I'm 76 and never had any knee problems, the few falang that I have met always start talking about knee problems, it's like a pandemic. Up to my retirement I used to walk a lot, maybe that's what has kept my knees in good order. What I do get is pain in the calf muscles sometimes but continuing to walk makes that go away.

12 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I'm 76 and never had any knee problems, the few falang that I have met always start talking about knee problems, it's like a pandemic. Up to my retirement I used to walk a lot, maybe that's what has kept my knees in good order. What I do get is pain in the calf muscles sometimes but continuing to walk makes that go away.

I didn't have any knee problems at 76 either, a lot can change in 6 years.

Just now, giddyup said:

I didn't have any knee problems at 76 either, a lot can change in 6 years.

So that's another thing to look forward to.

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

@giddyup

You need to see an orthopedic doctor. Pain such that you  can't walk 30 minutes at a normal pace needs intervention.

 

If it is due to arthtitis there are alternatives to surgery that can help. eg HA injections. Targeted physical therapy to strengthen specific muscles that support the knee may also be beneficial. 

 

In the meantime  should stop at the point of pain as continuing will lead to inflammation and worsen matters. Maybe try 15 minutes twice a day instead of 30 minutes once? 

Can you please recommend an orthopedic Dr in Bkk 

3 hours ago, gargamon said:

I've been getting corticosteroids injected for hip OA. Is HA a longer term treatment? The steroids only seem to help for a few months. Thanks.

HA injections work differently than steroids and usually last at least 6 months,  longer in some people. Not everyone is a good candidate, important to consult a good orthopedic specialist.

 

There is a recent thread in this forum on this. https://aseannow.com/topic/1346428-hyaluronic-acid-knee-injection-where-in-bangkok-please/

15 minutes ago, pest said:

Can you please recommend an orthopedic Dr in Bkk 

Very best knee specialist is https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/panya-wongpatimachai

15 hours ago, giddyup said:

I'm walking at would be seen as a brisk pace, so I'll try slowing it down and 2 X 15 minutes as you suggested.

Do it as you can without pain. There are no rules for it.

Swimming is an option. But as I said, avoid what will cause pain.

A orthopedist's visit is also an option. But give your body the chance for recovering also. 

Curcuma longa (Tumeric) is helpful to many people with same problems.

There's a big lesson here for everyone - use it or lose it.

Exercise is good for joints (and muscle maintenance and growth, and bone density, and circulation, and mental health...).

I used to play squash 2-3 times a week in my late teens.  I suspect I was more enthusiastic than skilled, and I recognised that the pounding on my knees was not going to be good over time (many middle-aged squash players have bad leg joints) so I gave up squash at 20.

Now, at 64, I walk, cycle (outdoor and indoor), use a rowing machine (water rower - makes lovely splashy sounds, just like the real thing) and pick up the occasional kettle bell.  I don't do anything excessively but I do enough to maintain my health and fitness.  A few minutes a day - just 10-15 - can make a real difference.  My smartwatch tells me I have a fitness age of 55 and a resting heart rate of 49, so it appears to be working.

I know it's hot here but low-impact exercises are essential if you wish to enjoy old age.  Indoor bikes and rowing machines (and perhaps floor exercises or yoga) are easily achievable here.

It's never too late to start (gently)!

1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

I'm 76 and never had any knee problems, the few falang that I have met always start talking about knee problems, it's like a pandemic. Up to my retirement I used to walk a lot, maybe that's what has kept my knees in good order. What I do get is pain in the calf muscles sometimes but continuing to walk makes that go away.

I ought to add that I have always been slim, when I was living in Germany I liked German food and beer and although I am of average height I never weighed more than 74 kg, now in Thailand I only eat once a day and drink on average maybe two beers a week this has brought my weight down to 65 kg, I think weight plays a big role in knee health.

32 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

There's a big lesson here for everyone - use it or lose it.

Exercise is good for joints (and muscle maintenance and growth, and bone density, and circulation, and mental health...).

I used to play squash 2-3 times a week in my late teens.  I suspect I was more enthusiastic than skilled, and I recognised that the pounding on my knees was not going to be good over time (many middle-aged squash players have bad leg joints) so I gave up squash at 20.

Now, at 64, I walk, cycle (outdoor and indoor), use a rowing machine (water rower - makes lovely splashy sounds, just like the real thing) and pick up the occasional kettle bell.  I don't do anything excessively but I do enough to maintain my health and fitness.  A few minutes a day - just 10-15 - can make a real difference.  My smartwatch tells me I have a fitness age of 55 and a resting heart rate of 49, so it appears to be working.

I know it's hot here but low-impact exercises are essential if you wish to enjoy old age.  Indoor bikes and rowing machines (and perhaps floor exercises or yoga) are easily achievable here.

It's never too late to start (gently)!

You know there's a big difference between 64 and 82. I never had any joint problems until I hit 80. 

My brother in law (in 80s) could fix his own back problem by swimming. 

50 minutes ago, giddyup said:

You know there's a big difference between 64 and 82. I never had any joint problems until I hit 80. 

 

Of course, and getting to 80 before problems arrived is commendable.

 

Prevention is better than cure so I'm enjoying this while I can.

I played fooball in HS and found that during the necessary running/jogging, I exerienced the "runner's high", then enlisted in the AF and continued with running to stay in shape to pass the yearly physical.  Four years later, as a civilian I began running every day for 5 miles.  Went to Spain 10 years later, joined a marathon - man did I ever hurt afterwards!  couldn't even do my hours long training for that marathon,  A month later after the pain subsided, I began training for the very first official Madrid Marathon - I ended up at 1645 place out of the 3500 or so that started and Man o man those pains were right there again so I listened to my body and never did anything over a half marathon but did very many plus hundreds of 10K around the world.  When I turn 65, I realized that I like outside running but that meant sidewalks and road - and began to worry about my knees everntually wearing out as at 64 I was still doing at least a 5-87 miles daily .  But, I switched to walking, some days 10 miles but mostly 6 miles.  I continued with this until this June (2024) and kept being interupted with thunerstorms. , so I switched to 1 hour of walking aerobics which I continue to do daily - watch says at least a 6km walk, somedays I do it in 40 minutes, other days 1 hour.  I did lose 3 inches off my waist and 6 pounds and continue with this routine dialy.  I think that the knees are still doing great so i am not worried about wearing them out but if I do begin to ache, I will alter the routine to see if the pain subsides.  I see stories regularly about others older than this still running without joint problems but some people have the joint problems at a much younger age.  Perhap there might be a physical problem with running style of speed.  If you return to jogging, just take it easy for quite some time to avoid the aches again.  Good luck!

On 12/26/2024 at 8:08 AM, giddyup said:

my knees are giving out. At 82 I expect some wear and tear, but do I just persevere through the pain, or am I causing more damage by 30 minute daily walking?

 

I'm sure you know this already, but checking with an Orthopaedic Dr is by far the best way to evaluate your knee issues. 

 

Years of impact sport have taken their toll, I thought I was getting away with it as I entered late 40's... but no, within the past 18 months I've had arthroscopic surgery on both knees to repair, or rather trim back a torn meniscus (on both knees) - they've basically worn out already !

 

 

You'll likely undertake an MRI to evaluate the issue & depending on what needs to be done you may have simple Arthroscopic surgery - recover is fast and the surgery itself is less risky than conventional surgery which utilises a general anaesthetic. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe the first thing to attempt is to determine the exact nature of the damage that is causing the pain.  This would involve seeing a specialist.  By which I mean someone other than a G.P. or the average hospital doctor.  A chiropractor might be a good choice.

 

Used Dr Philip Parry very successfully about a dozen years ago, for a severe debilitating pain in the neck:
"Thai registered Chiropractor, consultant at Rajavej Hospital Chiang Mai and Piyavate Hospital (TRIA) Bangkok, treating patients with neck & back pain, sciatica, headaches, sports injuries, arthritis, allergies & many paediatric chiropractic complaints."

 

Possibly there is one or other of these suggestions that might help:
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/alternative-treatments

 

I have seen it said that pain exists where there is a shortage of oxygen, i.e. poor circulation, often caused by wounding.  Might explain some circumstances.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I'm sure you know this already, but checking with an Orthopaedic Dr is by far the best way to evaluate your knee issues. 

 

Years of impact sport have taken their toll, I thought I was getting away with it as I entered late 40's... but no, within the past 18 months I've had arthroscopic surgery on both knees to repair, or rather trim back a torn meniscus (on both knees) - they've basically worn out already !

 

 

You'll likely undertake an MRI to evaluate the issue & depending on what needs to be done you may have simple Arthroscopic surgery - recover is fast and the surgery itself is less risky than conventional surgery which utilises a general anaesthetic. 

 

 In an 82 year old it would be rare to need an MRI or arthroscopy.

 

In that age group osteoarthritis is the usual culprit and physical exam plus Xray usually suffice to show the extent.

6 hours ago, IsaanT said:

 

Of course, and getting to 80 before problems arrived is commendable.

 

Prevention is better than cure so I'm enjoying this while I can.

getting to 80 at all is commendable

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

 In an 82 year old it would be rare to need an MRI or arthroscopy.

 

In that age group osteoarthritis is the usual culprit and physical exam plus Xray usually suffice to show the extent.

 

Yet, at a very similar age (at 79), in the UK... this exactly how my mother has been treated - X-Ray / MRI / Arthroscopic surgery (day case).

 

As you mention, Osteoarthritis is the usual culprit, but making that diagnosis on an x-Ray alone does not allow for soft tissue evaluation - An X-ray can rule out other issues, its still best (IMO) to have an MRI and cover the other issues commonly related to knee pain. 

 

 

 

 

On 12/26/2024 at 12:08 PM, giddyup said:

my knees are giving out. At 82 I expect some wear and tear, but do I just persevere through the pain, or am I causing more damage by 30 minute daily walking?

Get injections into your joints. Lasts 6 to 8 months

On 12/27/2024 at 9:55 AM, Sheryl said:

HA injections work differently than steroids and usually last at least 6 months,  longer in some people. Not everyone is a good candidate, important to consult a good orthopedic specialist.

 

There is a recent thread in this forum on this. https://aseannow.com/topic/1346428-hyaluronic-acid-knee-injection-where-in-bangkok-please/

Thanks for the pointer to the other thread. Useful stuff. I was wondering though, can you do simultaneous treatments on the same joint with HA and steroids?

59 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Thanks for the pointer to the other thread. Useful stuff. I was wondering though, can you do simultaneous treatments on the same joint with HA and steroids?

yes