Knee pain

Stukes

I am awaiting a knee replacement due to osteoarthritis. I had a partial replacement in my other knee 18 months ago. I am really struggling with pain. I am taking dihydracodine, naproxen, pregablin and amitripline. my knee keeps locking and is really painful to move back from bent to straight and vice versa. I currently use a crutch. I am wondering if a brace would be appropriate and whether I should explore this with my GP. I am working at present but it is getting harder and harder.

Thanks

helpline_team

Hi @Stukes

Thanks for your post and I'm sorry that this pain is so hard for you. I'm not sure what kind of work you do and whether you can alternate standing and sitting according to your needs, and I wonder how physical work is. You might want to get some help from Access To Work and they can help with transport in some cases as well.

It's helpful to eat carefully (balanced diet) to keep your weight down and follow advice over keeping moving.

A knee brace/support can be a mixed issue as you need to keep the supporting muscles strong, as they are vital in the post surgical recovery. So this question really needs to be explored with someone medically qualified - ideally a physiotherapist.

I'm attaching some links, and also do feel free to ring us for some support 0800 5200 520.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee | Knee pain | Versus Arthritis

Exercising with arthritis | Top tips, specific exercises (versusarthritis.org)

Employment and work | Versus Arthritis

Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

All the best

Guy - Helpline Team

Loggiemod

Hello @Stukes you may have already been directed to this but if not have a look below to see if it helps

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/knee-pain/

jonr

Hi @Stukes,

I used to get a lot of locks on my knees and they'd strike at totally random moments without warning.

What I have found to help pretty much eradicate them is stretches and a lot of them to help keep the hamstring and cruciate ligaments supple. When locks did occur, providing I was at home, a hot wheatbag and a deep tissue massaging gun helped to release and soothe and afterwards rubbing in some red tiger balm and 5KIND Hemp Gel.

Now, you may find it too painful to do the stretches at first, it might be a case of building them up over several months as I did - "little and often".

Apologies if I'm teaching you how to suck eggs, thought I'd just pass on what I found worked for me.

Jon