Arthritic knee causing pain in shin…

Old original post, I wonder what happened MayBee70?

I doubt any of us can get away with OA. A definite sign of aging. I will manage with anti-inflammatories for my very bad right knee. I’ve heard awful stories about knee replacements. They are not as successful as hip replacements.

When I had knee pain and the doctor was talking wear &tear and arthritis I had a brilliant physio who said he thought it wasn't my knee but the muscle at the top of my calf which I had torn a bit. (It had come on quite suddenly) He gave me exercises to do and they worked.

Calistemon

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 ......

I think this is a possibility. Unless I wear supportive footwear it brings on my sciatica.

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Im another fan of TENS machines. You can now get the wifi ones that you can walk around wearing so long as you are in one place. Ive had an arthritic knee for years. I also found that cortisone injections helped which I had at the local surgery. However have obviously not had any for two years and with doctors still "hiding" I dont know when they will resume.

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Nannarose, yes, I think non weight-bearing exercise is good to keep the muscles toned - but lots of walking on damaged joints won't help. My brother sticks to an anti-inflammatory diet, and swears by it, so that could be worth a try while waiting for an operation.

I think you’ll find that waiting times are not as bad as you fear. If there are long waits in your area then isn’t it better to get on a waiting list soon? If you have osteoarthritis in your knee nothing will make it better, it will only get worse and the sooner you get your knee replacement the better your recovery will be. I’ve recently had a hip replacement. I waited only 22 weeks from seeing the consultant to having the surgery. Funds have been made available to bring down the waiting lists and private hospitals are taking NHS patients for elective surgery. In the last few months I was on four daily doses of paracetamol and codeine for the pain at night. Best wishes.

MayBee - walking in the countryside was one of my top pleasures as well, and I have had to curtail it greatly (I'd add that I suspect steep hills / cliffs are the worst)

I will share what I do to stay positive, as it may help:
I do water-based exercises about 3 x a week, which do me a lot of good and help to keep the pain under control. I also do pilates at home, using a board & yoga-mat on the spare bed to save me getting on the floor! This all keeps my muscles working.
I go out for a walk of about 1-2 miles when I am not in too much pain. I use nordic poles, and I mostly go out in company. This does me no good physically, but helps mentally.
Sometimes we go to a country park and I hire a scooter so DH can walk alongside me and we can go further.
I look at a beautiful picture DH took of me & the children on top of a mountain, and I think 'I am so lucky to have done that in my life'.

I have known a few people who have 'refused to give up' and kept walking through a lot of pain - their decision of course, but it has, I think, hastened their physical (and therefore eventually mental) decline. So I think finding a regime that suits you is important.
I hold you in my thoughts.

I’ve reduced my walking for a couple of days. Less walking and there’s no pain at all when I’m resting. Going to keep a leg diary for a while before I speak to my doctor. A few months ago I was worried that it was more of a circulation problem but I don’t think it is. I’ve got my bag of peas in the freezer duly labelled ‘do not eat: leg use only’!

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PM Sent MayBee70.

maybee the MSK route would be a good one. Referral here is via a GP. After a longish wait for an appointment I was immediately referred to a surgeon who was clear a new knee was overdue Accomplished 10 weeks ago I am now pain free, quality of life is so much better. Worth considering for sure.

MayBee70 you have my sympathy. Have had lots of joint problems over the years but recently my knees, hip and feet got much worse. Contacted the surgery and got a call back from a physio who took a detailed history and emailed me a set of exercises. Did them religiously and have seen a great improvement. Also recommended a pedal exerciser to give my knees non weight bearing exercise. Hope you get help soon and have a similar outcome.

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.

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).

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!

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.

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 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..

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

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?

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.

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. ?