Apos Therapy

HP1

Has anyone had any experience of Apos therapy? I have OA in my knees. My knee pain is out of control despite taking Naproxen. I cannot exercise and at times can hardly walk. As a 52 year old with school aged children I am desperate to find a solution.

dreamdaisy

If it worked it would be prescribed on the NHS and the forum would not exist. Oddly enough it isn't and we're here. From what I know about it all you have to lose is around three thousand pounds, so if you can afford that then go ahead and try. Naproxen alone won't solve the pain issue, you need some reasonable pain control too. I have OA in a number of very useful joints, I keep my anti-inflammatory tablet to the minimum but need my two - four cocodamol tablets per day to help me cope. DD

elnafinn

Hi HP1

I am sorry to hear that you are not in control of your knee pain. Before my TKR's I took the maximum prescribed cocodamols and two anti inflammatory pills daily. I also exercised and rode my bicycle locally which took the weight off my knees. I would have another chat with your GP unless you are adverse to taking prescribed drugs. I did not particularly like taking them but I preferred quality of life. A heated wheatbag is soothing for knee pain and ice helps to lessen inflammation.

Elna

stickywicket

Hello HP1. APOS therapy is, I believe, designed to correct one's gait. So are orthotic insoles which the NHS will provide if they are deemed necessary. Improving the gait is always a good thing and APOS therapy might help with pain levels but, as DD says, if it worked the NHS would be recommending it.

My experience of knee OA is the same as that of Elna and DD. Take the pain relief and do the exercises. The latter keep supporting muscles strong and that does, actually, lessen the pain though it won't seem so at first. You might find some helpful info, including exercises, here. http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Selfmanagement I have done mine right up to every op (Three TKRs and two THRs – I've had RA for a long, long time), even when I really struggled to walk at all. The operation success rate is better for those who do.

If you do want to read more about APOS therapy though, here are some former threads http://bit.ly/UDrzAk

HP1

Many thanks for all your replies. My GP has got rather fed up with me & having prescribed the maximum pain relief (naproxen & paracetamol) feels she had done her bit. The fact that it is ineffective is not her problem. She has suggested I take tramadol instead of paracetamol but this puts me to sleep - not much use on the school run! I attend a specialist hospital where one of the physiotherapists told me "it is not their job to relieve my pain!" I am at a loss as to where to go from here. I am caught in a catch 22 situation - I cannot exercise because of the pain and because I'm not exercising the knee muscles are not being strengthened. I use ice packs several times a day but will give the warm wheat packs another go

I have been prescribed insoles but they have made no discernible difference. I was told at my last review that the sturdy shoes I purchased especially were not right & I must wear motion control runners trainers. I am wondering if I should just put the cost of these trainers towards having Apos therapy.

stickywicket

The physio exercises should relieve pain to some extent but physios can't prescribe anything.

I think your GO has maybe given up a bit too easily. There are other options for pain relief besides tramadol. I can't take it either but, rather than paracetamol, I take co-codamol when stuff's hurting. It comes in different strengths. Some take paracetamol and codeine separately.

You could ask to be referred to a Pain Clinic. They will teach you techniques for dealing with pain.

bridesmum

I take Dihydrocodeine 30mgsx2 up to 4 times a day, but usually try to take them twice a day. My gp prescribed them for me as I struggled with the same strength co-codamols which tended to make me feel sick and woozy. She said it had been found to be better tolerated with some patients and I have been fine with it. I was out for the count with Tramadol so that was a no go. I was taking Naproxen but having attended a pain management course and been told by a pain consultant that it shouldn't be used long term I stopped taking it. I don't feel any more pain than when I was taking it though it could be different for others. Take care, Deb

HP1

Thank you so much. I will ask about Dihydrocodeine, I cannot take co-codamol either so perhaps that will work for me too. I had no idea that pain clinics or pain consultants existed. I will try to get a referral. I don't feel as hopeless as I did this morning. Thanks to everyone who has responded to my thread.

dreamdaisy

We have to learn to live with the pain. Every movement I make hurts and has done for year but because I am used to it I can cope with it and keep my pain relief to a minimum. I still do my post-op exercises to help my muscles - yes, it hurts but it's for my benefit. Not all pain relief comes in pill form - ask your unhelpful GP about pain patches. I hope she also prescribed a stomach protector alongside the naproxen - if not please ask for it.

Once the damage is done it's done and it cannot be undone until joint replacements become an option. If you are keen to try something then why not spend around £30 on a pair of copper insoles? Many swear by them (including Kathleen Turner, Hollywood actress and RA-sufferer who was waxing lyrical about them in yesterday's Mail). DD