knee's cartilage erosion - advise

[waxpro]

Hey guys,

 

my elder nephew in his 4th decade of age, with a bit over weight from the average, around 10 kg extra.

He was feeling pain in his knees for many years ago, and often go to therapy treatments,

in his recent visit to his doctor, told him that the his knee cartilage almost damaged by 50%,

As the could weather where he lives, during the winter worsen the pain,

I advised him to do some sports to lose weight, but this maybe not fit suitably with his condition,

Anyone of you guys with this matter? is there any kind treatment, to take some supplement tablets, vitamin or minerals that can help to recover even a little bit or just to avoid more damaging? his age now is around 42 or 43, what about cycling sports to reduce the extra weight?

 

if any similar experience with some relevant advises, or recommendation to a specific supplement tablets will be highly appreciated,

thanks.

 

[Lungstib]

I had a knee operation at age 20 to remove a cartilage. Played soccer again at 23 but it was never quite right. Kept my weight down and have had a very active life with trekking, tennis, swimming and cycling. When my knees gave me trouble at 50 only the swim and cycle were continued, doctors suggestions. Getting weight down is far more diet based than exercise. Despite the advertising there is little to suggest taking supplements of any sort help. You can have replacement artificial cartilage inserted by operation but I was told 55 was early, they will be worn out before I die. Now 67, I dont run, walk every day but slow and 2kms max. Swimming still best option. 

[Sheryl]

Moved to the Health Forum.

 

As per poster above, weight loss is the single best thing he can do.

 

Regarding cycling and other sports, he should first take the advice of his orthopedic specialist to ensure he does not do something that will worsen matters.

 

Targeted exercises can be helpful but need to be prescribed by ortho or physical therapist.

 

in terms of supplements, glucosamine is the one usually recommended but evidence is mixed.

 

 

[waxpro]

Thanks for the replies,

As I heard from him that his Dr. told him is too early to make a replacement now, he needs to wait around when he turned 60 of age, almost 20 years later from now,

I would recommend him to consult with his Dr again, then start weight loss with some cycling, walking or swimming,

Also he is a diabetic, so things should be taken precisely, 

 

Additionally, what about talking a multi-vitamin? could help to repair the cartilage even a little bit? or any supplement that will stop further erosion?

Thanks for any shared comments, really appreciated!

[Sheryl]

A multivitamin won't do anything. He should take glucosamine as mentioned but above all lose weight. Remember that his knees are bearing his weigjt. Even a 1-2 kg weight loss, that is 1-2 kg less strain on the knees.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[cooked]

I was told by a Swiss surgeon 17 tears ago that I had 50% cartilage left in one knee and 40% in the other. He wanted to remove cartilage and saw off a bit of my leg to even out the length of my legs. I was horrified and didn't do it.

I was a landscape gardener at the time and carried on working (eventually) for another 12 years, No pain for a long time, at the beginning I used a drug called Structum (Choindroitin Sulfate Sodium) which seemed to help a lot, although of course you can't replace lost cartilage.

I no longer trust surgeons even if they are Swiss, who are supposed to be world experts on knee problems due to skiing injuries.

I would also wait as long as possible if things don't get better, not forgetting that any operation will take longer to recover from the older you get.

 

[Lacessit]

Weight loss is paramount. As Sheryl said, the evidence for glucosamine is mixed. Swimming is least stressful on knees.

[Amusements]

I would also recommend glucosamine, but make sure it also contains chondroitin, which speeds up the process. 

[waxpro]

Thank you so much guys for all these valuable shared information,

first key point is weight lose, then taking the supplement of glucosamine that contains chondroitin,

As I searched, I found several dosages, I will recommend him to check again with his Dr. about what dosage is suitable for him as per his overall health condition,

Thanks once again to your kind efforts, shared stories and information, appreciated gratefully!

A peaceful weekend to all of you!

[chubby]

There is this thing called the placebo effect,  many ppl swear by Glucosamine, if that is good enough for you  "try it" , but  quite likely to not do anything, (except cost you 1000s of baht)you can also try viscosupplementation injection, but same thing,  ortho docs are willing to do them at least, but  ......

if you can find some quality tumeric and don't mind the prices, use that, ice your knees often for 20 minutes esp after any long walks,  do isometric  quad exercises  or  concentric/eccentric with resistance if it doesn't flare up the problem

 

and last I've heard  cartilage replacement required one to not move their knee for 3-6 months and is experimental ...... often you can make problems worse by trying to fix them .....  <- 1st hand experience in that

Edited September 14, 2018 by chubby
dfsd

[steelepulse]

I was scheduled for a partial knee replacement, but due to traveling for some long flights I put the surgery off.  When I returned I was able to walk a little bit without pain, so I decided to not get the surgery done.  I then also started taking a supplement that has glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, Hyuralonic acid and a couple other ingredients.  3 years later, pain free and exercising on a daily basis.  I buy this off of ebay and it costs around 400 baht a month to be pain free.  Well worth it!

 

I recently took an overseas trip and forgot to take this supplement almost every day on the trip and within two weeks of infrequent use, the pain started returning.  Now 3 weeks after daily intake, the pain is gone again.  YMMV

 

 

[waxpro]

On 9/14/2018 at 1:28 PM, steelepulse said:

I was scheduled for a partial knee replacement, but due to traveling for some long flights I put the surgery off.  When I returned I was able to walk a little bit without pain, so I decided to not get the surgery done.  I then also started taking a supplement that has glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, Hyuralonic acid and a couple other ingredients.  3 years later, pain free and exercising on a daily basis.  I buy this off of ebay and it costs around 400 baht a month to be pain free.  Well worth it!

 

I recently took an overseas trip and forgot to take this supplement almost every day on the trip and within two weeks of infrequent use, the pain started returning.  Now 3 weeks after daily intake, the pain is gone again.  YMMV

 

 

Thanks for this sharing, very interesting indeed,

As I understood that you need to keep taking the medication of glucosamine, chondroitin to be pain free, is that correct? 

I searched in google about these supplements and found various dosages, up to 1500 mg.

which one is suitable to recommend take? 

any additional supplements besides the 2 mentioned in above, please advise, 

thank you so much for the sharing. and all others shared replies too!

 

[steelepulse]

4 hours ago, waxpro said:

Thanks for this sharing, very interesting indeed,

As I understood that you need to keep taking the medication of glucosamine, chondroitin to be pain free, is that correct? 

I searched in google about these supplements and found various dosages, up to 1500 mg.

which one is suitable to recommend take? 

any additional supplements besides the 2 mentioned in above, please advise, 

thank you so much for the sharing. and all others shared replies too!

 

I have been taking flexacil ultra for a couple years now.  I buy it off ebay.  Works for me.  Good luck and avoid the knife as long as you can.

[DavisH]

I had ost of my right knee cartilage removed when I was 16. It as torn during basketball, but think the tear was initiated earlier when doing weight training. I'm 50 now and have never really had a problem with it, probably as I am not very active most of the time! In Australia, I did get pain in it when the weather was cold though. No problem with that in LoS.

I'm not sure about supplements, but non-impact exercise like swimming would be the best option for exercise to lose the weight (should take my own advice actually).