How fast can damage happen?

Rosycheeks

Hey all, I hope the sun has returned

I have had trouble with my left knee on and off for a fair while now (due to pa) I had it xrayed about 5 months ago and apparently all was well :shock:

For about the last 3 months my knee has been extremely painful and swollen, it looks and feels as if there is a water baloon inside my knee. The pain is unrelenting, even at night it wakes me regularly. Well yesterday I had a headache and decided I was doing absolutely nothing for the whole day apart from laying on the sofa Today my knee is less swollen and no longer feels as though there is a water baloon inside it... BUT it is way more painful. I should add I cant fully bend my knee normally because its soo tight and painful but today even bending it slightly is agony without the tight feeling. It is still swollen but not like normal when i have been walking on it at work etc.

Soooo does anyone know if within 5 months since my xray I could now have damage in my knee? Can damage occur that fast? :?

xxx

dreamdaisy

We're not doctors, RosyCheeks, so cannot really say what is going on. I had undiagnosed PsA in my left knee, which swelled and swelled and I well remember that 'full' feeling and not being able to bend it too far. Fifiteen years on it still has that feeling despite it being considerably smaller and I still can't bend it much beyond 90 degrees. Same with the right! I note that resting it helped, I rest mine for at least an hour every day, preferably longer if I can. If it is troubling you then contact your rheumatology department helpline (if there is one) or your GP. I wish you well. DD

stickywicket

I guess damage probably can occur so quickly but what you are describing, RosyCheeks, sounds just normal arthritis to me. I had balloons for knees for years except when they drained them. The swelling is all the fluid inside. That, in itself, doesn't mean that the bones have deteriorated any more.

It's a bit of a Catch22. My guess (and it's only a guess) would be that resting yesterday helped on the fluid front but that it also meant that your muscles slackened up hence the stiffness today. The rule is you can't win :roll: Keep trying though and, if in doubt, get it checked out.

lindalegs

I think it all depends how aggressive your arthritis is Rosycheeks.

Try ice packing then gentle movement to try to keep your mobility and help reduce the fluid. I was told that when the fluid round a joint thickens and turns to gel it (a) does the damage and (b) is harder to get rid of. (I was told this by a physio many years ago and modern thinking may have changed.) Nevertheless it needs looking at because that's a long time to have a swollen knee. :shock:

Luv,

freesia

I'm not medically trained so can't advise...

But...

I suffered knee pain on & off for about a year, x-rays at the beginning were fine, then pain got worse and was referred to knee consultant, then WHAM BAM diagnosed straight to OA grade 4....!!

If your concerned - speak to your GP..

Good luck xx

barbara12

Hi Rosy
Sorry I cant offer any advice, but I do hope that your knee is less painful, just one thing my OH had a bakers cyst, so you ask your GP about it , then if it is they can be drained before it burst.

Rosycheeks

Thank you everyone. I will try to see my gp this week. The pain is unbearable everytime I move my knee and even sitting totally still it often has a deep ache. I dont have any more apps with the rheumy till July so maybe I can get my gp to drain/inject it with steroids. Boy does this suck :? xx

skezier

Hi Rosy,

Glad your gong to see the gp and hope they will help. maybe the rumo appointment could be brought forward if the gp asks as well?

Hope you can get a comfortable night and its a bit better in the morning. Cris x

Rosycheeks

YAY i spoke to my gp over the phone this morning and he agreed to another steroid injection for my knee Boooo that I have to wait till next Friday, but I have hope...
xxx