Newbie

jdudley64

Hello everyone my name is Joanne and I have osteoarthritis in my right knee. I'm currently off work as mobility is slow. I work as a domestic in a care home and I do love the job, but I have to face the fact that I might have to give it up. I can get about if I use the crutch for outside walks. I'm also looking for exercises, I'm doing squats and leg exercises (got them you tube). Also if anyone has any ideas on how I can shower (it's a private rented house and the shower is over the bath). Thankyou for welcoming me into the community.

Shirley23

Hello @jdudley64 (Joanne) and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience too.

I am sorry to hear that you are currently off work due to osteoarthritis (OA) in your knee which is restricting your mobility and making everyday tasks difficult. It sounds as if you have been going through a rough time. An Occupational Therapy (OT) home assessment may help. This can be arranged through your local council adult social services or GP.

It may help to go back to your GP to talk things through further, review your pain medication and explore treatment options. Referral to a physiotherapist may be worth considering as well as referral to an orthopaedic specialist. NSAID gels, such as Ibuprofen and Voltarol, or Capsaicin cream on prescription may be worth a try. Heat and/or cold may help too. The right kind of exercises, a little and often, can make a difference to how you feel. Eating a healthy balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help to put less strain on all your joints.

As you are living with a long term condition which substantially affects your daily activities and work, you are covered by the Equality Act 2010 which means that your employer is legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments to make your job more manageable , if they are aware of your condition. This includes more flexible hours, working part time, adapting your role, provision of special equipment and sometimes redeployment to another role within the same organisation.

I hope the information given below, which includes knee exercises, will be of some help.   

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/work/

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

If you would like to have more replies to your post, you are welcome to repost on our Living with Arthritis forum which is a supportive space where you can ask questions and share experiences with others facing similar challenges.

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I am sure that others will connect with you to share their support and experience as well.

Best wishes,

@Shirley23 (moderator)

Fran54

Hi@jdudley64

welcome to this Community. Regarding having the shower over the bath I bought a step which I stood on to help me get into the bath. The one I had you could buy more steps which slotted together to increase the height. There are several sites which help with aids for the bathroom. I also bought a sock puller upper which helps me get my socks on and I wouldn't be without it. Hope this info. helps.

Take care🙂