Require Suggestions for Arthritis Knee Pain

lisasmith

I am a banker. Due to my sedentary lifestyle, I have been diagnosed with moderate arthritis. For me doing even simplest of domestic chores are turning into feat and mountaineering task now. Sitting for long hours in office is also getting difficult day by day. I have seen people using some knee bandages or arthritic knee wrap. Would those work for me as well? I live in UK, when i google the "arthritis knee pain" i got this website http://www.arthritiskneepain.co.uk, they are offering products but can anybody let me know which one to choose?

frogmorton

Lisa

I think I wouldnt get any just yet.

You can go to your local chemist and get some knee bandages with a little heat pad inside? That is cheap and might work? Also using the anti-inflam gels might too - ibuprofen, movelat or volterol - all may be the one for you.

I dont trust sites like this one - but other people might have better advice.

Have you downloaded any of the arthritiscare leaflets - they cost nothing and are so worth a read before you aprt with too much cash

love

Toni xx

dorcas

Hi Lisa and welcome to the forum

I agree with Toni...... steer clear of these 'self-diagnosis' 'self-help' websites... which after all are commercial and out to sell you something!

If you haven't seen your doc in a long time and have the knees properly re- assessed then I think that's a good place to start. until you really know what's going on now you can't know what might be useful..... or indeed what may have a more limiting effect on joint movement.

As you have a sedentary workplace lifestyle maybe a referral to Physiotherapy might help... as they will give you exercises to do to preserve or improve the muscle tone around the knee.. which is so important in supporting your knee joints.
OT's too might have an important part to play in advising on what aids would be helpful for you.... or maybe you could ask for a referral to the Occupational Health Department in the Bank.... an institution like that is bound to have an OH service... even if it's outsourced and they will offer advice and keep in regular contact with you.

Meds too might help with pain relief or inflammation.

As Toni said there are helpful publications on this website too!

good luck and let us know how you get on.

Iris x

elnafinn

Hi Lisa

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear of your knee pain. I know where you are coming from as I suffered for years and finally had both knees replaced and it has been great.

If you have not been to see your gp, go and discuss pain control. Painkillers and anti inflammatory meds do help a great deal. At work, try to get up and walk about every so often. Have you been offered any physio, that can help sometimes. Having your feet raised under the desk can help too. I used to use boxes full of paper under the desk at work to rest my legs on. :roll: Tubigrips can help but it is best to ask the gp/pharmacy/physio about these.

I wish you well,

Luv
Elna x

airwave

Wheatbags is my answer to everything, OH makes them up to shape and size for me. Just keep using them for as long as you can, sometimes I use them all evening and change them round to other parts as the heat changes. Thicker corduroy material is good or double fleece type, it lets out a more restrained heat for longer.

8)Its a grin, honest!

skezier

Hi Lisa,

Welcome from me as well

over the years I have waisted a lot on this kind of stuff and its never helped or worked one bit so I an a total cynic now. Complimentary stuff is ok but this sort of stuff.... I wouldn't bother.

Fir me heat and elevation or take all the weight off helps. Nice to meet you and I hope it will soon ease for you. Cris x

elnafinn

Yep, a great idea, the wheatbags, I had forgotten about them. Very comforting. If you have a microwave at work, you can keep heating the bags up in there, whilst at work as well as using them at home. Only downside is they do not keep very warm for too long. At least that would remind you to get up from the desk to reheat it. Much better than a hot water bottle as you can mould the wheatbag around your knees.

Luv
Elna x

dreamdaisy

What form of arthritis do you have? If it is OA, pain dullers are useful, and supporting the joint with a neoprene wrap may be helpful: do not rely on the wrap all the time tho, your muscles can become lazy and not support the joint as they should. If it is a form of RA or other inflammatory arthritis then pain dullers and some other meds may be necessary. Try to move around at least once every twenty minutes or so, so that your joints don't get stuck in one position. Avoid any products that claim to 'cure' arthritis. They are telling porkies. I wish you well. DD

sharmaine

Hi Lisa
Sitting in the correct chair is really important for those of us with knee arthritis. I have had a total knee replacement surgery and the other knee will be replaced early in the new year. If I had known how to sit etc say years ago when I first started with arthritis I would made changes sooner!!!

You need a chair that allows you to raise up comfortably without jarring your back or pulling at your joints. It is important it is the right height. We rented a cottage this holiday and it was agony getting off the bed and the living room furniture! Over the years we've adapted the house to make the simple task of sitting and getting up less of a strain. We raised our settee and chairs in the living room (I bought 4"legs online) and it has made a huge difference.

At work you should sit in a chair that has arms on because these will help you to raise yourself without discomfort.
This will stop some of the stiffness and discomfort whilst sitting. It won't eradicate and you'll have to walk around a bit until your joints loosen up.

As your knee deteriorates you may find you need more aids at home. A perching stool is a godsend when ironing/preparing meals etc. The OT also put handrails so that I can get upstairs without putting more pressure on my joints. I've bought quite a few things to make life easier. I think sleeping comfortably is really important and having a memory foam mattress topper has been a great buy. You may want to try a feather and down duvet.

I'm saying all this but you may be one of the lucky ones and not have too much pain, discomfort or stiffness! I've just found these things have helped me enormously.

Shoes: make sure these are comfortable and have a deep sole this helps to stop the deteriorating knee joint from jarring or locking.
As my knees got worse I found walking on extremely flat surfaces excruciatingly difficult - wearing the right shoes will help. No more stillettos for me! Some suggestions: MBTs; sketchers; flyflots - lots of choice out there so shop around. I have shoes that I'll never be able to wear again - I keep looking at my favourite pair of boots and I know I'll have to sell them - I only wore them twice! In the summer - no more flip flops!

Housework: set yourself little tasks to do each day; shop online; give jobs to your partner.
Work: regrettably I had to resign from my job because of my arthritic knees etc, but by then I was pretty bad. The combination of working full time; commuting and looking after the home was just too much. OH has to do a lot more that he used too!!!

The things that didn't work for me: copper bracelets; magnetic mattress toppers (waste of money); manuka honey gel (expenisve and useless); so called arthritic cures on the internet all rubbish!

I would also suggest you rest when your knee starts playing up. Arthritis sufferers tire easily so listen to your body and rest up. Elevate your legs and if you have a lot of pain use a heat pad or wheat bag. I keep a tube of deep heat nearby for when I have a flare up! Later on you may need better pain relief and will need to see your GP.

I hope I haven't gone on too long or scared you half to death!!

Take care.
Sharmaine

dorcas

Sharmaine,

I just wanted to say how helpful I found your post!

I've just recently been told I need a TKR and the other knee is fast following. It has been a sudden deterioration after years of unpredictable flares and slow joint erosion followed by spells where the knees seemed ok....
I've been at a bit of a loss since being given the diagnosis a week or so ago on how to manage and what to do at home that might help.

you have helped me hugely with your thoughtful post... thanks!


Iris xxxx

hileena111

Hi Welcome from me as well....I've got hip problems...not knee but I agree. We are always looking for that miracle cure.....I dont think it matters if we try something and it doesnt work if its not expenseive.....its these expensive items that no way should you fork out money for.
Your OT will be a big help....loads of things she can offer you.
I've got a memory foam mattress topper for the caravan but at home I used a large duck and feather duvet doubled and found it good. Then I suddenly remembered a mattress that the OT had given me a long time ago....long before my hip replacement and i fished that out and its great.
So Doc first, referral to rheumy or ortho and then ask about physio and the OT.....you've probably done a lot of this but thats about all I can say....Oh yes....have you got a local Arthritis Care Branch in your area....i find mine great and the courses they do are good as well.
Go to the front page of this site and you'll find all that

Love
Hileena

sharmaine

Hi Iris

Thank you! I wish I had come across Arthritis Care ten years ago!

It is a bit of a shock to hear that you need a TKR and your deterioration sounds pretty much the same as mine. Have you seen your GP lately and are you happy with your medication? I was on co-dydramol for years but right up to the op it wasn't dealing with the pain. Tramadol has been my life saver and it meant I could cope with the physio after the operation and...it means I can cope with this other knee until the op comes around.

You may find elbow crutches easier the worse you knee gets. Some folks don't need them but I did. They had left my TKR too long so my leg was really bowed inwards.

Make sure you rest lots Iris because the pain of OA can be agonising. Keeping your thigh muscles strong prior to a TKR is important too. I bought a mini cycle and used that for 15-20 minutes every day - I could only use it lying down and you don't have to go fast. They sell them at A.gos (v-fit cycle). I'm glad I did exercise even though getting myself on the floor to do it required the assistance of my OH! I'm sure this helped with my recovery.

Take care and I'm pleased I was able to help you.

With regards
Sharmaine

dorcas wrote:

Sharmaine,

I just wanted to say how helpful I found your post!

I've just recently been told I need a TKR and the other knee is fast following. It has been a sudden deterioration after years of unpredictable flares and slow joint erosion followed by spells where the knees seemed ok....
I've been at a bit of a loss since being given the diagnosis a week or so ago on how to manage and what to do at home that might help.

you have helped me hugely with your thoughtful post... thanks!


Iris xxxx