Arthritic knees

[Wobblybob]

My knees were 74 years old just lately and although I don't have much problem walking, squatting is another kettle of fish. I have not sought any medical advice but I strongly suspect it may be arthritis. Have any other members got any advice on the subject, I have just seen this video on YouTube but have not tried it yet. Anyone know the cost of a knee operation should push come to shove.

 

https://youtu.be/nSZkzh4BaxU?si=sVPeilUvzJroqwdL

 

Edited May 22 by Wobblybob

[In Full Agreement]

 

 

Old age bring loads of new ailments on a regular  basis.

 

 

[Wobblybob]

Just now, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

Old age bring loads of new ailments on a regular  basis.

 

 

Doesn't it just. 🥴

[BigStar]

Try exercise & stretching. I swear by a couple of strong isometric knee extensions (2 min each) per week, and

Poliquin step ups helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRvybsL8b-I

Buy a slant board here, works:

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/big-sales-3pcs-wedge-stretch-slant-board-anti-slip-calf-stretcher-slanting-yoga-block-i4707025746-s19405058492.html

And knee stretches: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/how-to-stretch-knee#stretches

And a little massage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxNO8ytjYh8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKtQJrWSW5k&pp=ygUeYm9iIGFuZCBicmFkIGtuZWUgcGFpbiBtYXNzYWdl

Bob and Brad have a lot of vids about knee pain. They're good.

Get the kneecap to stay in alignment. Things, esp at our ages, don't have to be 100%. Maybe they can never be, at this point. But just getting a problem under control so that it's basically OK and not getting worse will do.

[Wobblybob]

23 minutes ago, BigStar said:

Try exercise & stretching. I swear by a couple of strong isometric knee extensions (2 min each) per week, and

Poliquin step ups helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRvybsL8b-I

Buy a slant board here, works:

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/big-sales-3pcs-wedge-stretch-slant-board-anti-slip-calf-stretcher-slanting-yoga-block-i4707025746-s19405058492.html

And knee stretches: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/how-to-stretch-knee#stretches

And a little massage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxNO8ytjYh8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKtQJrWSW5k&pp=ygUeYm9iIGFuZCBicmFkIGtuZWUgcGFpbiBtYXNzYWdl

Bob and Brad have a lot of vids about knee pain. They're good.

Get the kneecap to stay in alignment. Things, esp at our ages, don't have to be 100%. Maybe they can never be, at this point. But just getting a problem under control so that it's basically OK and not getting worse will do.

Thanks or the very helpful advice and as luck would have it my wife has one of those sloping boards, never used it myself though, but having watched that video I'll give it a try. 👍

 

 

[CANSIAM]

No need to squat at 74......you'll discover or make issues.

[dddave]

I've been dealing with arthritic knees for nearly 20 years now. They generally don't get better though recent stem cell treatments have been promising.  Most sufferers opt eventually for knee replacement surgery.  I have risk factors that made double replacement too risky.  I get along OK but can not walk for long distances.  I do get some relief from periodic cortisone injections but the effect is temporary and too frequent use of cortisone (a steroid) has harmful effects on bone.

If OP is handy to the Pattaya area, I have found Dr. Rudjasorn at the Rudjasorn clinic to be one of the best orthopedic Doctors I have ever consulted with.  His English is excellent and he answers questions willingly.  I would highly recommend OP have him do an evaluation of your knees and discuss with him how to deal with it in the future. The clinic is an evening clinic opening most days at 5pm as he practices at local hospitals during daytime. 

 https://pattayaorthopaedics.com/

Edited May 22 by dddave

[BritManToo]

I've found smoking 0.5gm of cannabis every night before bed has completely cured me, even the joint swelling has gone.

 

Not all strains work though, critical orange punch, tropical punch, red diesel, godfather all work for me.

 

Before cannabis I was taking 8x paracetamol a day, just to reduce the pain.

Edited May 22 by BritManToo

[rumak]

there are, at last count,  26, 242 youtube videos on how to fix your knees .   I am on number 462 .    /s   ( this means sarcasm.... as i found out recently ) 

 

from my extensive research I have found out that age is a very important factor in bodily ailments ( who woulda thought).   And knees ?   73 is the magic year.... when pain suddenly pop out of the bottle .   73 !   

 

now,  i too am going through all the possibilities and sure thing fixes to find what will work for me .    Stay tuned .    🙂

[rumak]

AND ......... while we are on the subject .........would like to hear from anyone who has had a Hyaluronic Acid Injection ( given in a weekly series  2 to 5 shots depending on the brands/protocol).    

 

read about it ......... it is offered in Thailand ......... and different than the cortisone stuff.

 

i am thinking seriously of going this route.....  

[rumak]

3 hours ago, Wobblybob said:

Have any other members got any advice on the subject

 

you might get a bit tired reading this summary of arthritis symptoms, treatments , etc

 

but it is a good summary .   probably you will need some help figuring out what is your problem , and then what is best for you ( could always try the get stoned before sleep method first . )

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7931012/

[Wobblybob]

Just now, rumak said:

 

you might get a bit tired reading this summary of arthritis symptoms, treatments , etc

 

but it is a good summary .   probably you will need some help figuring out what is your problem , and then what is best for you ( could always try the get stoned before sleep method first . )

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7931012/

Thanks for the intensive reading material.😱

Walking is not a problem, the problem occurs when I go to a restaurant and I'm seated for an hour or so and decide to stand then the knees lock up for a wee while. I do weighted carries as part of a fitness exercise to stave off dementia and the like. Part of weight training involves squatting with a bar etc and it's just impossible for do this comfortably. So at the moment I'm doing more upper body than lower body and I don't want to end up looking like a funnel. 😉

[Sheryl]

There is no single "knee surgery" but rather a number of different procedures depending on the specific problem.

 

Nothing you have said suggests a current need for any of them.

 

There are also a number of non-surgical treatments  again depending on the exact problem.  Ant-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, HA injections, PRP,   physical therapy etc. 

 

You need to see a good ortho  and get the knee examined and possibly Xrayed (not always necessary). You will then have an actual diagnosis and recommendations for management specific to it. 

 

Careful with the experiences of others whose problems may have been entirely different. 

 

And careful with exercises until you have a diagnosis. You could do yourself some harm.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

[Wobblybob]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

There is no single "knee surgery" but rather a number of different procedures depending on the specific problem.

 

Nothing you have said suggests a current need for any of them.

 

There are also a number of non-surgical treatments  again depending on the exact ptoblem.  treatments. Ant-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, HA injections, PRP,   physical therapy etc. 

 

You need to see a good ortho  and get the knee examined and possibly Xrayed (not always necessary). You will then have an actual diagnosis and recommendations for management specific to it. 

 

Careful with the experiences of others whose problems may have been entirely different. 

 

And careful with exercises until you have a diagnosis. You could do yourself some harm.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

Thanks for the reply Sheryl, I am near Sattahip.

I have tried these knee straps and it just makes the knees more painful.🥴

[Sheryl]

Suggest you start by seeing  the ortho recommended by dddave above.

[billd766]

3 hours ago, rumak said:

there are, at last count,  26, 242 youtube videos on how to fix your knees .   I am on number 462 .    /s   ( this means sarcasm.... as i found out recently ) 

 

from my extensive research I have found out that age is a very important factor in bodily ailments ( who woulda thought).   And knees ?   73 is the magic year.... when pain suddenly pop out of the bottle .   73 !   

 

now,  i too am going through all the possibilities and sure thing fixes to find what will work for me .    Stay tuned .    🙂

I am 80 and I have arthritis for many years especially in my left knee.

 

At the moment I am taking Tramadol 50 mg plus paracetamol (both recommended by the state hospital doctor in Kamphaeng Phet) and issued from the hospital. Yesterday I asked if CBD oil would help. He did not know, and sent me to the cannabis clinic at the hospital, they in turn sent me to the orthopedic clinic back more or less where I started.

 

She gave me a steroid injection and a course of Tolpersone tablets to take 3 times a day. My knee feels a bit better today.

 

Normally I spray the knee cap with Elmetacin which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent and I also wear an elastic knee bandage, which helps me walk a bit more although I use a walking stick when I am out.

[Wobblybob]

I have just tried the rolled up towel method as shown in my YouTube video and there feels to be a marked improvement, fingers crossed. 🤞

[HappyExpat57]

Two years ago I woke up with sudden onset arthritis in my knees. I couldn't walk up or down 3 steps without severe pain. I went to a specialist, had x-rays done, and the first thing she said was lose 30 pounds. I dropped half of that and got my knees back. I'm still fighting to lose the other half, and for now I'm just glad to get back the mobility I have.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

3 hours ago, rumak said:

AND ......... while we are on the subject .........would like to hear from anyone who has had a Hyaluronic Acid Injection ( given in a weekly series  2 to 5 shots depending on the brands/protocol).    

 

read about it ......... it is offered in Thailand ......... and different than the cortisone stuff.

 

i am thinking seriously of going this route.....  

 

Have twice had HA injections administered by Dr. Panya at Bumrungrad after x-rays and consultation.

 

Only one injection was administered each time. The first one lasted more than a year and fixed the issue of my kneecap "catching" and increased range of movement.

 

The second one lasted about a year, but the symptoms and inflammation I had prior to these injections never returned to the level they were before.

 

I am not sure whether the HA injections are responsible for the continuing reduction in symptoms and increase in movement of the knee, but I suspect they may be. It has been seven years since the second injection and my knee is much improved compared to where it was before the injections.

 

Losing weight also helps a lot.

Edited May 22 by Etaoin Shrdlu

[rumak]

17 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

 

Have twice had HA injections administered by Dr. Panya at Bumrungrad after x-rays and consultation.

 

Only one injection was administered each time. The first one lasted more than a year and fixed the issue of my kneecap "catching" and increased range of movement.

 

The second one lasted about a year, but the symptoms and inflammation I had prior to these injections never returned to the level they were before.

 

I am not sure whether the HA injections are responsible for the continuing reduction in symptoms and increase in movement of the knee, but I suspect they may be. It has been seven years since the second injection and my knee is much improved compared to where it was before the injections.

 

Losing weight also helps a lot.

Thank you !!  Sometimes anecdotal ( from a REAL person ...... not a paid ad or promotion)  is worth a lot !   Yes...as we are so often reminded ( and should be understood by everyone)  each persons condition is different , especially when discussing bones/ligaments/ etc etc .    So of course finding the solution for each individual person is not an easy task.   Even for doctors .

OK .... So..... for you it was a blessing .  From what i take from what i have read about the HA injections.... in my mind they are exactly what COULD work best for many :

 

How Do These Knee Osteoarthritis Injections Work?

Normal joint fluid contains a substance called hyaluronan. It acts like a shock absorber and lubricant in your joint and is needed to help the joint work properly. Hyaluronan is highly viscous, allowing the cartilage surfaces of the bones to glide upon each other smoothly. This leads to decreased symptoms of osteoarthritis.

 

thanks again for posting.    

[Andre0720]

Just stop eating Thai food,

and this problem might very well just go away....

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, rumak said:

Thank you !!  Sometimes anecdotal ( from a REAL person ...... not a paid ad or promotion)  is worth a lot !   Yes...as we are so often reminded ( and should be understood by everyone)  each persons condition is different , especially when discussing bones/ligaments/ etc etc .    So of course finding the solution for each individual person is not an easy task.   Even for doctors .

OK .... So..... for you it was a blessing .  From what i take from what i have read about the HA injections.... in my mind they are exactly what COULD work best for many :

 

How Do These Knee Osteoarthritis Injections Work?

Normal joint fluid contains a substance called hyaluronan. It acts like a shock absorber and lubricant in your joint and is needed to help the joint work properly. Hyaluronan is highly viscous, allowing the cartilage surfaces of the bones to glide upon each other smoothly. This leads to decreased symptoms of osteoarthritis.

 

thanks again for posting.    

HA injections will help if the problem is due to osteoarthritis and if it is not too badly advanced. Worth taking an ortho's opinion on that, as the injections are not cheap.

 

They are temporary (but may last 6 montghs, sometimes longer) and do not cure the underlying problem so many people end up eventually needed a knee replacement but the injections can sometimes delay that need by years.

 

Best results will be when combined with appropriate physical therapy and (where applicable) weight loss.

[rumak]

7 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

HA injections will help if the problem is due to osteoarthritis and if it is not too badly advanced. Worth taking an ortho's opinion on that, as the injections are not cheap.

 

They are temporary (but may last 6 montghs, sometimes longer) and do not cure the underlying problem so many people end up eventually needed a knee replacement but the injections can sometimes delay that need by years.

 

Best results will be when combined with appropriate physical therapy and (where applicable) weight loss.

 

1. due to osteoarthritis and not that badly advanced ......check

2. i have always been fit ....... in todays world i am called "skinny".....check

3. The length of time they last ,  according to studies, varies.   And by "cushioning"

   the bones, the further wear and tear can be greatly diminished.   And also enable

   the patient to actually tolerate doing stretches and strengthening which is so necessary to maintain ones health

 

IMO ..... and if reading the alternatives ( drugs with warnings not to use for long periods) ..... or opiates to mask the pain ... or steroids  :   i think HA injections are definitely a great alternative .   Maybe they work, maybe not .   One poster here has had very good results . .......   oh, yes, my osteopath is who suggested this option

[rumak]

50 minutes ago, rumak said:

IMO ..... and if reading the alternatives ( drugs with warnings not to use for long periods) ..... or opiates to mask the pain ... or steroids  :   i think HA injections are definitely a great alternative .   Maybe they work, maybe not .   One poster here has had very good results . .......   oh, yes, my osteopath is who suggested this option

actually the dr i see is an orthopedist  ...lol .    must have been something in my subconcious that wrote osteopath.......  

 

Edited May 22 by rumak

[Sheryl]

59 minutes ago, rumak said:

actually the dr i see is an orthopedist  ...lol .    must have been something in my subconcious that wrote osteopath.......  

 

Or autocorrect!

 

From what you say of your situation I would definitely get HA injection.  

[rumak]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Or autocorrect!

 

From what you say of your situation I would definitely get HA injection.  

 

yes,  hopefully Saturday .   I didn't expect to do it at first... but both knees now stiff.   Not sure which one he gives ( but it is 3 shots,  1 a week )  

 

Hyaluronic Acid shots ( from the internet )  :

Brand Name

How It's Given

Euflexxa3 injections, each 1 week apart

Hyalgan3 to 5 injections, each 1 week apart

Orthovisc3 or 4 injections, each 1 week apart

Supartz3 to 5 injections, each 1 week apart

Synvisc3 injections, each 1 week apart

Synvisc-One1 injection

[Lorry]

14 hours ago, BigStar said:

Try exercise & stretching. I swear by a couple of strong isometric knee extensions (2 min each) per week, and

Poliquin step ups helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRvybsL8b-I

Buy a slant board here, works:

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/big-sales-3pcs-wedge-stretch-slant-board-anti-slip-calf-stretcher-slanting-yoga-block-i4707025746-s19405058492.html

And knee stretches: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/how-to-stretch-knee#stretches

And a little massage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxNO8ytjYh8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKtQJrWSW5k&pp=ygUeYm9iIGFuZCBicmFkIGtuZWUgcGFpbiBtYXNzYWdl

Bob and Brad have a lot of vids about knee pain. They're good.

Get the kneecap to stay in alignment. Things, esp at our ages, don't have to be 100%. Maybe they can never be, at this point. But just getting a problem under control so that it's basically OK and not getting worse will do.

Exercise, exercise, exercise. You need strong thighs, the stronger,  the better.

Bob and Brad are good, but very old school.

Try to find additionally a more modern physical therapist,  maybe in the Naval Hospital?

Google "GLAD" = " Good Living with Arthrosis in Denmark", they reduced the need for knee surgery a lot.

 

Lose weight 

 

Avoid sitting in Thai restaurants,  their "chairs" are made for dwarfs.

If you must use them (yes, its squatting, not sitting) carry a thick pillow with you and sit on the pillow. 

A bar stool is better.

[newbee2022]

18 hours ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

Old age bring loads of new ailments on a regular  basis.

 

 

Some you can avoid by exercise. Fast walking, yoga, biking, gym, aso

[maingmoom]

If like me at 77 years old, you develop bone on bone, I see no other option than to have knee replacements. In 2018 at 77 I had my first knee replacement, and in 2019 I had the other knee replacement. The best decision I have ever made, Before the operations, every step I took was painful. In bed every move I made was painful. Now I am completely free of pain. Both my operations were carried out at Pattaya City Hospital by Dr Rudjasorn Pumpan.  I had four nights in hospital and each one cost 280,000 Baht.

[ThaiFelix]

18 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I've found smoking 0.5gm of cannabis every night before bed has completely cured me, even the joint swelling has gone.

 

Not all strains work though, critical orange punch, tropical punch, red diesel, godfather all work for me.

 

Before cannabis I was taking 8x paracetamol a day, just to reduce the pain.

But how often do you have to kill your parents to support your weed habit?