Osteoarthritis

Groot

hi my name is Pam and I got osteoarthritis in my left knee and I am just wondering if anyone have any suggestions for me

olivia_b

Hi @Groot,

Welcome to the Online Community! We are happy to have you here.

While I have no personal experience with specifically osteoarthritis, many of our members and moderators do. So while you are waiting to hear from someone with experience, I have linked some information and tips below about osteoarthritis.

I hope this helps you or gives you some insight for now.

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

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis/

Socialdancer

Hello Groot, I also have osteoarthritis in my left knee, grade IV. I am seeing a consultant in early September and will be interested to hear what he suggests. I’ve been keeping on with my usual stuff, dancing, walking, but taking it a little bit easier and seem to be managing for the time being.

Gier

Hi my name is Ray and like you I have the same problem in my left knee. It's been nearly 5 years since it was first diagnosed and sadly the help and lack of support I have received from the NHS is the norm in Newcastle. I went on an 8 week exercise and mobility course and the experiences I got from the others was exactly like mine. I have gone through Creams, pills, knee braces and now I use a walker.

Ellen

Hi @Gier Ray. Welcome to the Versus Arthritis online community.

(Apologies @Groot Pam for hijacking your thread)

I see from your post that you also have Osteoarthritis (OA) in you left knee. I hope some of the information Olivia gave to Pam has been useful for you too.

I would just like to add another link which might be of interest these are some very very gentle exercises:

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

Using a walker and keeping moving is a really good idea.

I wonder whether anyone has looked at your knee since you were diagnosed almost 5 years ago. A lot can change in that time and it might be that your knee has deteriorated. You might now benefit from other interventions such as steroid injections or even surgery. Of course not everyone wants to go down that path.

I am very glad you have found the forum and hope you'll decide to keep posting.

Best wishes

Ellen.

Gier

Thanks Ellen I have the exercises but a reminder is always useful. I've had 3 x-rays the most recent in July, just waiting for the result. I think my knee is getting worse but the agency will say it's still classed as mild. The nurse I saw at the RVI discussed an operation but after working out my BMI she said that an operation would only be an option if I lose weight.

KC1

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/725700#Comment_725700

I’d really encourage you re the weight loss. My siblings have lost so much weight this year. One had used slimming world and lost more tha 4 stones. It’s taken a significant burden off their knee (which is arthritic) but may also mean they can have surgery for another condition. My other sibling has lost more than 10 stones following a low fat diet for around 12 months now - they still have a way to go but have done amazingly. They have less than 5g of fat in any one meal and have also changed other aspects of their diet. It has been transformative. They have higher energy, less pain etc. They were able to have major surgery at the end of last year after years of problems which has also made a significant difference to them. If you can get support with your weight loss and know you are not alone.

Bryony

Hi Ray

Unfortunately most of the trusts are using BMI (30, 35, 40 depending on postcode) to ration knee surgery, supposedly to keep within budgets and a way to make waiting lists appear less bad. It is a false economy as it increases costs long-term (more appointments needed, more knock-on health issues due to loss of mobility, side effects from long-term use of pain meds, depression etc).

As mobility gets more difficult and pain increases then it becomes harder to lose weight and harder to not resort to comfort eating. I'm trying to ward off the temptation of comfort eating. My BMI is fine at the moment, but I can see how easily it could increase if I'm not careful.

Do try and lose weight, and do keep a note of it, and dates, to show you have been trying. Maybe do something through your GP so they have a record, and won't demand, when/if you do need knee replacements that you've got to spend a further 2 years trying to reduce weight before they will do them The low carb diets and the intermittent fasting diets do seem to work well for some, and any reduction in weight will put less stress on the knee and should help with some pain reduction.

I'm in North Yorkshire and the NHS has given me very little support here too. The only people I know who have had knee replacements have had to go private. Face-to-face physio has been almost non-existent since 2020, just told to download a leaflet.

Gier

I think by the time I lose enough weight to qualify for an operation I'll be dead or the "Monster Racing Loony Party" are running the government.

Baloo

@Groot so far I am finding that both weight and exercise are critical. I weigh 93kg at the moment. I exercise on a bicycle and this has regained the normal looseness of my knees, but as soon as I stood up from my seat on the tram yesterday, carrying extra weight (around 6kg of wheely bag), my left knee went stiff.

I am expecting to be limping for a week after this mistake, but the stiff will wear off as it usually does.

dds35day

dds35day

I am new here. I recently found out that my shoulder needs to be replaced and basically for now I can't use my right arm for much. I am otherwise healthy and find myself totally bummed out. My friend recently had that surgery and has not recovered entirely over months. So I'm waiting and it hurts. But right now I am totally depressed because I wanted to do many that I can't do now. Pretty much everything except take a walk. I know I have a lot to be grateful for and self pity is bad. How do you adjust?