Knee trouble

[Skyedriver]

For the last couple of years, I've had a pain in the knee, not severe but enough to be a discomfort at time. On a scale of 1 - 10 I'd say between a 2 and a 4 or 5.
Occurs when I walk up stairs and sometimes when I would run down a hill so basically I suspect an impact thing. Pain is at the front of the knee.
I suspect osteoarthritis brought on by too many years running on hard surfaces and cycling and kneeling down on cold concrete repairing cars. I'm 65.

There are a lot of supposed remedies or reliefs but don't know of any that work.
Have recently tried turmeric in coffee but three weeks in there's little or no difference>

Anyone any suggestions that work?

[Wacky Racer]

I'm the same age as you and have the same pain, tried taking turmeric, after recommendation from my Doctor, but not made any difference. I did have a mild arthroscopy op ten years ago which seemed to cure it but the pain came back about six months ago.

Three years ago, could have walked forty miles no problem, now it's painful after half a mile

I might have to live with it, as I'd rather not have any more surgery, but later on a knee replacement could be on the cards...

[hyphen]

Yoga & other strength/stretchinbg excercises?

[JapanRed]

Could be tendinipathy rather than arthritis.... Without knowing the underlying issue all treatment options are guesstimations.

[Skyedriver]

Wacky Racer said:

I'm the same age as you and have the same pain, tried taking turmeric, after recommendation from my Doctor, but not made any difference. I did have a mild arthroscopy op ten years ago which seemed to cure it but the pain came back about six months ago.

Three years ago, could have walked forty miles no problem, now it's painful after half a mile

I might have to live with it, as I'd rather not have any more surgery, but later on a knee replacement could be on the cards...

That's comforting :-(
Good luck, with whatever you end up doing

[Skyedriver]

JapanRed said:

Could be tendinipathy rather than arthritis.... Without knowing the underlying issue all treatment options are guesstimations.

Thanks. Read up on that, the pain location could be similar but if this is the problem I guess it's due to age and there ain't no "cure"....

[Wacky Racer]

Skyedriver said:

Wacky Racer said:

I'm the same age as you and have the same pain, tried taking turmeric, after recommendation from my Doctor, but not made any difference. I did have a mild arthroscopy op ten years ago which seemed to cure it but the pain came back about six months ago.

Three years ago, could have walked forty miles no problem, now it's painful after half a mile

I might have to live with it, as I'd rather not have any more surgery, but later on a knee replacement could be on the cards...

That's comforting :-(
Good luck, with whatever you end up doing

Cheers, hope you get your issue sorted too.

I think I'll get a MRI scan arranged, and then at least I should find the cause of the problem...

[numtumfutunch]

Wacky Racer said:

Cheers, hope you get your issue sorted too.

I think I'll get a MRI scan arranged, and then at least I should find the cause of the problem...

Be careful what you wish for

I have a dodgy knee, it flares up now and again so I take it easy for a bit
If I run half a mile its hell but as I hate running this isnt really an issue
Note I have been into running in the past and so know all about this

On the other hand I can cycle for 12h+ without complaint and this makes me happy
Day to day I get the occasional twinge and take ibuprofen for a few days each year but its liveable

A pal had similar symptoms but had the MRI from your wishlist
It showed a cartilage tear so he had surgery which made him worse so much so that he no longer cycles

This board has a tame knee surgeon, I suspect he'll/she'll be along soon

Good luck

[Wacky Racer]

numtumfutunch said:

Wacky Racer said:

Cheers, hope you get your issue sorted too.

I think I'll get a MRI scan arranged, and then at least I should find the cause of the problem...

Be careful what you wish for

I have a dodgy knee, it flares up now and again so I take it easy for a bit
If I run half a mile its hell but as I hate running this isnt really an issue
Note I have been into running in the past and so know all about this

On the other hand I can cycle for 12h+ without complaint and this makes me happy
Day to day I get the occasional twinge and take ibuprofen for a few days each year but its liveable

A pal had similar symptoms but had the MRI from your wishlist
It showed a cartilage tear so he had surgery which made him worse so much so that he no longer cycles

This board has a tame knee surgeon, I suspect he'll/she'll be along soon

Good luck

I understand what you are saying, and even if I had an MRI scan and found the cause I would be reluctant to have surgery, but at least I would know what was wrong.


As I said, I had a 20 minute Arthroscopy several years ago, which cured it for several years,

[ocd]

You need to get a diagnosis which will involve a clinical exam followed by appropriate investigations such as radiographs/MRI. See your GP who will probably refer you into the musculoskeletal triage system. If you want to speed things up go and see a knee surgeon at your local private hospital but be aware that it will cost you £several hundred all up.

[Bill]

Or just start with a physio.

[Nimby]

I'm your age, cartilage worn away. But my knee pain stopped when I came off statins last year.

[Skyedriver]

Bill said:

Or just start with a physio.

My Physio's stock response to anything is "it's wear and tear".

(I married her 15 year ago BTW, she no longer does physio as she was pleased to be out of it after 22 years)....

[Bill]

That's just marital sympathy.

[Bill]

Just realised you're the OP. It isn't easy treating loved* ones so I'd still suggest getting a fresh look at it. Find out what's stiff, what's tight and what's weak, address those and if it's still giving you gyp start chasing the orthopaedic route.

*I'm making assumptions here.

[Skyedriver]

Bill said:

Find out what's stiff, what's tight and what's weak,

We're into a whole different set of medical problems here.....

She was really good when I tried to remove a finger with a circular saw and various other things which I have suffered over the years.
Likewise I've tendered her back pain and a broken ankle, I'm no medic though, an Engineer!

She's suggested some strengthening to the various ligaments which I'll try as well as getting the bike out rather than running although I enjoy the run out, was doing Parkruns etc more recently, used to do half marathons in my 30's

[Bill]

Now for the tricky bit - doing as you've been told.

[Skyedriver]

Bill said:

Now for the tricky bit - doing as you've been told.

Yes Missus!!

[The_Doc]

Wacky Racer said:

Cheers, hope you get your issue sorted too.

I think I'll get a MRI scan arranged, and then at least I should find the cause of the problem...

As has been said before on this thread, MRI will not pinpoint the problem. You need a careful listening-to, then examination, and then *supportive* tests like MRI.
MRI alone is not useful, it has lots of false positives.

[bonerp]

I've used those big elastic bands around a stair post to strengthen the tissues and supporting muscles. Might be worth a go. Start light.