Arthritic knee causing pain in shin…

Sorry to hear you're in growing discomfort over your knee.
I have a friend who has had a knee replacement but it hasn't settled since 3 years now. The conventional follow ups have given her no relief. Good on you for considering the CBD oil. As with all natural products it works individually so try it and see.

I really want to do everything I can to avoid a replacement.

I think you need to see your GP and get it checked out, it might be something unrelated to your knee.

Could it be sciatica? I have the same.

If your knees are painful it can make you walk differently and could result in sciatica which can cause pain down the shin. You may need an X-ray to find out what is going on.
I agree, go to see your GP (if you can get an appointment), they may recommend you for physiotherapy and further investigations, although I don't know how long the wait is where you are.
I'm still waiting ......

Yes! Sometimes you walk slightly oddly when you have knee problems that can lead to pain in the joints and nerves of the lower leg and even your hip or back.

Sometimes you can get inflammation of the patella tendon that connects to the top of your shin.

Sometimes you can get inflammation of the patella tendon that connects to the top of your shin.

Interesting! No-one has mentioned that before.

I find an electric heat pad helps, as does ibuprofen gel (not together, though). If it's really bad, I wear a Tens machine. I still walk a lot. The pain in my leg and knee is from disk problems in my back, nothing wrong with the knee itself.

It's Catch 22, isn't it.
Walking helps (probably)
Walking hurts.

I had a private MRI to find out the cause, then saw an NHS consultant. Just wear and tear (just???) so no operation needed, but I can have steroid jabs if I want.

I had my knee x rated years ago and my doctor said, blimey, whose knee is that. It was that bad then! It gets worse when I do more walking. I had a few weeks recently where someone else was walking the dog and the pain went away. I haven’t walked anywhere today as the weather is awful so I’ll see if it hurts tonight. I don’t think doctors know much about knees and joints to be honest. I may see an osteopath I used years ago: he was the one that got me walking again.I don’t really want to go anywhere while the infection rate is so high. And I must keep a diary for a while. It’s the shin pain that confuses me. I know several people that have had knee replacements recently and I wasn’t aware of any of them having knees worse than mine. It’s frustrating that I stopped going to the gym because of covid because I was using machines to strengthen my muscles.

Calistemon

^Sometimes you can get inflammation of the patella tendon that connects to the top of your shin.^

Interesting! No-one has mentioned that before.

Whenever I Google pain in shin bones it comes up with that.

MayBee70 - I love your ‘x rated’ knee…wish I had one of those. ? I’m in one of those silly moods ?

I need both knee and hip replacement. I too get shin pain told its all part of the painful package.
Also ankle plays up.

Orthopaedics appointment pre op this week.
Can't wait to get sorted. Already had one hip done so I know what I'm letting myself into.

crazyH

MayBee70 - I love your ‘x rated’ knee…wish I had one of those. ? I’m in one of those silly moods ?

Predictive text strikes again. And yet, for once, seems very suitable!

I had osteo arthritis in my knee for years and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last year after developing symptoms very similar to those you describe. Might be worth a visit to your GP and suggest a referral to rheumatology for investigation, as the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is different and needs to be started early to minimise damage to the joints. Hope you get it sorted soon. ?

MayBee70

Calistemon

Sometimes you can get inflammation of the patella tendon that connects to the top of your shin.

Interesting! No-one has mentioned that before.

Whenever I Google pain in shin bones it comes up with that.

Thanks Maybee

Well - the GP knows, but perhaps I'll have to suggest that somehow

I have had tendonitis elsewhere a while ago.

MayBee70 you have my sympathy, osteoarthritis is such a debilitating condition and poorly understood. I'm putting off knee and hip replacement for now. What you have sounds like referred pain from your knee joint down your shin. And as your gait alters to accommodate the pain, other joints will be affected, in turn causing pain. Have you had X rays recently? Your GP might want to arrange this for you to rule out anything else going on. In our city we have a multidisciplinary Musculo-Skeletal Team (MSK) who are extremely helpful in sorting out the most appropriate therapies to improve your quality of life. Perhaps see if there is something similar in your area?

I do wonder if I’d be in better shape now if I’d been more of a couch potato throughout my life!

I said to DH today that I don't know what is best - rest or exercise.
I've self-referred to the physiotherapy service, apparently that is how it's done now..

There is a MSK unit that I can get to easily. I’ll ask my doctor. I didn’t really want to be referred to a hospital but it’s where I’ve been for a well person check.

I agree that you should see a physiotherapist / MSK team. You can ask your GP's surgery (no need to contact the GP unless they say so) to ask how such referrals work in your area. Here, we can self-refer.
The physio / team may be able to give you exercises that can help, and can specifically advise on walking. As it is so individual I think you need to find out, if for instance, walking (nordic) poles might be helpful, or water-based exercises - which may depend on what facilities you have locally.
I wish you luck - I have an exercise regime devised with a physio, which I follow.

I’m sitting here now with shin pain similar to your description. I have OA in my right knee & have been walking at the coast today, hence the deep ache. I’ve applied an anti inflammatory gel to the knee & shin muscle & the ache is subsiding. I accept it as referred pain from my knee.
I’m entirely aufait with knee pain having had a very successful TKR 12 years ago on the opposite knee.
See yr GP for advice, benchmark X-ray etc. Steroid injection?
CBD oil not proven to help anything but might have a placebo affect?
I take Turmeric with black pepper every day. Did stop for a while & really suffered but I’m not sure it helps that much either.
I’m planning to ask for an NHS consultation & referral for a replacement but in view of long lists, might have to go private. I’ve got too much life and coastal walking in me before I resort to couch potatoing!

MayBee70

There is a MSK unit that I can get to easily. I’ll ask my doctor. I didn’t really want to be referred to a hospital but it’s where I’ve been for a well person check.

Yes, ask your GP for a form for MSK referral. I has to fill in a self-referral form online (but I still haven't heard yet).

Same here. I walk the dog in the beach every day but at night do a walk up a steep hill to get a bit of cardiovascular exercise. I was walking on the beach a few months ago and just burst into tears saying, this is my biggest pleasure in life and it’s hurting me. Even worse now that we’re avoiding crowded places and aren’t going to the cinema or theatre any more.I’m sure a couple of weeks on a Greek island would help, too, but that’s out as well! I could hardly walk on that leg 10 or so years ago and was so relieved when it improved dramatically after several months. I think sometimes sleeping in an odd position makes it worse, too (that’s down to the dog!). I’m now going to plaster my knee in voltarol, lie on my Shakti mat and listen to my relaxation tape.