Knees starting to be a problem - advice?

Speak to your GP, ask for an X-ray and you may be able to self-refer to the physiotherapy department.

I'd suggest going soon because, if you do need a replacement(s) the waiting lists are very long.

I have had problems with my knees for some years. I take glucosamine which is said to help with arthritis. I do gentle strengthening exercises daily.
Gentle squats, stand holding on to something and then squat slightly as if you are going to sit down, and then straighten up. I have 2 kilo weights which I strap on my ankles and straighten my legs while seated, also something called a glutes bridge, laying down with knees bent and raising your bottom, just for a second or two and then lowering ( though it's not always easy to get up of the floor after). I do 15 repeats for each exercise. These exercises were recommended by a physiotherapist.

also something called a glutes bridge, laying down with knees bent and raising your bottom, just for a second or two and then lowering ( though it's not always easy to get up of the floor after)
You could do that on a firm bed if you have trouble getting up off the floor.

NICE recommends capsaicin cream for knee arthritis. Has anyone tried this?

AmeiliaLW, I’ve been prescribed Capsaicin cream for my knee osteoarthritis. I think it does help. I’m also on numerous painkillers, too, while I wait for my orthopaedic consultation. Unfortunately, physio exercises are too painful to do just now. 6 month waiting list for consultation.

Buy a Revitive Medic Knee asap and use it twice a day for 45 minutes. I cant recommend it highly enough!! Worth every penny!

This may not be your problem, but I always know if I have put on weight even without looking at the scales, because my knees start to play up

I agree with every word Calistemon has said. I had both knees replaced, in 2012 and 2018 and I am no longer in pain. I cannot walk far but age is not on my side either!

What you should do is ask friends, if any have had knee replacements, which surgeon carried out the surgery. I had a name for my GP because I wanted to have some input and I discovered the fellow I had chosen had an excellent record.

Definitely request an x-ray, find out what’s going on in there. The NHS system grinds slowly. It took me 4 years to get to a surgeon who then asked why I hadn’t seen him earlier. A TKR later and my right knee is pain free, bends and straightens and I can still kneel down on a soft surface.

My left knee is beginning to offer some pain. Once Mr C has had the surgery he’s waiting for I’ll begin the process again.

Capsaicin cream was prescribed with the warning it doesn’t help everyone. Sadly it didn’t help me while it has really helped a neighbour. Best to speak to your GP asap and get a proper assessment.

The knee prof I saw after my dogs spooked and tripped me up, causing a tear in the knee told me to walk as much as possible. Walking was painful and I worried I was making it worse. Prof knee said knee joints are made to keep moving, the seize up if not used. For what it’s worth, mine settled down. I have inflammatory and osteo arthritis- I’m still walking

If you can find a Pilates class it will help enormously.

There comes a time when all the exercising and pain relief aids in the world can't replace eroded cartilage and replacement is the only way to be be pain free. Don't put it off. Get on the waiting list asap. Don't be fobbed off. Get your name on that list.

I’ve had problems with my knees for many years. Sometimes one of them is really bad ( I struggled to walk for months years ago). I have a leaflet that a physio gave me years ago that I do and I regret it when I go through periods of not bothering. They’re such small movements you wouldn’t think they were doing any good but they do. I also, pre pandemic, used to go to the gym and use the weights that strengthened my knees. And when my knee was really bad I saw a chiropractor/osteopath and he was great ( I wish I could afford to see one all the time). And I take turmeric.

I agree replacement may well be necessary but truly, Revotive Medic Knee makes a massive difference whilst waiting.

My friend is 77 and is very fit - she teaches Yoga and Pilates. However she is now having a lot of trouble with one knee. Her GP has told her that replacements are not being done until you can't walk because the operation isn't very successful! This sounds ludicrous to us - I had both my knees replaced 17 years ago and it was a total success. Best thing I've ever done. It looks as if they are trying to put people off from even asking.

It’s two years and seven months since GP said me knee was bone on bone and needed replacing. I have yet to see an orthopaedic surgeon. The hospital emailed last week to ask if I still want an appointment. 😡

My not me!

Madgran77, I have the Revitive Medic Knee machine. I must give it another chance to work. This is where the smaller pads are placed in strategic positions on the knee?

Aveline

There comes a time when all the exercising and pain relief aids in the world can't replace eroded cartilage and replacement is the only way to be be pain free. Don't put it off. Get on the waiting list asap. Don't be fobbed off. Get your name on that list.

Well said, Aveline

NHS waiting lists can be as long as 4-5 years depending on where you are. That is, of course, if they bother to put your name on the list when they say they have.

Are there any suggestions of how to cope ith the pain if you cannot have the TKR ?

Other severe health problems are making me not able to have th replacements I need.

I am in a panic not knowing what to do. GP's are useless and have no suggestions. I am in terrible pain.

You could have cortisone injections for medium-term relief but there is a strict limit on how many you are able to have.

The Consultant told me, however, that they can be counter-productive and refused to give me a second one.

At the stage you describe, I'd try gentle exercise first to keep them mobile. before assuming you need new knees.

Check this out - view before trying (I'm a yoga teacher and have quite a lot of body pains but manage them)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax1Rs90Gcik

But dont try - if you know they are not on, stop if you experienced pain beyond light

Never squat too long you'll get "locked".

An X ray would b useful to find out if its some kind of bad wear and tear that indicates replacement
..... or osteoarthritis which can be managed until it gets severe

Tumeric helps me, you need high dose like www.lambertshealthcare.co.uk/herbs/turmeric/turmeric-20-000mg/ (amazon does it) A very small % of people who take turmeric find they get anaemic, but it also helps many.

I massage in herbalists Arnica plus most nights, or after exercise, which works much deeper than the standard arnica in tubes that is just really for bruises... Like a nice deep heat feeing.

I've never tried the Revotive Medic Knee - sounds interesting.

Look at the Versus Arthritis website, sorry I haven’t mastered putting in links yet. Lots of useful advice and exercises. I have arthritis in my feet, ankles, knees, hips and spine and am finding that there Lets Move with Leon exercise programme is helping. If you take a painkiller like paracetamol take it regularly 4 times a day, don’t wait for the knee to get painful. I have a garden kneeler with handles which makes getting up and down much easier. As somebody upthread said check your weight, I find just a few pounds makes a big difference.

A friend who used to have painful knees now takes turmeric capsules and is pain free.