Newbie to the group 🙂

Lanny

Hi everyone, I’m Lanny

i was diagnosed with OA of the right knee in 2016 following an MRI. I’m not sure my symptoms are typical because I don’t get pain as such, more of a constant ache. My knee was very swollen and I was unable to bend it by more than around 40 degrees. I had an arthroscopy and my consultant at the time advised that I would need a knee replacement in 2 - 3 years. Unfortunately I moved toA different area and the same processes and good practices do not seem to be in place here.

I have now been re-referred to the MSK clinic for the 3rd time in 5 years all they have offered to date is a short series of exercise sessions doing nothing that I don’t already do A total waste of NHS resources, in my opinion.

My right knee now turns in quite badly which affects my gait and posture which in turn causes lots of other referred pain My fingers are tightly crossed that some positive action will occur this time around. 🤞 🙂

Last year I was also diagnosed with severe OA of both hips and have just had a left total hip replacement and am busily getting used to using crutches. Again, my fingers are crossed 🤞 that my recovery will be speedy and provide me with a greater range of movement. I am so grateful that I didn’t have a very long wait like some people I know of.

My ability to perform a certain range of movements is very restricted and sometimes impossible. For example: getting in and out of the bath, getting in and out of the car if I can’t open my door fully, and getting up and down from the floor. My family seem to gain great merriment from watching me struggle to the floor and back up! Hey-ho at least I give them something to chuckle at! They do assure me that they are laughing with me a lot at me😂

The other thing, I find, is that my sleep is totally disrupted as I find it really hard to get comfortable whether that is in bed or even just sitting down to watch TV. My whole body seems to seize up after just a short space of time.

I wonder, does anybody else not exactly such a pain but lots of discomfort and aches? Every time I say that it isn’t a pain as such to any health professional I get these very quizzical looks. 🤔

Anna

Hello @Lanny and welcome to the online community,

Thank you for sharing your experience of living with arthritis. I am sure many members will understand what you mean by ‘ache rather than pain’ in your knee, as arthritis affects us all in different ways. If you type ‘knee ache’ into the search bar ( top right) you’ll find a list of previous posts that mention this as a symptom, and some offer suggestions as to how to cope with it.

I see that you have been given exercise sessions but they don’t seem to be helping. However, exercise is recommended to help with the pain of arthritis so I’ve put a few links to suggestions from the Versus Arthritis website that you might be interested in. There may be something that you haven’t tried yet.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/june/why-is-swimming-and-exercising-in-water-good-for-people-with-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-knees/

Do have a look round the forum and join in wherever you feel comfortable.

Anna (Mod)

Fran54

Hi Lanny,

I know just how you feel. I too struggle to get in and out of the bath and it does make you feel frustrated and me especially vulnerable. But to solve the problem I have bought one of those steps for the bath. You can buy several and stack one on top of the other. So that has helped with that problem. Getting in and out of a car, I tend to lower myself in sideways, sit first, then swing my legs round ( does this make sense?)

As for trying to get up off the floor, I don't do that anymore! When I was given my physio exercises and some were to be done lying on the floor, I told the person that I couldn't lie down, so they were adapted for me to do them sitting up on my bed.

I think what I am trying to convey is that I try and adapt most situations now and try not to let this 'arthur itis' beat me.😊

As the saying goes' Where there's a will there's a way'.☺️

Take care.

Lanny

Hi and thanks for your message.

It sounds to me that we do the same thi g getting in and out of the car. I also use a plastic shopper on the seat because it let's mw swivel round more easily.

You are so right about 'Arthur Itis' (I love this by the way 😁), we have to be canny and adapt where we can so that he doesn't take over our love of life.

I do seated or standing exercise at my gym class when others are on the floor, the instructors are extremely supportive. 😊

Thanks again and take care

Lanny

Fran54

Hi

I never thought of putting a plastic shopper on the seat, good thinking there. Someone I knew bought a sort of rotating seat which you sit on then swing yourself round on.

I sometimes look at the exercises on here and they show people doing the exercises either standing, sitting or holding on to a chair for support. It is good that you get the support you need as I am sure it must spur you on and give you confidence.

Yes we must not let 'Arthur Itis' take over our lives😊

Take care.