Knees

well we've had a thumbs one so why not a knees one

I've been hobbling about like a three legged goat for about a month now and thought my youth had finally jigged me, but my ex-rugger bruv has been there and done that so here's some hope

If you start getting cartilage failure it can start getting impossible to straighten your leg and even a support is virtually useless

The pain for me was the inside leg, the big leg bone next to the kneecap

So you sit with your legs dangling, like a 5 year old in Alice in Wonderland, off the end of a table, I used a black and decker workmate type thing from Lidl

and you simply swing your leg back and forwards like a 5 year old would

The no load scenarion means This moves some lubrication from the good bit to the bad bit and helps it to heal, and it works, after 2 days I'm miles better

I do 10 mins at a time, 4-6 times a day, it's a physio technique for knee injuries

I have had fluid replacement a couple of times. First time they sucked out the old stuff and replaced it with new (2 sessions). and the second time about 3 years later was a single injection of fluid (Without removing the old stuff).

Generally works about a month after the injection for 3 years or so.

Squeak Squeak!

I have had knee trouble for years including two ops to trim the cartilage - and now I am not as slim and beautiful as I was it was becoming a problem.

Started taking a turmeric supplement and while it took a while to have full effect it has transformed things - no pain or clicking!

Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 29/01/2021 20:40:54

My right knee does give me some issues every now and then, but it (and the rest of the leg) is made by Otto Bock and it can go back under warranty....

If you ever want to see a mesmerising bit of engineering in action have a look at the parallelagram action of the Otto Bock 3R60 prosthetic knee. It uses a solid poly spring to slightly collapse the mechanism as my walking goes "over-centre" which levels out my gait just as we do naturally. Fantastic yet simple bit of design.

I've also heard magical things about Turmeric. I really must get hold of some as when I add large quantities to curries the family complain.

I occasionally get joint problems. The usual cure is to junk the statins for a while. Initially my doctor said she was aware of muscle problems with statins but not with joints. It works for me. There are some who cannot tolerate statins - I know of one such lady - she stops functioning if put on statins, but the docs still try to prescribe them (her cholesterol is through the roof!).

My cholesterol is low at the worst of times so leaving off the minimum statin dose for a month is better than suffering with my joints.

Be warned.

Medicines that have turmeric contraindications include anticoagulants, antiplatelets, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). If you take any drugs of these types or if you are unsure, talk to your doctor.

I take an anticoagulant to ward of embolisms (one session of a triple PE was enough for me), so Turmeric is not an option.

A friend was suffering from painful joints, and his doctor asked if he drank Earl Grey tea. He did, so was advised to stop completely and within a week or two, his pains had cleared up. Presumably the bergamot oil in the tea was causing problems, which is odd as it is generally supposed to ease joint pains. I guess everyone's different, but that doctor must have known something.

Rob

I had to have one of my knees fused a few years ago.

I t makes life difficult, but at least its pain free now!

Jim

.

Nicely labelled radiograph of the original design ^^^

MichaelG.

Movement of the knee joint is more then just a simple hinge - there's a sliding component as well as the patella sliding in the trochlear groove to add more interest, Never forgetting the semicircular cartilage cushions and the cruciate ligaments within the joint.

That complexity simply adds to the many differences in types of knee problems and best way to deal with them. Often you can't figure out the exact cause just by x-ray. MRI or arthroscopy may be needed.

(or in my past life - cut it open and have a look)

pgk

Edited By pgk pgk on 30/01/2021 09:50:55

Thanks for the tip Ady. Wife has the knees curse and she is going to try your Alice in Wonderland treatment.

Rik

The long term issue for me is the knuckle on the bone is swollen, something I've had before and it can take a couple of months to go down properly

My brother also mentioned anti inflammitaries can help but they bother my stomach so I try to avoid

GL

Edited By Ady1 on 30/01/2021 14:13:21

I have both knee joints replaced by cobalt chrome and it has been a great success. The left knee was first to be replaced with a full joint and the patella was lined as well, 2 1/2 years ago. The right knee is a partial on the inside half, one year ago. The left knee can bend to 118 degrees and the right to 130 degrees. The lower legs from the knee to the ankle suffer from dermatitus from time to time which is a side affect which affects some people. It is a small price to pay for greatly increased mobility and being able to walk without constant pain. I was in hospital three nights for the first and two nights for the second. I had a small MRSA infection in the left knee at a stitch site which was closely monitored and thankfully cleared up without any intervention, and the right knee healed perfectly. I would not be able to walk by now if I hadn't had the operations. I was driving after 5 weeks and 3 weeks after each op.

Having my CO19 jab Wednesday, I'm very pleased to say.

Edited By old mart on 30/01/2021 15:10:09

Are you chaps with knee problems sportsmen or ex sportsmen? There seems to be a correlation between footballers and runners and knee trouble. A casual survey of friends with knee trouble tends to hint at a link. The trick must be to find a healthy exercise that keeps us fit without damage or premature wear.

Mike

Did loads until my mid 40s

Thanks for the heads-up - I'm on rivaroxaban anticoag, and I've been taking turmeric with apparent good effect on my dodgy knee for several months and had heard nothing of this.

Regarding turmeric/rivaroxaban interactions, many internet articles declare effectively 'No interactions found, but some may nevertheless exist'. There are a few comments about 'minor' interactions, but nothing substantial within layman's understanding.

I'll be reading a bit further on that. But for the time being I'll carry on with both.

Mine are better climbing up stairs rather thyan going down. Obviously shock loading bis not welcome.

If only I could drill and tap, fit grease nipples and give couple of shots of Castrol LM!

Howard

Statins give Me the itchies. Poison Ivy I can tolerate the itching very well, but statins even make My hair itch. I wiggle around like a 4 year old in school. Everything itches.

Cycling might be a good sport to save your knees. But cycling on public roads could be a bit dangerous. And I know: cycling in The Netherlands is more convenient than in Great Britain. At least, you can exercise on a home trainer, which is not bad at all.

Edited By Jouke van der Veen on 30/01/2021 19:46:03

Further to the Earl Grey story, Howard's mention of going down stairs being more difficult reminds me that I once went on a hill walk with a group of friends and found it so painful walking downhill forwards, I had to walk backwards for half a mile or so. It was a few weeks later that I suddenly found I was getting the same pain going down stairs. I narrowed the cause down to Lucozade Sport drink - I'd had it on the walk, and again on the day I had stair issues. So not drunk it since and never had the same problem again. Maybe some acidic component or something that irritated some part of my knees - both knees equally - but it just goes to show that food and drink can have unexpected effects.

Rob