Advice please just have x-ray results

Ann4

My x-ray results show arthritis in both knees what I would like to know.
1 How can I help myself what exercises can I do
2 Can I stop this getting any worse ?
3 What can I take for this pain I cannot take any Asprin
4 Not sure how far I can walk seems to me not very far, I'm I making things worse by pushing myself even if in pain.
5 any other advice please.

Ann4

tjt6768

Hi Ann, sorry for the xray results, not fun is it? My knees ae the same..
I was taking dihydrocodiene for the pain for many yrs, but that is a very strong painkiller.. Now taking tramadol, paracetamol, diclofenac and hydroxycloroquine as I also have sero-neg in my wrists and hands.. Lucky boy that I am..
There are many other options though, even for someone that can't have asprin.
Have you discussed pain relief with your GP? You need to build a decent relationship with them if possible, they are your 'gateway' to the treatment world, lol.
Swimming is good, helps to keep your muscles in the legs strong which is VERY important..
I would ask to be referred to an ortho specialist maybe.. There may be a couple of surgeries that may help.

Tony x:))

Ann4

Thank you Tony.
Sounds like you have been having fun over the years ! did your problem start over night as mine did or was it over the years,I'm learning about this you understand,can I stop this getting any worse do you think by exercise ? you said about swimming I cannot do that are you doing any exercises ?
I find I soon get stiff if I sit or when I get out of bed in the mornings, from what I have read thats how it is ??
Take care.
Ann4

Airwave!

Hi Ann4,
Knees, wonderful things, who the hell invented them anyrate! You have a lot of questions that a surgery nurse or GP should answer.

Any question of exercise, just think of the word 'gently' and start from where you are now in terms of fitness. I swim occasionally and cycle with my electric bike 2-3 times a week, everything should be done in moderation and this will support your muscles/tendons/ligaments, and keep them conditioned, which will allow you to carry on doing the things you need to do. Probably never gonna be a superb athlete again, but, hey ho, there's other things to do.
x:)) Its a xmas grin, honest!

dreamdaisy

It sounds like OA then. We are all different in how our various versions of this rubbish affect us - the only 'exercise' I can manage is isometric ones, clenching and releasing muscles in order to try and keep some strength in them. (I have a very different form of arthritis which means my joints react to exercise by swelling like balloons). There are some on here with OA who still manage to walk - get some sticks for support, they really can help - some can still cycle, many swim. You will learn, over time, what you can manage and what you cannot. It's a skill but one worth mastering!

Your doctor may be able to advise you about taking anti-inflammatories, they help with any inflammation and can reduce pain too. What I term 'ordinary' pain dullers, such as aspirin and paracetamol, do not have the clout that we people need to help relieve our pain - again he can advise on stronger meds. I have cocodamols 30/500, (a codeine/paracetamol mix), two forms of tramadol (morphine based) and liquid morphine for the truly excruciating times (which are, mercifully, few and far bewtween). It will take time to adjust and learn to manage your condition, in the meantime ask us anything you like - between us all we have a very wide range of experience. I hope some more OAers come along soon. I wish you well. DD

tjt6768

Hi Anne, my knees started getting bad as a teenager, giving way and locking etc, lots of pain. It was something called osteochondritis dessicans, it's to do with calcium and cartaledge. Had many key hole ops to remove loose bits etc. it's that while thing that had caused the arthritis, do it's been going on quite a while.
I do swim, not as often as if like, but that's my fault. I always get carried away and do too much, so that night and next day I can't move.. You'd think I'd know by now ? Lol
I try to walk as much as I can but it isn't a great deal, anything is good though, just learn your limits, you're body will tell you when enough is enough..
My joints are always bad on a morning, I take my meds at least half hour before I need to be up and about. It does help, but I do also stiffen up through ther day depending on what's going on etc.

Tony

Ann4 wrote:

Thank you Tony.
Sounds like you have been having fun over the years ! did your problem start over night as mine did or was it over the years,I'm learning about this you understand,can I stop this getting any worse do you think by exercise ? you said about swimming I cannot do that are you doing any exercises ?
I find I soon get stiff if I sit or when I get out of bed in the mornings, from what I have read thats how it is ??
Take care.
Ann4

elnafinn

Hi Ann

Welcome to the forum. I have had two Total Knee Replacements in the last two years so I know about knee pain but I think I was still luckier than some of the others on the forum who have or had knee pain before an operation took place.

Looking back, my knee problems started years ago and gradually got worse as time went by. I have always done stretching exercises most days and I am sure that is what keeps me as mobile as I am. I did stop the long walks that I used to enjoy but I could cycle, no problem, only the getting on and off the bike became more difficult. I use an exercise bike since my first TKR and do about 10 minutes every day and as soon as I was over the ops I took to riding my bicycle again. This is very good exercise as it is non weight bearing.

You should not push yourself too far with exercise but it is best to do some, if you can manage. Try shorter walks and see how you go on. Use it or lose it, springs to mind. I am sure that is true.

A shower/bath can help get the aches and pains to ease after a night's sleep. Wheatbags that you heat up in the microwave are lovely to put on cranky knees.

I was given anti inflammatories which I found beneficial. I had painkillers but towards the end, before the knee ops, they did not help overly much.

Try not to sit for too long. That makes the knees have to work all the harder to get going again. A tubigrip may help your knee(s )feel more comfortable.

Look after yourself,
Elna x

Ann4

Elna Hello.
Nice to type to you !
Thank you for your help, I shall take on board your tips,I'm looking forward to finding out just how far I will be able to walk as this problem came over night so still trying to get used the idea, plus in pain at the moment cannot take asprin (spelling?), I get a bit sad if I think our walking days are over we used to walk the odd 10 odd miles or so this started while on a break in Southwold came home limping ! had no hint of it at all, so feeling sad when I think shall we be able to go there walking next year...I think not to walk as we did,my husband has cancer and trying to keep fit you understand, we are looking after each other !
Ann4

elnafinn

Hi Ann

I am sorry to hear that your husband is unwell and it is good to know that you are looking after each other. This must be an added blow as you both found the walks enjoyable. Southwold is a lovely part of the world as is Aldeburgh. I have very fond memories of holidaying there in a caravan. The caravan Park in Aldeburgh has changed somewhat over the years but I love returning to that area every now and again. Now we stay over in a pub!

You have not been told what kind of arthritis you have, I take it. I have Osteo Arthritis (OA) or did have in my knees but I do have it elsewhere too. It is strange that both knees started up at the same time for you. That is not so usual with OA, as I understand it anyway. It may be a good idea to ask you gp if you could be referred to a rheumatologist, if he is not clear what type of arthritis you have. You can have a bloodtest but that is not a cut and dried way of finding out if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or not.

I do hope that you feel better soon and can get out and about together on your walks.

Luv
Elna x

elnafinn

Hi again, Ann

I have just looked at some of your earlier posts and you say that you have been told it is "wear and tear". I would ask for a bloodtest in the first instance to see what result that brings back. As said before I believe it is unusual with OA for both knees to start up at the same time. My consultant asked me to go for a bloodtest to rule out RA (for years I had always been told I had OA symptoms) and it came back positive. I saw a rheumy and he aspirated some fluid from my knee and the verdict was that I did not have RA because of the colour of the fluid taken away. My consultant wanted me to have the bloodtest purely because I had knee problems with both of them and also problems with both thumbs etc.

Luv
Elna x

dreamdaisy

Oooooh elna, how interesting. The fluid drained from my knees has always looked like flat lucozade, it's a bright orangey-yellow colour - they told me it's the standard shade for synovial fluid. What colour was yours? Perhaps your fluid wasn't synovial - I shall have to find out if there are other fluids in one's joints (wine, probably, in mine!) I hope you are OK today. DD

Ann4

Elna.
This problem is in both knees but only pain in one knee up to now,my Dr said its in both knees only at this time I'm having pain in one knee, if you underatand what I'm saying.
Ann4

Ann4

Elna.
We go to Aldeburgh and Southwold every year like the treat of having fish and chips at Aldeburgh then sitting on the beach wall !
Ann4

elnafinn

Ann4 wrote:

Elna.
This problem is in both knees but only pain in one knee up to now,my Dr said its in both knees only at this time I'm having pain in one knee, if you underatand what I'm saying.
Ann4

Hi Ann

Yes, I do understand what you mean. That is how mine started, pain in one knee and then the other. The second knee that became painful then overtook the first knee - goodness knows why. So that one was eventually operated on first.

Luv
Elna x

elnafinn

Ann4 wrote:

Elna.
We go to Aldeburgh and Southwold every year like the treat of having fish and chips at Aldeburgh then sitting on the beach wall !
Ann4

Hi Ann

Oh the fish and chips in Aldeburgh are so good from the shop nearest to the sea front, next to a pub. I wonder if we have sat on the same bit of beach wall as you! The sea gulls can become a little anoying though

Luv
Elna x

Ann4

Elna.
How do you send post next to mine ?
Ann4

Sounds like we have done the same things !

elnafinn

Ann4 wrote:

Elna.
How do you send post next to mine ?
Ann4

Sounds like we have done the same things !

If you click on Quote first then you get the other persons posting there for you to reply.

Is that what you meant?

Luv
Elna x

elnafinn

dreamdaisy wrote:

Oooooh elna, how interesting. The fluid drained from my knees has always looked like flat lucozade, it's a bright orangey-yellow colour - they told me it's the standard shade for synovial fluid. What colour was yours? Perhaps your fluid wasn't synovial - I shall have to find out if there are other fluids in one's joints (wine, probably, in mine!) I hope you are OK today. DD

Hi DD

I cannot remember what colour the liquid was as it was some years ago but also I was rather in shock visiting a rheumy at all after years of being diagnosed with OA which he agreed with, in the end.

Hope your day is one of the better ones, I am good today, getting nowhere fast but that is what it is like for me lately!


Luv
Elna x

woodbon

Hi Welcome to the forum. Did you have a blood test? I can't remember, but if they say wear and tear that means usually OA. The fact that its in both, but pain only in one maybe chance. I have OA in my hips and pain first in my right hip but now, after 2 or so years the left is beginning to hurt a bit, in the same way. The best thing you can do is to go back to your GP and ask what it is and what is the best way of keeping active and pain free. Physio can help to build up the muscles and take the strain a bit. Walking a bit is good, they say, for that. I know my distances and keep to them. But you need some advice about expercises.
Love Sue