Hi I’m new here, struggling a bit with OA of the knee

KevRetrotech

I’ve been living with OA in my right knee for many years but in recent years it started to effect my driving and although I love walking if I go further than 1/2 a mile it gets painful and stiff.

Recently been discharged from community physio with exercises with the expectation of knee replacement in 10 years (I’m 63) and told to self manage.

Any tips for balancing exercise/rest and pain management. Currently trying not to be grumpy with my family 😊

PJoanne

Hello @KevRetrotech

It's good that you are being proactive, have you discussed pain management with your GP? This is something they should help you with.

Here is a link to some info, I hope you find something useful here.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/

Best, Joanne

jonr

Hello @KevRetrotech,

I firmly believe that decent pain management and physio/exercise targeted at strengthening muscles around weakened joints is the way forward and as @PJoanne has commented, it starts with your GP. However, the reality is they can't do that much other than to prescribe anti-inflammatories and something to protect the stomach lining which can get inflamed or even bleed with prolonged use. These will not be enough so it's worth supplementing anything you're prescribed with supplements such as Omega 3 fish oil, Curcumin and Boswellia Serrata. I started Acupuncture in March last year and it's been a game-changer, pretty much reducing the bone-on-bone OA in both knees to a background ache and all but eliminated flare-ups. It may be worth you looking into?

I've found elasticated knee supports to help when planning a walk of any distance, there's usually a good range at independent pharmacies and they usually have a room you can use to try a few on for fit and comfort. These help with stability and I find the compression soothing. Also very useful if you smear any creams or gles on like Voltorol or Red Tiger Balm as it prevents your trousers getting mucky and ensure the gels soak in nicely.

With Physio, my personal view is it ain't gonna be enough on its own - supplementing this with low impact activity like swimming, cycling and walking will help and develop calves, quads and glutes to help support your knee. I do some weights in the gym to strengthen these even more but best done under supervision in the first instance.

Anyway, quite a lot here to take in and sorry for the essay, hope something might prove helpful moving forward.

Jon