Knee problems

[cambourne7]

Hi All,

Well 3 weeks ago i woke up and could not bend my left knee had not bashed it or done anything.

Well after a little while i could move the knee but could not get it to do anything turns out i have managed to tear the cartilage going to the doc tomorrow to get referral to hospital to see how bad.

I have good days when i can almost walk up and down the stairs but most of the time i can't and moving the knee sideways is impossible. Have a habit of folding one knee over the other which i do now out of habit and the pain makes me yelp!

I had been to the doctor about 9 months ago to be tested for arthritis as i get very painful joints in fingers and toes and my knees had started to make a crunching noise. Well looks like i found out whats been crunching. But all the tests came back negative for arthritis and doc thinks this might be wear and tear.

Am a little worried am able to walk (once i get going) and drive (if i can lift leg into car) but only just make it home before it kills.

Anyone else had something similar happen? Am worried ?

Cam

[cambourne7]

[galina]

Cam, I don't have any experience with such knee problems, a twinge here and there is the worst I have had so far.

Wish you all the best at the doctors and hope for a speedy remedy so you are much better soon.

Fingers crossed, let us know how the doctor's visit went.

[cestrian]

Hi Cam

I tore my cartilage last year playing football. I couldn't walk very well and stairs were impossible, but after key hole surgery I was walking although a bit gingerly after 3 or 4 days. 12 months later it's like it never happened. As good as new.
Years ago this would have been a big op with weeks spent in hospital, but now you'll be in and out on the same day.

Hope all goes well. Good luck!

Ian.

[Digeroo]

  They managed to patch my son up after torn cartilage but he has to wear a huge brace for skiing. 

[Ellen K]

Some people say glucosamine and fish oils are good for their joints.  You can buy them in generic bottles from the likes of Home Bargains, might be worth a try.

Also, if you are a bit porky, well lose some weight.  This is where I am - I wonder about my knees giving way when I look round at people a bit older than me who are fellow chubsters.  Makes sense - less load for them to have to support all the time.  I have decided to delete the booze and crisps for a while - good for the wallet and the weight.

Hope you are better soon.

[cambourne7]

:) thanks guys and galls

Yes i have been "porky" although i am significantly less porky now :)

glad to hear some positive outcomes have appointment in about 20 min with the doc then home hot shower and then work :(

Cam

[lottie lou]

You could try leg stretches (a yoga instructor will explain how).  It hurts like hell at first but if you persevere it improves.  Solved my cartilage probs after many years. 

[cambourne7]

doc says not cartalidge but ligament and i should have had knee strapped up for the last few weeks :(

now waiting to see physio :)

[ACE]

i should have had knee strapped up

Get some nice beige surgical stockings, that will get you a few wolf whistles from the dirty old men at the lottie. ;)

[galina]

doc says not cartalidge but ligament and i should have had knee strapped up for the last few weeks :(

now waiting to see physio :)

What happened to the ligament?  Presumably not torn but damaged.  Hope the physio can do 3 things for you - shed light into how it might have happened, help with healing and advise how to prevent it in future if there is a weakness in your knee.

It sounds painful and debilitating.  Hope all can be remedied very quickly.

My slight knee ligament issues (twisting in aerobic class doing fast turns badly) usually cleared up on their own in about 6 weeks.  However I never had anything as bad as yours.  And - touch wood - no more since losing weight.

[cambourne7]

Knees have been making crunching noises for over a year doc did X-rays and blood tests 9 months ago and nothing expect this is long term damage from being a little over weight and its finally taken its toll.

Still waiting for physio appointment expect i will hear something this week.

Am hypermobile so my joints all move 2 much anyway.

Can nearly get in the car now :)

[SamLouise]

I hope you get on better than I did waiting for physio, Cam. I had to go private in the end after continually chasing up my NHS referral and was told in the end that the wait was roughly 20 weeks!! 

[grannyjanny]

I had a fall & was told I had rheumatism in the knee. What had actually happened was that my knee was out of alignment but I needed physio to strengthen it. I was given exercises & have been fine since. I have 3 granddaughters who are hypermobile. Youngest hates it because we can't 1 2 3 & a weeeeeeeeeeee & swing her by her arms in case her shoulder or elbow move out ::).