Knee osteoarthritis

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catwoman
catwoman Member Posts: 11
in Chat to our Helpline Team

Hi

I have osteoarthritis in my left knee. I am thinking about having a steroid injection to see if this might help but don't know if this will work or not.

Also I have seen knee patches you can get but again not sure if these are any good and are they safe when you are on medication.

I don't find my doctors much help - this arthritis has made me very depressed and I have lost a lot of my confidence

I would appreciate any advice

Thanks

Comments

  • Cimca
    Cimca Member Posts: 33
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    Hi catwoman

    I would certainly talk to your gp about steroid injections. I know this works extremely well for some people. Unfortunately it didn't for me.

  • nicholaj
    nicholaj Member Posts: 64
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    I can empathise with how you feel. I am struggling with anxiety and depression over it.

    My arthritis got much worse last spring and is now a feature every day. However, I set myself a target of doing something positive each day even if it ‘hurts’ like a bit of gardening in the summer.

    And most importantly doing the exercise regime which you can find links to on here.

    I am hoping to have a conversation with a specialist soon as all I have had is a few minutes phone calls with GP and prescriptions for pain killers. Steroid injections might form part of that conversation.

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,488
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    Hi @catwoman

    Have you had some support over self-management for arthritis? If you've seen a physiotherapist and are you trying a few minutes of daily physio exercises - that might be really helpful. Also are you eating a balanced diet, rich in fruit and veg to keep your weight down? Both of these points might come before exploring options such as injections. A physio would be able to support you to consider if you might benefit from further medical treatments, if things are difficult.

    If the patches are some kind of painkilling medication, then again that would be something to talk over with someone medically qualified.

    If you've been finding dealing with doctors frustrating, why not ring us at the Helpline, so we can hear a bit more about what's been happening, what you've tried and to support you. Talking things over can be very supportive and we have time to really listen.

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

    I hope we can help further

    all the best

    Guy

  • William50
    William50 Member Posts: 6
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    I have osteoarthritis of the left knee I have been applying a 5% gel which the doctor prescribed for me to use, now the pain is worse and I still applying this gel which sometimes during the day works, I find at night it is worse when lying in bed , I have one of those cushions between my legs so the my knees don't clash. I was wondering if anyone has used the 10% gel which is the maximum, as I can't speak with doctor for a couple of days I am thinking of popping a note into the prescription box to ask the doctor if he could prescribed this 10% gel. My wife cannot get out of the house at the moment due to leg problems. I am out most days doing the shopping so this my form of exercise.

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,628
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    Hello @William50

    I just wanted to welcome you to the online community. I see you have posted about your knee pain. While you are waiting for the helplines to get back to you this might be of interest:

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

    It might also be an idea to post again in the Life with Arthritis category here if you wanted to hear what other members are doing to manage their own pain.

    Best wishes

    Ellen.

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,488
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    Hi@William50

    Thanks for you post to the Helpline. If you were particularly looking for the input of other people who might have tried the stronger gel, then I'll leave other forum folk to reply to you.

    If you want to explore as many things which have positive evidence, then you'd perhaps explore doing knee physiotherapy daily and consider healthy eating to keep weight down.

    Finally there's capsaicin cream (prescription only) which is another option.

    Capsaicin | Uses, side-effects | Versus Arthritis

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

    If you'd like any further support, you'd be most welcome to ring us on our freephone 0800 5200 520.

    All the best

    Guy

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