Your questions on joint care and joint pain have been answered by the consultants from Spire Healthcare

I am 70 and I sometimes have a problem with my lower back and I occasional suffer with plantar fasciitis. Also sometimes have one finger that hurts plus shoulder and neck ache. I cannot sit cross-legged on the floor and I have difficulty putting tights or socks on and doing shoelaces up. I sometimes feel very stiff. Now and again my foot gives way and I have a sudden pain in it. Sometimes I get a pain in my leg. The last two things don't happen very often.

I have just started having hip pain which I assumed was ITB pain due to doing 20-40 km a day on my exercise bike. Today my knee has started hurting medially whilst walking, it almost feels like it is in spasm. I am treating both with ibuprofen and icing. Are they likely connected or separate problems? There has been no injury, I assume this is overuse pain.

My shoulder joint(s) have ached since I did some digging a few months ago. What can I do to help it heal?

How effective are steroid injections for arthritis in the knees?

I have pain in my right hip. I started yoga during the first lockdown and it seemed to really help at the outset but after a few months the pain got worse again. I can't believe it was the placebo effect - any other ideas and would yoga normally help?

I have suffered with back pain and leg pain for several years now also have arthritis in my hands. But, i use to be able to walk into town using a stick and taking my time, sitting along the way if possible. Since having Covid end of Dec 20 beginning of Jan 21 i can no longer stand or walk for long periods of time even using a stick. Is it possible that Covid has made condition worse? I have been told i need hip replacement and a currently having physio as waiting list are so long at the moment for this operation. In constant pain and on Codi Par for pain relief. Being assessed soon by social services for grab rails in bathroom and at front and back door as cant step up to get back in very easily. They also said i may need a perching stool for when working in kitchen.

I awaiting replacement shoulder, two replacement knees, Covid-19 has been the cause for me to be so long on the hospital waiting lists. The shoulder replacement to be done first, then it’s strengthening to be able to use crutches/walking sticks after the replacement knees. Fortunately I have a neurostimulator in my abdomen, and Butec 20 patches which I put on alternate arms weekly. These keep failed fusion of three lumber vertebrae copable. . Unfortunately the shoulder pain and knees pains are still very painful. Walking is limited, I have to use a rollator in my flat, and a mobility scooter for use outside. I cannot advise anyone suffering with osteo-arthritis other than to keep Faith and keep positive that there will be better times ahead.

Knees little stiff etc with older age & wondered if any supplements were particularly useful for joint support more than others? Thanks

I am 68 and have a recurring problem with Baker's cysts, no sooner does one clear up than another starts. It happens with both knees. I am assuming this is arthritis, although I havent been told that by a medical professional as it seems well nigh impossible to see a doctor in this part of the world. I generally ignore the cysts and the pain and carry on with walking, cycling and going to the gym. Is this the right approach or should I be resting up? I cycle almost everywhere all the time and am a bit worried I might be setting myself up for knee replacements in the future if I carry on.

I have slipped and landed heavily on my back. The pain is high-up but bruising is low down. I know this can take ages to heal but I wonder if I'm better to exercise gently or to rest it?
Advice welcome!

For the past few months I have had difficulty with my left knee on going upstairs. I am now waiting for an xray but I think it might be arthritis. I know my weight is an issue but I have always been big. I have tried to lose weight but I find it almost impossible to change my habits. Can arthritis heal itself if you are a bigger person who then loses weight.

I have severe arthritis in my knees, officially diagnosed by consultant, I am trying to lose weight but cannot walk, I use a mobility scooter, so I now swim 3 times per week, this still causes knee pain but I take ibuprofen beforehand. I am just worried I am doing more damage by swimming or do the benefits outweigh the pain?

This year when it was cold my hands really ached and I thought it may be arthritis. (I have had arthritis in my knees on and off and as a consequence drive an automatic car.) As aching declined, the thumb ache stayed and one clicked as I moved it. The GP said it was trigger thumb and it may just go. I tried a splint to stop the pain and 4/5 months later am still wearing it and thumb hardly bends at all any more. Not sure what I can do to prevent this happening in other joints or if I should or should not continue wearing a splin?.

cookiemonster66

I have severe arthritis in my knees, officially diagnosed by consultant, I am trying to lose weight but cannot walk, I use a mobility scooter, so I now swim 3 times per week, this still causes knee pain but I take ibuprofen beforehand. I am just worried I am doing more damage by swimming or do the benefits outweigh the pain?

Please make sure you take food with ibuprofen. It’s so difficult trying to lose weight when mobility becomes a problem isn’t it.

It is difficult to lose weight when mobility is a problem. BUT not impossible if you want to. I am proof of that. I have had mobility problems for 33 years due to neurological condition. You have to remember losing weight is a marathon not a sprint. I am happy if I lose quarter of a pound or stay the same each week I decided 4 years ago after being seriously ill with jaundice to finally tackle my weight. Lost over 7st still have just over stone to go to get to my 11st target. Still will be overweight for my height but decades of being fat my skin and some fat will never go flat. Was a 32 now a 16.

If anyone wants to lose weight have a read of pears the sequel thread on dieting and exercise forum. Lovely thread full of help and support.

Started an exercise class yesterday run by the falls prevention department of my local council. It's by GP referral. 12 weeks free then £2.50 a week. Exercises are some sitting, holding on to the back of a chair plus walking I have to use my stick for those. Also using a resist band.

Don't think because you are in pain and limited movement you can't diet or exercise you can just in a different way. Which is different for everyone.

You just have to want to do it. I am 63 .

I have osteoarthritis in my knees and this is hindering my ability for brisk walking which I enjoy. I have tried using gels but no change and am not keen on painkillers. Would welcome any suggestions. Thanks

Friend of mine wears knee braces and uses a walking stick. Both take pressure off her knees. Also wrapping a microwave heat pad gives her some relief. She sleeps with a pillow under her knees and that helps her get a good night's sleep.

I had sciatica about 5 years ago which thankfully went with physio. What should I be doing to ensure this doesn’t come back? Is a condition that reoccurs once you have had it once?

I have had RA for approximately 40 years and after many many drugs were prescribed, Methotrexate offered the greatest relief. However it has had adverse effects on my kidneys and the dosage was reduced a short time ago. Subsequently the arthritis pain rose and currently the original dosage has been restored, with very close monitoring through additional blood tests, it will be reduced again if there are adverse effects on my kidneys.

During the last few months I have developed a pain in the lower section of my upper left arm radiating towards my elbow. I thought that this might relate to the elbow replacement I had 22 years ago, but was told that this was not the case. An X-ray on my arm was clear, and I was prescribed Pregabalin by my GP. The pain comes in periods of up to 3 weeks, but sometimes only for a day or two, and by the time I received the prescription it had stopped, so I kept the tablets ‘for the next episode’. It has come back with avengeance, but when I read the side effects on the leaflet, I saw that it would clash with other medications and health problems that I have, and am reluctant to take it. I have no idea where to seek advice, the GP I spoke to was unable to identify the cause. I would greatly appreciate any advice that could be given as the pain is very similar to arthritic pain. I am currently treating it with heat and ice alternatively and taking Ibuprofen, all of which affords only limited relief. I really don’t know where to go with this,

I have started having pain in my left elbow and pins and needles but it comes and goes. I had a blood test what made my arm feel worse. I do take pain killers but nothing works. Part from that i am falling a part probably old age.

I fell down an open manhole in my garden about 3 months ago. I attended the local walk in centre and they diagnosed the injury as a sprain to my left inner edge of the knee which should be better in about 3 to 6 weeks. I try to keep active but still have quite a lot of pain especially after sitting and it wakes me up at night when I turn over. My kneecap makes a strange clicking noise when I flex it .How long should I expect this pain to go on? Thank you

Though healthy and active for my 72 years, I have a slightly painful right ankle, a bit sore and puffy on the outside of it. Is this arthritis and what could I take to improve it and/or prevent other joints going the same way. I walk and cycle and am not overweight.

I used to experience bad knee pain but for a number of years have drunk a shot of aloe vera drinking get each day and take glucosamine, chondroitin and fish oil supplements. As a result I have become more active and have lost quite a lot of weight too. I attribute most of the improvement to the aloe vera, and then the resulting weight loss for my amazing improvement. I recently went on my first local 'health walk' - something I'd planned to do after my recent retirement. The next day I felt knee pain for the first time in a very long time. Did I overdo it? It was only just over an hour's walk and only a few short stretches of slope so I doubt it. Perhaps I just slept in a funny position as the pain was just after I got up. I'm hoping it was a 'one-off' but any suggestions gratefully received. If turmeric is helpful how should I take it?

I don't think "allow" comes into it nowadays. You can really insist on an ergonomically and posturely correct sitting position with the use of the correct type of chair on health and safety grounds.go for it. I insisted years ago and overcame tough resistance by my director by asking him if he preferred my being comfy and In Work or off work whilst I have them prosecuted for health and safety breach by making me sit in an unsafe broken typist's chair which is what HE thought was ok?

I am 59 and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 13 years ago, 8 years after first going to the GP with unexplained pain.
I have been told that there is nothing the nhs can do for me, the implication being that if I could afford private medicine then there are options. Would you tell me what those options are?