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Question for people here with Arthritis

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 12/18/2010 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
First a little history:

I was asked about a month ago by a Orthro if I had any trouble with my left knee. I had forgotten that during my PT it used to pop and snap during the exercises and told him no. He told me I had some signs of arthritis developing in it, but since I've had no issues he wasn't going to worry about right now.

Also my PT kept asking me how long had I had problems with my knees I told her I didn't have problems with them.

I had never really given it any thought before, but I got to thinking about things since then.

1. I've found I avoid kneeling down on my knees. It's too painful.

2. When I climb stairs I climb one step at a time using my right leg to step up and my left knee to step down one at a time (not bending it the whole time).

3. On rainy days I've had dull aches, but never severe pains.

4. In the evenings I seem to have a general weakness in my thighs. The muscles tend to tremble like I've been running a marathon.

5. Since the Orthro examed my knee (he did an odd pulling on it while it was bent) I've had more of a dull ache going on every day. Do you think he irritated it?

I'd like to ask the people here who suffer from arthritis does any of this seem familiar? I'm scared of developing RA.

Posted 12/18/2010 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Joy, I doubt he irritated it, but what I would do is either make an appt if you don't already have one scheduled and tell him just what you wrote above. Most people develop osteoarthritis in the knees as they age, it is very common to happen with the knees. I have it in both knees, have had many surgeries on my knees, but they were not for arthritis, they were due to injuries. My next step will be replacements for both, there is nothing more that can be done for my knees. Lots of times they can inject this stuff in your knees if the osteoarthritis is bad enough and it helps a lot of people. Some drs use Synvisc or others will use Supaartz. My ortho preferred Supaartz over the Synvisc he says it was better. It did help my knees some. Also, they can do a steroid injection into the knee, had those done too.

What you have described is typical osteoarthritis type symptoms not RA. RA is a whole different ballgame with totally different symptoms. Take care.
Posted 12/18/2010 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
I've heard never let a doctor inject steroids into a joint, because it can cause more harm than good.
Is Synvisc that liquid subsitute for synovial fluid? I've been reading about it.
I'm suppose to see an orthro about a follow up on a MRI I had on my shoulder in a couple of weeks. The first orthro I saw about my knee is supposed to have sent him my xrays on my knee and shoulder. I'll tell him about the issues I've been having.

Thank you.
Posted 12/18/2010 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Couchtater,

I have osteoarthritis in both knees. They have progressively gotten worse. I have had seven rounds of Synvisc. I haven't had any steroid injections in my knees...yet. I have had steroid injections in my hip and shoulder, and they work well, for a while.

I need TKR in both knees. I'm trying to put it off for a few years. Some doctors suggest arthroscopic surgery to "clean up" the arthritis. My ortho is heistant to do that. He said that since I have so much arthritis in my knees, the arthroscopic surgery may just "stir" it up and make it worse.

Lately I hear and feel a crunching sound when I walk up the stairs. Hmmmmmm. That doesn't sound too good, does it? One day at a time.

Wishing you well,
V
Posted 12/19/2010 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Joy, I have had several joint injections in my knees and right shoulder and it did not cause any harm, not sure who told you this. The purpose of the steroid is to get the inflammation down and it does. It is a long the same lines of us folks having injections in our necks and backs. Synvisc is to help put a little cushion back in that the arthritis eats away. It took awhile before I could tell whether the Supaartz injections really helped but after awhile I could really tell a difference. I had both knees done after the last round of surgery on both knees in the fall of 2004. You can do a google search to read about it and the Supaartz. The Mayo Clinic also has good info to read about osteoarthritis, really informative.

Good luck on your dr visit.
Posted 12/19/2010 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
I've had a steroid injection in the knee and it did help, but it's worn off and my knee is hurting again.
I would suggest going to your pcp (primary cared physician) first as about getting the bloodwork for
RA and then go from there, sometimes RA will show up on the bloodwork, so that'd be
a starting point before second guessing yourself...from there you could get a referral to a rheumy to do mri's
as RA will show up on MRI's...but for bloodwork it's not always showing up on bloodwork. but that is the start point
even for a rheumy, so get that checked out first....and get a copy of the results so you can hand carry
those to the rheumy...one question from me to you, are you sore and stiff in the mornings???
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Joy))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Healing Hugz
Posted 12/19/2010 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Only in my back when I lay down past 7:30am. I'm usually up for work by 5:45am during the week. I try to sleep later on weekends.

When I touch my knee there's an ache just under the cap. Right now it's feeling like a dull ache is going through it and it's propped up fully supported with nothing touching it. When I bend it, the pain intensifies to around a 4.
I guess I need an ice bag right now. I wonder if it's okay to rub some voltarin gel on it? I've hadn't needed to rub any on my foot since I started wearing my night splint when I'm resting. I did see on the directions it can be used on knees for arthritis.
I'll just take a tylenol.
Thank you, guys.
Posted 12/19/2010 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Quick question...
Do any of you use support braces for your knees? When did you start using them?
Posted 12/19/2010 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
I use support braces for both knees whenever I am going to be walking up hills or stairs a lot. The do seem to help.

I started using the braces about seven years ago off and on. I use them a lot more now.

V
Posted 12/19/2010 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I will wear a brace on occasion and it sometimes helps, but lately it hurts to
wear even the brace. and yes I use the voltarin every other night and sparingly.
Hope your feeling better soon.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Joy)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
healing Hugz
Posted 12/19/2010 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Are your braces the kind with the hinges on the sides or soft wraps? I have a soft wrap from an old injury years ago.
Posted 12/20/2010 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
I have a big Mueller which is soft but has hard metal strips and then I
have a smaller soft knee brace, try going to a compounding pharmacy and
asking which ones help...then maybe a google search..or vise versa...
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