Best pain relief for arthritic knees

Maybe turning to something less intrusive might help!, it works for me. Heat from a hot wheat bag, just keep using them, take them to bed with you, wake up and use them. Painkillers, your body will soon become us3d to them, try an analgesic ointment at the same time as some heat.

I find that using a decent pair of shoes with cushioned soles and supportive insoles from the hospital work in keeping the weight bearing joints in a line and not changing helps. I have only one pair of shoes at a time.

so, think of a total approach to include all your weight supporting joints, including your spine, do exercise, don’t overdo it, find your own limits. You will not find just one thing that works but a multiple approach does work.

its a grin, honest!

Hi @SoniaR

If you haven't yet seen it, there is a great section on the web site for gentle knee exercises that you might like to try:

Also, you could take a look at Let's Move with Leon, a great general exercise programme you can do in your own time in your own way.

Do let us know how you get on with coping with the pain.

All best wishes

Brynmor

Hi everyone I was recently diagnosed with mild OA in my knee but have been in a lot of pain. I'm taking Naproxen and paracetamol which seem to be holding it at bay during the day. However, the minute I get into bed it's a different story! I'm finding it really difficult to get comfortable and seem to be waking every time I turn over.

Has anyone got any tips for things which might help?

Hello,

Im new here but have been living with OA for over 10 years. I don’t find any oral pain relief to be helpful once the cartilage is gone, total knee replacement is the only real option. I had one knee replaced 3 years ago now. I also had barriers placed before me regarding weight & age but I kept at them, telling the surgeon how badly my mental health was being affected by my life grinding to a halt.

I make my own pain relief balms which I massage into my hands & knees a couple of times a day. I’ve found elder leaf & dandelion to be a good combination for the pain in the warmer months. Over winter I add wintergreen which helps warm my joints.

like others, I too use a knee pillow at night, though this is more to combat the terrible cramps.

I am now 53yrs old and started with knee pain at least 10yrs ago. Had a meniscus tear which I had an arthroscopy which resulted in a partial meniscuspy. That was relatively pain free for a couple of years before the pain returned. I have now been in the waiting list for a left knee replacement over 2years and recently found out my right knee is now in the same condition and will also need a total knee replacement. I currently take meloxicam 15mg as I can’t tolerate any nsaids. I am still in constant pain and at the point of it affecting my mental health. I work full time and on my feet 10hrs a day, but I’m not getting any help.

Hi

I have been told I have mild arthritus in my left knee, It has reduced my walks and exercise. But I will not be beat. I do knee exercises with Jay on versus arthritus and swim. I am gradually pushing myself to walk a bit further every day. But I could do with a pain killer, not to take all the time but some days (when it rains..weirdly) it is painful. I am Jan I am 66 and hate the fact I am getting older. 🤨

Hi I’ve just found you - I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (inherited connective tissue disorder) and was first diagnosed with arthritis back in 1991. I have had multiple surgeries to stabilise or replace various joints (toes, wrists, knees, hips) I’m currently recovering from a total fusion of my right index finger.

I use a combination of most of the self-help tips, such as hot baths and sleeping with pillows to prop your hips & knees in the correct alignment, plus prescription medication (gabapentin) alongside over the counter paracetamol. I have dogs and a horse so I am active outdoors most days which helps me cope mentally, constant pain makes you really depressed

I was prescribed Capsaicin cream last November and have been applying it to my arthritic knees four times a day until about a month ago when the pharmacist told me it was no longer available due to a manufacturing issue. Has anyone else been using it and now not able to get supplies? I found it was slow to have an affect but certainly helped me after a few weeks and I'm really missing it now as I wasn't happy on naproxen. I've phoned every pharmacy within 25 miles and no one has any!

Hi @Linmal , I was diagnosed with mild OA about 4 years ago and was referred for physio. The essence of what the physio said was that I should exercise to strengthen the muscles around the knees and this would stabilise it and reduce pain. At that time I struggled to get comfortable in bed without a knee pillow, and took paracetamol sometimes supplemented with ibuprofen. Since then I have exercised regularly, ranging from squats (as low as I could manage with my clicking knees, which wasn’t very low), walking and using an exercise bike. It takes time to build the strength as movement is limited to start with, but I now do 30 minutes on the exercise bike on most days, can walk freely, and don’t take any pain killers except on very bad days, perhaps once a month. From my experience I would say it does work, but takes time and you need to stick with it. Hope this helps.

Hi I've been told I have oesteoarthritis I was finding it hard to sleep still do but it has been made easier by having a leg pillow well worth the money if you turn in your sleep it turns with you