Painful calves are worse than knees

Block94

Physio at gp surgery tells me I have oa in both knees. I'd gone to him (in September)with knee pain snd slight calf pain.

Physio enabled me some exercises to do and reduce my walking (I lead a group) whilst awaiting referral to Physio at hospital. (Appointment next week)

I've tried to follow the advice bit after just a few days my calves had become really painful.and they've got worse. They're troubling me more than my knees . Also some lesser pain in hamstrings.

Is this because of a worsening of my oa or a result of the exercises.

I can hardly do anything at moment as my legs are so painful.

noddingtonpete

Hello @Block94 have a look at the following

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/april/top-tips-to-help-knee-pain/

Block94

Thanks - I'll take a look

helpline_team

Hi @Block94

Thank you for posting your question on the Helpline Online Community. Sorry to hear you're experiencing painful knees and calves. I hope you have found the article shared by @noddingtonpete helpful.

There can be many reasons for knee and calf pain. For example tendons (the strong cords connecting muscle to bone) can become inflamed, sore and painful. This is known as tendonitis that can occur through strain or injury.

Pain from osteoarthritis might be felt all around your knee, or just in a certain place, such as the front or side. It might feel worse after moving your knee in a particular way. Regular exercise balanced with periods of rest are recommended for people with osteoarthritis. Although doing the exercises can feel a bit sore at first, building up gradually, you should feel the benefits over time. However, if the movements suggested for you are causing significant discomfort, I would advise you to ask your physiotherapist for further advice. There may be an alternative exercise they suggest for you.

Some people with osteoarthritis may experience pain down the back of their calf if they have a Baker's cyst (a lump that can appear at the back of their knee). A Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled swelling that can occur when part of the joint lining bulges through a small tear in the joint capsule. These cysts can sometimes burst so the fluid leaks down into your calf, causing sharp pain, swelling and redness in the calf. You can read more about this and osteoarthritis in the information links I'm sharing with you.

I hope you will find the following information from our website helpful:

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

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

Best wishes,

Helen, Helpline Advisor

Block94

Thanks for this Helen. I've my first actual appointment at physio atcthe hospital tomorrow. Hopefully I'll learn a bit more

helpline_team

Hi @Block94

You may find our general information about exercise useful and it's also bearing in mind the benefit healthy eating routines to keep weight down.

Exercising with arthritis | Top tips, specific exercises

Eating well with arthritis | healthy eating for people with arthritis

And there are lots of videos of people with arthritis demonstrating how they keep moving on Versus Arthritis' You Tube.

I hope that's helpful

All the best

Guy - Helpline Team

Block94

Thanks guy.