Arthritis pain

I understand that too many cortisone injections over too short a time can cause deterioration in soft tissue and ligaments and also efficacy wears off. I think I’ll give that a miss because the pain relief seems quite short term.
I didn’t know about the side effects previously.

Just take note of your steroid injections, physio told me you are only supposed to have 3 in a lifetime, not sure about that! They helped me at first, last one I had didn’t do anything so Gp gave me another injection same knee three weeks later.

qwerty do you have an Anti Gravity Treadmill for use at home or do you have to go to a gym?

I have Osteoarthritis in both hips, knees, lower back and spine. Hip replacement nearly seven years ago and the specialist hospital are prepared to operate on the other hip and one knee, on at a time, whenever I'm ready. I'm not yet! It took me a year to walk without crutches or a stick. I still find walking uncomfortable; it doesn't help. But, physio exercises, anything to strength the supporting muscles does, both physically and mentally. Pilates and Aquafit Classes have been my saviour. I do easy Circuits and Stretch Classes too and, occasionally, I use an Anti Gravity Treadmill, that my physio recommends to improve my gait. At least so far I've managed without further surgery. I'm almost paid free. I take paracetamol and use Ibroprofen gel, easier on the stomach
If I have a flare up I resort to Amitriptyline temporarily. So far so good.....

Is it possible 2oaktrees you are mistaking anecdotal evidence, for double blind evidence based controlled trials?

2oaktrees

Farzanah Have you looked up 5kind.co.uk?

Did you not see my quote from their site?

I developed Osteoarthritis in my knees- very early it felt to me,at 54. ( B. Jane Fonda and her high impact aeerobics!) I was eventually put on a waiting list for full replacement knee joints.As time progressed I started to get depressed about the pain,waiting time,trying to work ,run a family home etc.I then thought 'what can I do rather than what I can't do?'I went to a physio course offered by our GP surgery,went back to pilates,took up tai chi.I followed the advice on what is now Versus Arthritis.I took paracetemol before playing badminton ( which I loved and still do) or going for a planned walk and then a couple of hours after.A South African consultant told me to manage the pain that way with paracetamol rather than take it all the time.A physio recommended Pernaton ( where DO all the little green lipped mussels come from to make it?!) That helped more than anything pain wise.I managed by sitting down at work where I could,and at home working for 30 mins and then resting for 10 mins. I continued playing badminton as I enjoyed it and felt it worth the pain. Eventually, pre lockdown I had both knees replaced ,at age 63,18 months apart. That's the only thing that really did get rid of the pain! I still have it in each finger and thumb,and my neck.I think it's creeping into my hips now I am over 70.I try and focus on exercise and try to ignore pain, but resting when I need to. I hurt my back quite badly 3 years ago, and a similar regime has helped, but I have also tried an osteopath,sports masseur,chinese medicine.All helped in some way,the chinese medicine most of all, that was via cupping and massage. However I didn't go to them for Arthritis pain,this was torn ligaments.
I do have every sympathy for the OP, I found the pain in my knees pre ops frustrating,upsetting,depressing and debilitating.It was the thinking I was doing something that helped me as much as anything, but didn't get rid of the pain of course.Do try Pernaton ( and I am going to try the udder cream as well, thanks for that tip too)

I have Rheumatoid and Psoriasis Arthritis and I find Aqua Aerobics and joint pain classes help me. Rheumatologist told me excercise is the best thing you can do.
I also take Paracetomol and the very occasional codeine

For Mt61 -- cannot exercise as the knees take too much strain and hurt so much -- look out for some local exercise groups for the more 'mature' customers, with the option of chair-based exercise. We have a local class at the village hall, attendance has rocketed up after a few weeks as word has got round.

For ExDancer, yes, it is a conundrum that exercise is recommended, when the joints are so painful?! But letting the muscles round those joints fade away won't help?

For ANYONE with spine issues, or joint pain, do consider a good chiropractor (seek local recommendations). It's so easy with advancing years to have misaligned vertebrae, and/or joints, and you can get used to it and not notice the problem. A decent chiropractor can spot problems in seconds.

A few years ago my chiropractor asked if I would trial Rose Hip tablets for six months as a Danish university were conducting research into the effects it had on both Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis with favourable results.
l had to buy them myself and was sceptical at first but after the first week my joints felt easier and not so stiff. I took them for two years and the benefits were very good.. I stopped taking them when I was prescribed Hydroxychloroquine as my consultant wasn’t happy for me to continue with them, he didn’t give a reason but wasn’t into alternative treatment!
I’m now thinking of taking them again as my hands and shoulders are painful.. anything is worth a try to help with pain relief .

travelsafar

I am in constant pain like many other people and I know that exercise is recommended, if you have arthritis in spine hips and knees, do you find exercise helps. I try to walk for three days week and do seated exercise 2 times a week. I honestly find it makes no difference. I admit I only take paracetamol as opids have totally messed up my digestive system. Meds I take for heart and nerve pain can cause constipation but I have to take those. Some days I despair of what will happen to me as I get older.😒

I feel your pain. Travelsafar , At this moment in time I am suffering with both my knees & feet 😢 In January I had my 3rd steroid injection in my left knee , that has now well & truly worn off . I am not sure that I want a replacement knee , I just want no pain &to be able to walk my fur babies . Those months without flare ups was wonderful but it didn’t last & this week has been the worst I have known .
Medication upsets my stomach & I really try only to take anti inflammatory tabs as a last resort especially if I know I will be out & about for hours . Today however after 4 days of the worst pain ever , I drove home 80 odd miles & then took my GD clothes shopping , a treat at anytime , but I was that person looking for the closest available seat in every shop & getting told off by a teenage assistant in H&M for sitting on one of their sofas 😂
It have had physio via bothNHS & paid privately & those steroid injections were 10years plus ago . I do have private medical care so may try that . Also rejoining a gym for swimming .
The joys of our bodies aging

I have arthritis in both knees, right knee was so bad 5 yrs ago, locking up, I just wanted to end my life. I’ve had 9 injections in each knee, I think the injections have made them worse they no longer work. Been offered a left knee replacement (well actually was asked, do I want a partial or full replacement knee), thought that was rather up to the Surgeon. The right knee which was the one giving me grief is just as bad again. Knee appointment had been cancelled for the third time, that is just to get on the list. I could do with applying for a blue badge but just too embarrassed to apply. I am on co-codamol, volterol suppositories, take when the pain becomes unbearable but because both knees are bone on bone, the drugs just don’t do anything for the pain. I totally can’t exercise, because I can’t put any weight through my legs for long😩

One of the reasons why I’m trying to declutter my house is that I know my arthritis is only going to get worse and I need to make my house and garden more manageable.

I’ve arthritis in both my hips, knees, hands and spine. Prior to having my right hip replaced as it was showing signs of extreme wear, I tried every pain killer allowed by nhs, none really worked. I tried to exercise every day, which helped keep what little mobility I had going. My consultant told me there wasn’t any effective painkillers for bone on bone pain. I waiting to have left hip done. The consultant has also mentioned some treatment on my hands.

Farzanah Have you looked up 5kind.co.uk?

My philosophy - try ANYTHING.
You are probably right tictanana. I am rather hung up on evidence based medicine because I think those suffering from chronic pain can be ripped off by claims for ineffective expensive alternative treatments that don’t work.

However chronic pain is terrible and can drive you to “try anything” if there’s a chance it’ll work.
If alternative therapies are effective for an individual, then they do work. There can also be a strong placebo effect. (I don’t mean you tictanana your treatments were fairly main stream)

I have had arthritis since childhood. I gave, in the past, found acupuncture helpful for severe episodes . My NHS physiotherapist was a practitioner and I had this twice a week until my hip replacement and could even do it myself at one stage with a set of needles that he gave me. I also had a TENS machine which was helpful and I could use it at work. My philosophy- try ANYTHING . Good luck!

pascal30

If acupuncture wasn't so expensive I would recommend that. I don't know if you have any accupuncture clinics nearby that might do reduced prices...

Some sports Massage Therapist are qualified in Acupuncture treatment.
My therapist is exceptionally good and his treatment compliments my physiotherapy exercises. Naturally, I have to pay for the Sports massage treatment but it is far less than private medical treatment - my surgery was done on the NHS though.

Put some Deep Relief ibuprofen and levomenthol on my knee today and it really helped. I bought it ages ago but it has a cooling effect and it kept me awake because I felt so cold so I didn’t use it again. The problem with knee or hip pain is that I end up with back pain as well because it makes me so tense.

If you want a joint replacement on the NHS you should look at the NICE guidelines and make sure you are eligible by going along the pathway recommended. This is what it looks like:

Making a referral Any referral to the Trauma and Orthopaedic department should include:  Medical history.  Detail of failed attempts at conservative treatment to date.  Detail of pain or functional disability and impact on quality of life.  Confirmation that the patient would be happy to have their joint replaced if deemed necessary.  Knees - weight bearing X-ray within 6 months (standing AP, lateral and skyline).  Hips – non-weight bearing X-ray within 6 months (AP pelvis).  Where appropriate, documentation should also be provided to indicate:  Advice and guidance in relation to weight loss (patients with BMI>30, abdominal girth>4cm over chest).  Information and support for smoking cessation provided if required.  Recommendation of achieving minimum aerobic exercise of 150 minutes per week.

The most important bit for someone wanting a Total Knee Replacement is the 'Failed attempts at conservative treatment to date' so do not turn down physio therapy. I am about to have a knee replacement next week on the NHS. 20 years ago I noticed the first twinge in my left leg, when it got worse I used paracetamol and went to the GP and asked what he recommended i.e Physio. Over the next 10 years I had six sessions each year trying something different in physio. During this time I asked the GP to refer me for and X Ray it came back as moderate arthritic loss etc. but that it when it got painful it would require treatment etc.

5 years ago I started on my final physiotherapy journey and after a few more hurdles I am accepted especially as I now brought in my quality of life arguments. During this time my leg has become bowed and although the knee has 110 deg flexion the consultant wants to do my leg before it is too deformed. He does not mind that I am not at the maximum pain threshold on the Oxford Scale. The pending deformity and lack of quality of life is more important.

Good avoiding painkillers when can. Could look at Cbd I've. Used Cbd in a balm for wrists about to try Cbd drops. I feel it will bring down tension and anx moreso which revs up discomfort for me anyway
Buying from Health Shop not H&B. If fancy it ask for customers comments at the counter. Best wishes

Physio based Pilates classes will do wonders for you. As will some individual physio if you can. You will build up muscles round the joints .

I know what you are going through I also have arthritis Psa and osa and osteoporosis if I walk too much I can’t walk the following few days.what drs read in books don’t work in reality but they don’t live with it so they can’t understand what we are going through like we can. Like most ppl have good days and bad. I’ve got a leg master I sit on my chair and use it. Some days I can stand on it but you only do couple minutes a day and I walk with my grandson so I do more than I need and stuffer afterwards lol

Farzanah. Perhaps it's because GP's don't get paid to push it?
I have an old jar and it still works despite having a 6 month limit.

MSK = musculoskeletal