OA in both knees and hips

Depressed12

Hello everyone.

4 months ago I was diagnosed with bilateral knee and hip osteoarthritis. I'm 38 only. All tha came as a rapid schock to me. I was consulted the GP for my back and leg problem and after examination he ordered X ray of the hips and knees that revealed the horrible truth (mild to moderate joint space narrowing). Within four months my situation has become much worse. My knees are sore most of the day and the crepitus is awful. After longer warking it starts aching and sometimes the right knee hurts It asat night (i cant properly sleep anway). Hips are doing better, just limited ROM, some noise and stiffness on the right side. All this has enormous effect on m mind as I m so young and really cant enjoy anything anymore. It has progressed so quickly that i m afraid I will lose ability to walk in a year or can do that only with lot of pain. Is there any hope at all as I m so young? Or is it possible that the first flare up will subside for some years. For now my orthopedist prescribed me mild painkillers and referred to physio? Is there anythin else i can do?

valval

i do feel for you exercise is good to help muscles suport the joints if pain meds are not strong enough go back they can give you something stronger or something to help you sleep keep moving swimming is great but try not to over do it start small and build good luck val

stickywicket

Val has given you some good advice. Pain meds and exercise are the way to deal with OA. Do things get better? Well, the exercises will help but the only 'cure' is new joints. I had my first two at 35 and they were/are brilliant.

succotash

Hi, sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.
I am only 43 and have been recently diagnosed with OA too. It has really knocked me for six as it has progressed so rapidly.
One minute I had sharp pains in my knees and some other joints the next I had a full blown flare up.

I have an appt with the specialist next week to see how I can manage it better.
However in the mean time I have joined the gym and they have been great. They work alongside the NHS and gave me some great exercise advice. They have told me the best way to minimise flare ups is to keep the muscles around the joint strong and to use other lager muscles in my body better so that I dont put so much strain on my joints. I have only been going for 15/20 mins each day for a week and I can notice a big difference already!
They said short burst every day rather than doing an hour 3 times a week would be better in the begining. So that I am doing.

I dont know if there is an active lifestyle NHS scheme near to you but I have been advised to get a referal from my gp as they are meant to offer good advice for staying active with a disability.

hope this is of some help to you.