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Knees...

(73 Posts)
pen50 Tue 13-Feb-18 12:32:00

My arthritic knees are giving me a lot of pain at the moment. They need replacing, really, but I'm youngish (61) for that, I'm too busy at work to take the time off, and about 50% of the people I know who've had new knees are not entirely happy.

I'm due to see a specialist in 3 weeks but meantime has anyone got any tips for managing the pain? The only thing I've found to work is a cocktail of both paracetamol and ibuprofen, but I'm pretty sure it's not good for the rest of me.

jura2 Tue 13-Mar-18 21:26:37

Overnight??? it is supposed to be used for 30 minutes 3 or 4 times day!

As said, trust my docs and physios.

MargaretX Tue 13-Mar-18 21:10:25

BBbevan Just to add to your post about Rosehip tablets.
I have used them 3 times with success. Each time it takes about 4 weeks and then the pain decreases until in a year or two it comes back and I start again.

I found it on the Osteoarthritis research web site. All natural methods have been tested to see if they ease pain and that was the one that appealed to me. It is the inside of the rosehip stone and the juice is not the same product.

If you have money in Germany you can pay to have your carteledge removed and new carteledge grown in a lab and then replaced. The son of an electronics shop in town did his knees in, lifting and delivering washing machines etc. He was off work -or just sitting about for 6 months and now has two new knees. - but his own.

Jane10 Tue 13-Mar-18 21:04:14

Check the Mayo clinic and NICE guidance. However, it's up to you. As I said I was put in one overnight after my op. The hospital obviously had one but the staff had never seen it used as the consultants had all stopped recommending them in the light of modern thinking.

jura2 Tue 13-Mar-18 16:49:47

Of course I have- and they have those pro and those against.
I have no hesitation and trust both physios, 'my' surgeon and OH - more than the internet.

The guy who delivered it and adjusted it for my leg/size- said he had to have an operation to release adhesions and all sorts of problems after his first- and blames it on lack of mobility at the start.

As said, we are all different, and even our 2 knees are very different depending on past injuries, etc. Perhaps one of the reasons they are not used much in UK is because it would add significantly to cost (I paid about 420£ for 1 month of use, with delivery and adjustments).

100 degrees today- it took me 2 months last time- so pretty chuffed.

Jane10 Tue 13-Mar-18 12:26:33

These machines are rarely used here. Check the research on them.

jura2 Tue 13-Mar-18 12:23:07

BTW is it possible to hire Kinetec machines in the UK?

Mine arrived yesterday and I do 4 x 30 mins a day- up to 95 degrees now- and been doing other knee too (from 2 years ago, at 120 - hoping over next 4 weeks I'll get to 130 for both- which would mean cycling and skiing would be real possibilities in a few months (well next winter for the skiing bit - although it is snowing like crazy now).

Pheeeeew - just shows we are allo different, a even for one person, the situation from knee to knee can be vastly different- as said, the first one done 2 years ago was carrying 47 years of extreme damage - this one was just cream crackered for doing the work for 2). It took me 2 months last time to seen the light at the end of the tunnel - I can see it this time after just a week- and can walk up stairs normally with the crutches. Amazing.

jura2 Sun 11-Mar-18 20:11:58

doing it as we speak MG smile lol- yes, saw this the other day and it did make me laugh. Thanks.

Totally open to Bonesmart Jane- but I trust 'my' surgeon, physio and personal assistant (aka OH). We are all different and for me, mobilisation is truly the way forwards, with kinetec machine and lots of hard work.

MontanaGal Sun 11-Mar-18 00:32:04

I've never had problems with my knees, but I sympathize with all of you that have had pain or surgery. I don't mean to make light of your pain in any with this cartoon...I just think it is cute.

Jane10 Sat 10-Mar-18 19:38:43

Bio oil is nice and smells lovely.

jura2 Sat 10-Mar-18 18:23:50

of course Jane only when fully healed- massage and keep moving the patella.

Jalima1108 Sat 10-Mar-18 17:35:56

merlot I am wearing one of those at the moment on my knee (it has a hole in it at the front to allow for movement I think).
I think I'll try wearing it lower down the leg as one knee is very painful at the moment - after rushing around town one day a few weeks ago, the back of my knee seemed to go into a spasm and the front keeps clicking in and out quite painfully.
I suppose I should go and see the GP. hmm

Jane10 Sat 10-Mar-18 16:44:58

Aaargh! Don't massage your scar. Let it heal completely before you faff around with a healing wound!!
Let Bonesmart be your guide.

jura2 Sat 10-Mar-18 16:42:47

Home Sweet Home ... and no pain, what a difference to last time (so much damage due to accident in .. 1970).

Thanks for the bonesmart link, will have a look. I suppose there is physio and physio ... 'My' wonderful, sensitive, kind but firm physion is visiting me at home twice next week- and the kinetec machine is arriving on Monday for 2 x 1 hr session each day. But will be very careful to massage scar and area several times daily and watch out for any inflammation or adverse reaction. x

Jane10 Sat 10-Mar-18 13:35:48

Check out the Bonesmart forum. Lots of practical advice and experiences to learn from. I only wish I'd known about it before embarking on physio after my knee replacement!! Too much physio too soon led to me developing inflammation and adhesions. I had to have a manipulation under anaesthetic as a result! After that I was put on a CPM overnight but that was all. Following that I had minimal physio (2 sessions only) which focused on practicalities such as gait and stairs. The research shows that at 6 months there is no difference in outcome between those that did lots of physio and those that did none. Counterintuitive I know but having the experience I had I'm not going to do any more exercise than mobilising and walking after my next TKR.

jura2 Fri 09-Mar-18 18:26:20

let the bending and extending battle commence smile
Physio booked for 2 home visits next week, then 2 x a week at her place for next 6 weeks and lots or work at home.

Been snowing like crazy but hopefully Spring round corner.

Advice from OH - always have such ops, hips, etc, at the beginning of Spring if you can choose. It improves mood, confidence, etc, etc.

jura2 Fri 09-Mar-18 18:23:59

oh I did- for last 4 weeks been doing leg raises, etc- and it is really helping.

So after a really nightmare first night, climbing up the walls in pain- the doc realised a drain had been put into a nerve that sent my back, thigh, knee and calf into painful spasm - they took it out (ouchie) and it was like a miracle - phhhheeeew. 2 hours on the kinetec machine (do they use those in UK? Like a splint in 2 halves that forces your knee up and down at increasing degrees- got twice to 95 today- so they are sending me home tomorrow. Lots ot walking to x-ray and up and down stairs- pooped and a bit sore- but ok. Allowed to sleep on my side with cushion between legs - just canno sleep on my back. Night night - bonne nuit.

janeainsworth Tue 06-Mar-18 15:41:44

All the best for a good recovery jura.

I agree with iam and others who recommend exercise to strengthen the supporting muscles and ligaments.
I’ve certainly felt the benefit of doing Pilates.

jura2 Tue 06-Mar-18 11:57:48

all went well - back in the room - pheew.

jura2 Mon 05-Mar-18 10:21:03

Thanks all. Pamela- I take both turmeric capsules AND most importantly, the turmeric extract - Curcumin from Holland and Barret.

Lazigirl Mon 05-Mar-18 09:50:24

Good luck jura, soon be on road to recovery.

merlotgran Mon 05-Mar-18 09:40:53

Good luck, jura. Hope it all goes well.

PamelaJ1 Mon 05-Mar-18 09:38:20

Jura 2, I take turmeric mixed with yogurt and black pepper.
I’ve just missed 4 days and am can feel my fingers in the morning. Could be all in the mind but I’m convinced .
I have been led to believe, mainly by Michael Mosley that the supplements don’t give you the same benefits. Have you heard differently.

jura2 Mon 05-Mar-18 09:30:56

Feeling a tad nervous- off to the Clinic this afternoon for op first thing tomorrow. So hope this second one will be so much easier, as it has not got 47 years of severe damage and atrophy.

jura2 Thu 22-Feb-18 18:01:06

goldengirl- I had no choice- I have been 'bone on bone' for so long, with a knee permanently bent - and the surgeon said it would soon fuse.

silverlining48 Thu 22-Feb-18 18:00:40

Since starting glucosamine with condroitin, like old meg I have seen an improvement in my knee. However when my husband bought me a different brand the pain returned. Now that i am back using my original ones things are improving again. I really didn’t think they would help but so far, to my surprise, they do.