Arthritis

[Feared]

Was just wondering if anyone on here has had any experiences with Arthritis; and how they, or a close one got over it, dealt with it?

I've had a really nagging knee problem that started about 3 months ago. It honestly just popped out of no where. I noticed it at work where I'd have some knee pain when walking up the stairs right next to my Left knee cap on the inside, then one day I noticed I was limping and wanted to sit down.

I've went to 2 doctors since then, the first one pretty much just said I'm fine, just over use and I'd be good to go after a day or two of rest. Well I went back to work, and the knee pain was still there. It's gotten to the point where I am out of work right now, on temporary leave. The second doctor I spoke with said there's a strong possibility I have Arthritis developing in my knee.

This was really a pretty big shock to me, as I am only 24 and never really had any major knee issues before. I honestly thought I had torn my MCL, or meniscus but the second doctor ruled that out by laying me down on a table and doing some movement, motion tests on my left leg.

Just kind of been sitting at home for the past 2 weeks wondering where do I go from here? My pain goes away when I don't put any pressure on the knee but when I start standing on it, for any more than a half an hour that pain comes back. It feels like something is pushing down on my knee also there is a crunching, grinding sensation within that joint when I walk (not always but usually when I walk after I've been sitting down for a while). I've been doing some mobility, range of motion exercises for my hamstrings, and quads, some light cycling. I start Physical therapy tomorrow but I'm not sure if it will help any.

Just kind of wondering How I developed this condition so early in life, and if there's any way to get over this and return to some level of moderate activity. I had my whole life planned ahead of me, was planning to get my own car, go to school within this upcoming year and this was not part of my plans.

[24]

Re: Arthritis

I'm in a semi similar situation as you. The cartilage in my right knee is slowly deteriorating and trust me it can be painful. Your going to want to get a knee brace. It really helps stabilize the knee for physical activity. Ice is also your best friend to keep any swelling/pain down. Physical Therapy will be a big help if done enough. You really gotta stick to it.

[Jr.]

Re: Arthritis

I have some arthritis in my hands and fingers. It never bothered me until I took a warehouse job over the summer and had to move a lot of heavy boxes by hand and with a dolly frequently. I would notice in the morning that it took 20-30 minutes for me to be able to get full range of motion and strength in my fingers. I started taking glucosamine for it and it helped a bit with the stiffness and some pain relief.

[Feared]

Re: Arthritis

I'm in a semi similar situation as you. The cartilage in my right knee is slowly deteriorating and trust me it can be painful. Your going to want to get a knee brace. It really helps stabilize the knee for physical activity. Ice is also your best friend to keep any swelling/pain down. Physical Therapy will be a big help if done enough. You really gotta stick to it.

I'm looking into some knee braces, that are light, not bulky, and not too restrictive. I've had an Ace Bandage on it at work, and I found that doesn't help too much, as it restricts motion and when I loosen it up it slides off. Probably going to need a custom brace that shifts weight bearing towards the healthier side of my knee.

I think having arthritis in the Knee is the worst joint to have it in, as if effects almost all of your activity as those are your major weight bearing joints. I was icing me knee for nearly a week (when I triggered the worst of my pain 3 months back) but the thing with arthritis is you can't see the swelling because it's all joint tissue within the joint that's swelling.

Man I wish there was a viable option for partial cartilage replacement.

[Jr.]

Re: Arthritis

Have you actually gotten a MRI? I know you said a doctor did some basic stability tests and ruled out any major tears, but doctors have been wrong before.

[JODYE]

Re: Arthritis

I broke my ankle in baseball about 10 years ago, and developed arthritis in it over time.

When I wake up in the morning I can't even walk on it. I have to basically warm it up before I get out of bed. One of the first times it happened I literally fell down because I wasn't expecting it and it hurt so damn bad.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Arthritis

All these story's are scary....after my micro fracture, the doctor pretty much guaranteed I would have arthritis in my future....

Not yet. Not looking forward to it....hope things get better for you man...

[ODogg]

Re: Arthritis

I'd check out Synvisc-one as that is what my doctor is recommending I get for my knee which has some similar issues.

it's a gel they inject into your knee and restores lubrication for six months and for a lot of people it does away with the pain completely.

http://www.synviscone.com

[LHT69]

Re: Arthritis

I have a condition called Gout. it is basically when your foot swells up and becomes extremely inflamed and hot to the touch. Not to mention the pain that shoots through your foot when you try and put any weight on it.

When I am having a particularly bad attack, my foot is so sore I can't even stand much less walk. very painful stuff. Went to see the doctor and he basically gave me some low dose steroids to curb the swelling and some pain killers.

There is no cure for Gout but with proper diet, it can be brought under control.

Hope your knee fells better.

[Feared]

Re: Arthritis

First Physical therapy session was today.

Basically I'm going through a regimen to rehab from Chondromalacia, and correct Patellar tendonitis, and mis-tracking. Basically my injury was caused by repetitive microtrauma to the joint, and an imbalance within my Quadriceps, Hamstrings, and Hips.

If your Hips and Ankles are out of alignment, or not tracking, flexing properly that will effect your knee. As your Knee is not designed to be a mobile joint it just reacts to what's between it. (Hips, Ankles) and if one or both of those are off.. your knee is forced to become flexible. Which is bad; putting unnecessary strain on the Knee joint.

So by nature I just have very tight, Hams and Quads. Can't get much of a stretch in them, but I worked on trying to loosen stretch those out. I got some Heat treatment on my Knee, and did some Quad sets, leg extensions other mobility work for the thigh muscles. It's going to be a long road, but I have to completely rebuild my lower body. To get my Hips rotating good, my core and low back to properly support my weight, and get my Quads, and Hamstrings to fire properly so that my knee is not being burdened from incorrect posture, and alignment.

[psychraider32]

Re: Arthritis

I get it pretty bad in my knees (only 23) but I think it's more of an off shoot symptom from the cerebral palsy. Hurts somedays more than others. Cold weather seems to be a factor. I do think staying active helps.

[AUChase]

Re: Arthritis

Hope everything works out okay. I know you missed a bunch of workouts because your wrist was acting up a while back.

[Feared]

Re: Arthritis

Hope everything works out okay. I know you missed a bunch of workouts because your wrist was acting up a while back.

Appreciate it.

Really I am done with Weights for the time being, I've only been doing really light stuff plus my leg rehab.

Have to do something to keep active or else I'd go crazy or depressed, but in addition to the Leg rehab work, I've been doing cycling.

[jmillhimes]

Re: Arthritis

My wife has roomitory Arthritis. Very painful. It runs in her family and im praying my daughter doesnt get it

[ehh]

Re: Arthritis

I started taking glucosamine for it and it helped a bit with the stiffness and some pain relief.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin is a life saver for me. I have a lot of knee and back problems and taking those daily pills helps tremendously. Even though there's no medical proof that they help I think it's worth a shot to try.

For me personally I know there isn't a placebo effect, I've gone on and off them numerous times in the last 6-7 years and every time I go off them for a few weeks my knees starting constantly aching. After taking them again for a few days the pain subsides.

I buy Trader Joe's brand, it's $20 for a good sized bottle. I take two pills per day.