I will go to se my GP - when I can get an appointment - but he doesn't seem to know a huge amount about nodal arthritis unfortunately.)

Thanks
Naomi
PS Do you know when the new Wrexham support group will be having its next mtg please - I went to the first one, but had to leave early to get my son from school, so I didn't hear when the next one would be. Thanks

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Naomi

    I am a member on the site, but read your thread and perhaps you have housemaids knee - pre-patellar bursitis. Just a thought. You could always google it to see what you think.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello there,

    This is the kind of situation where we can't really encourage suggested diagnoses. It sets a difficult precident. This needs to be done by a health professional on examination.

    If a joint is not really painful then a GP may not want to go all the way and suggest x-ray but may be able to see the problem.

    The alternative is to get a physiotherapist to advise sensible self-management and help you to know at what stage to ask for more help.

    all the best
    Guy
  • woodbine
    woodbine Member Posts: 140
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Elnafin, and the Helpline Team.

    I eventually got to see a Gp a few days ago - it was a Locum, who seemed to know more about OA that my usual GP, and was very helpful. :D

    He confirmed that the lump is caused by the nodal OA, and prescribed Arthrotec, which I've unfortunately had to stop taking due to the side effects (I've got a mouthful of ulcers, and was feeling very unwell generally after taking them.)

    At least I know that the lump isn't anything 'serious' now! The locum also told me more about what to expect in the future than the usual GP had, so I'm glad I went, despite the problems with the medication. :)

    Thanks again,

    Naomi
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Naomi,

    I wonder whether you've downloaded our information on self-mangagement and osteoarthritis yet?
    http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets

    If you would prefer us to send you a pack of information, just e-mail helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk with your full name and postal address.

    There's lots that is worth exploring, especially physiotherapy, weightloss (if necessary) rub on anti-inflammatory gel or capsaicin, gluscosamine sulphate (check with GP before taking supplements) and our courses.
    http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/InyourArea

    Hope that helps
    Guy
  • woodbine
    woodbine Member Posts: 140
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Naomi,

    I wonder whether you've downloaded our information on self-mangagement and osteoarthritis yet?
    http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets

    If you would prefer us to send you a pack of information, just e-mail helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk with your full name and postal address.

    There's lots that is worth exploring, especially physiotherapy, weightloss (if necessary) rub on anti-inflammatory gel or capsaicin, gluscosamine sulphate (check with GP before taking supplements) and our courses.
    http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/InyourArea

    Hope that helps
    Guy

    Hi Guy
    - thanks for the advice, I've just downloaded the booklet and will read it thoroughly! I've also had a very helpful info pack by post from your team before. if you have any specific info on hereditary or nodal OA that affects multiple joints, that would be very welcome though.

    I have lost a few pounds recently, and am now in the lower half of the BMI 'recommended weight zone', so I hope that weight's not an issue. I asked my GP about the capsaicin gel, but he didn't seem to know much about it. Do you know if you can get it without a prescription?

    Thanks again for all your advice. :)

    Naomi

    PS Do you know when the next meeting of the new support group in the Wrexham area will be taking place, please?
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Naomi,

    Capsaicin is prescription only - GP just writes the words capsaicin cream - they can look it up (it's recommended bt NICE http://www.nice.org.uk/CG059 )

    For the branch details you ring North England Region Tel. 01924882150 (only they know the answers for their branches)

    Nodal arthritis does not have any separate information - for more detail you'd have to ask an orthopaedic specialist, but it has a reputation for being less aggressive than regular OA I think. (But I'm no doctor.)

    hope that's helpful
    Guy