Any thoughts on knee braces?

Cornhusker said:
I had a torn meniscus and wore a knee brace when I had to be on my feet.
The brace was one of those with the hinged metal rods, and while it did keep my knee from twisting, it was like walking with one leg in hip deep mud.
It was exhausting to wear it for any length of time.
I spent nights and weekends cooking in a little cafe and was on my feet for hours at a time, and I think that job is what caused the problem.
About 5 years ago, I went to the knee doctor who did X-rays and told me that while it hurt like crazy, he wouldn't recommend surgery.
He gave me a shot of cortisone. The shot actually hurt more than the injury.
As others have said, it took a week or 2 to take effect, but when it kicked in, it was like a miracle.
That was 5 years ago, and it hasn't bothered since.
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I didn't opt for the injection. I was chicken. 🐔 I did the PT but I have to keep up with it or my knee lets me know. I also turned down the surgery. Glad you had great success.
 

hollydolly said:
you're so right abut the pain of the steroid injections. Oddly only one of my knees hurt.. and jeez that hurt like nothing else.. I nearly hit the ceiling . I wasn't expecting it either because they did my right knee first which is the most painful knee, and I really didn't feel a thing.. and then they did the left knee.. it took 2 of them to hold me down.. I nearly shot through the ceiling with the pain... :eek:😩

TBH it's the only thing putting me off having it done sooner.. but I must get some courage and have it done again...
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To be fair, the doc did tell me it was going to hurt before he injected me.
He just didn't tell me it would really, really, really hurt.
 
Cornhusker said:
To be fair, the doc did tell me it was going to hurt before he injected me.
He just didn't tell me it would really, really, really hurt.
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they didn't tell me it would hurt, so I was just expecting the usual slight pain of a needle going in.... and that is precisely what I got with the right knee.. so of course it never occurred to me when she reached over to inject the left knee that the pain would be excruciating... no warning at all... so I just nearly fell off the edge of the seat
 

VintageBetter said:
I know it sounds like an Old Wives' Tale, but I have found copper-infused braces/wraps really help with my localized arthritis pain. I do not have OA, that is more serious than the regular type, but if you buy a copper-infused knee sleeve from Amazon or similar, just read the return policy first. In most cases you can return the item if it doens't help.

I've also read others report that the steroid injections helped a lot.

You can also get a folding cane at Amazon for about $11.00 USD. Quite inexpensive and they have different colors and patterns. Carry a big purse and you can fold the cane up when you're out sitting down for dinner or a movie and toss it in your purse.
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My late husband had a total right knee replacement done in AZ just before we left in 2021. He had bad knees for years, mostly because of his job, but kept putting it off. He wore a copper lined knee brace before he had his surgery and he said it helped. Not a lot, but some. He had bone-on-bone and it was very painful. He had injections in his left knee also because it was going to have to be replaced but he passed away before that happened. Those injections helped him quite a bit.
 
Rose65 said:
I wondered if there is a simple inexpensive type of knee brace I could get to give some relief. Has anyone here had good results from a brace?
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Sometimes I use the plain pull-on stretchy compression knee supports if I'm having pain in the tendons behind my knee, but when I'm having a lot of pain (such as, a couple weeks ago suddenly any pivot left caused my right knee so much pain I couldn't use it), then I prefer using a pull-on stretchy brace that also has a knee cap donut and side-stays (probably not the correct terms but that is how I think of them).

I will put a link to the type I use and a pictureknee brace.jpg ...

https://www.amazon.com/NEENCA-Professional-Compression-Stabilizers-Arthritis/dp/B0997VXC6D/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=C2E28WZEQ5YR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sCrNzKmUbOKy_u3F5TKAx9SppRKk_H8ZxULMFPXGT8ZIh1X4fj8AEY3r5tKuHw8toGqQ7f6w-JS3ODsT1s3Ht6olzFLBkgmYRBBtA6WxoCAb1VB98vydAzShu8X0lg65ANQSpbCgzQBWr0upm5_DMwZtPk4qEidZxMZ1qcpKhncyeZtdwiIXkfFO4-w6LoGuZDiMar4Nc1HZN4HcIrRsxdBpDR2ZbcT3IaSqBnRQvNQLtETtk303WsjF2L3mqKO2vkpPCDzkLqaDs1SIsxGCYtKHgPBl2gZT7ZfCiW6TUCc.yLnpfNueIJg9eiiQjALspy9RZFwLNZGEAq4ZRmyRVhw&dib_tag=se&keywords=neenca+professional+knee+brace&qid=1717435642&sprefix=neenca+,aps,137&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
 
Colleen said:
My late husband had a total right knee replacement done in AZ just before we left in 2021. He had bad knees for years, mostly because of his job, but kept putting it off. He wore a copper lined knee brace before he had his surgery and he said it helped. Not a lot, but some. He had bone-on-bone and it was very painful. He had injections in his left knee also because it was going to have to be replaced but he passed away before that happened. Those injections helped him quite a bit.
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I'm sorry, it is incredibly hard that your husband passed away. Thankyou for the information, it is very useful. I intend to have the injections, along with anything else on offer. I never knew how painful this knee situation was going to become but also that there is plenty to be done about it.
 
hollydolly said:
they didn't tell me it would hurt, so I was just expecting the usual slight pain of a needle going in.... and that is precisely what I got with the right knee.. so of course it never occurred to me when she reached over to inject the left knee that the pain would be excruciating... no warning at all... so I just nearly fell off the edge of the seat
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Oh no, I am just going to have to be brave!
It was worth it though for you?
 
Rose65 said:
Oh no, I am just going to have to be brave!
It was worth it though for you?
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yes because by the time I had the injections I couldn't get up and downstairs in my house without absolute agonising pain or my knees collapsing on me , and me falling ..... and that all went away after 2 weeks... and I was back walking, dancing, driving , as I always had been prior to being diagnosed with the OA, 5 years earlier... the problem is of course that the steroid only lasts 3 months
 
I've had several cortisone shots in my wrists & thumb joints which were wonderful once they kicked in. Same with the first cortisone shot in my knee. For me, they didn't hurt that much & I'd do them again no matter what.
 
Update.
I am getting better, still slow but progressing. The naproxen has begun working well. I'm still very stiff, especially first thing, my knees won't bend much but I am able to do more light chores.
Somehow I have managed my personal care fine, doing everything very very carefully. Stairs are a challenge, again very very careful.
I've kept moving, kept a basic routine, as I never stay in bed unless absolutely forced to. Every day by 9a.m I am bathed, fully dressed and downstairs.
 
Better today thank goodness. Walking easier though still slow. The stiffness has eased, I can bend both knees . But my left knee feels unstable and I am glad I bought a good brace, it makes a huge difference. It fastens with velcro.

One point though on Naproxen. After 6 days I am now getting tummy ache and daily horrible headache. I better stop taking any more as I am on the mend. Has anyone had this reaction a few days after beginning this drug? It is very effective but harsh on the stomach. The GP knows this and I have the specially coated tablets that are taken 30 to 60 minutes before food, twice daily. I've cut down to once daily to reduce the side effects of yesterday.
 
Rose65 said:
Better today thank goodness. Walking easier though still slow. The stiffness has eased, I can bend both knees . But my left knee feels unstable and I am glad I bought a good brace, it makes a huge difference. It fastens with velcro.

One point though on Naproxen. After 6 days I am now getting tummy ache and daily horrible headache. I better stop taking any more as I am on the mend. Has anyone had this reaction a few days after beginning this drug? It is very effective but harsh on the stomach. The GP knows this and I have the specially coated tablets that are taken 30 to 60 minutes before food, twice daily. I've cut down to once daily to reduce the side effects of yesterday.
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This is the reason I don't take Naproxen. It was subscribed for my back pain a couple of decades ago.. and I would go into work and have the most horrendous stomach ache ... and further it didn't take my pain in my back away.
 
Actually, I'm reading up about knees. They are incredibly complex joints for which we need flexibility, strength. To walk, run, lift, get in and out of chairs. It's fascinating!

No wonder when inflammation sets in, life becomes so hard. I am seeing a physiotherapist soon and I want to know how to strengthen the muscles.

For now I am much recovered but find myself very slow using stairs, getting in and out of the bath, even putting socks on. I took my knees for granted for so long. The stiffness was awful, I was virtually at a standstill for some days, terrified I would never be free of pain. All this because I placed my knees under big stress by digging in the garden. Never again.
 
Rose65 said:
Actually, I'm reading up about knees. They are incredibly complex joints for which we need flexibility, strength. To walk, run, lift, get in and out of chairs. It's fascinating!

No wonder when inflammation sets in, life becomes so hard. I am seeing a physiotherapist soon and I want to know how to strengthen the muscles.

For now I am much recovered but find myself very slow using stairs, getting in and out of the bath, even putting socks on. I took my knees for granted for so long. The stiffness was awful, I was virtually at a standstill for some days, terrified I would never be free of pain. All this because I placed my knees under big stress by digging in the garden. Never again.
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it's not gardening Per se... it's general wear & tear throughout your life.

I was an athlete in my youth, and a dancer..... as an adult I was a mountain climber.. that is a trekker, rather than someone hanging off a rope.. so my knees were under incredible pressure walking up mountains.. I also have 2 homes both are at the top of very steep hills, so years of walking up those... I also spent many years 10 hours a day walking on concrete television studio floors.... .. and as all Physiotherapists will tell you the latter is extremely bad for the Knees and hips... they find that people like Chefs & nurses.., who are on their feet for 10 hours a day or more, are some of the people who suffer with knee and hip damage the most..

If you get steroid injections you can pretty much do everything you did before and it won't hurt.. like gardening for example...and definitely climbing stairs.

Currently because my last steroids have now worn off, I'm finding it painful to climb or descend stairs, my knees give way so I have to hold onto the bannisters to ensure I don't fall.... but after I come back from my trip ( I wish it was before)..I'll be getting more steroid in my knees and that will keep them pain free for another good while..

if you think of everything you've ever done where you relied on your legs.. running, dancing climbing, jumping, kneeling... that's what's done the damage..general wear & tear
 
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hollydolly said:
it's not gardening Per se... it's general wear & tear throughout your life.

I was an athlete in my youth, and a dancer..... as an adult I was a mountain climber.. that is a trekker, rather than someone hanging off a rope.. so my knees were under incredible pressure walking up mountains.. I also have 2 homes both are at the top of very steep hills, so years of walking up those... I also spent many years 10 hours a day walking on concrete television studio floors.... .. and as all Physiotherapists will tell you the latter is extremely bad for the Knees and hips... they find that people like Chefs & nurses.., who are on their feet for 10 hours a day or more, are some of the people who suffer with knee and hip damage the most..

If you get steroid injections you can pretty much do everything you did before and it won't hurt.. like gardening for example...and definitely climbing stairs.

Currently because my last steroids have now worn off, I'm finding it painful to climb or descend stairs, my knees give way so I have to hold onto the bannisters to ensure I don't fall.... but after I come back from my trip ( I wish it was before)..I'll be getting more steroid in my knees and that will keep them pain free for another good while..

if you think of everything you've ever done where you relied on your legs.. running, dancing climbing, jumping, kneeling... that's what's done the damage..general wear & tear
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My worry is that if I have steroid injections, won't I be damaging my knees by not feeling any pain when doing things? That may sound strange but it's my worry. I regard pain as a warning of damage.
 
Rose65 said:
My worry is that if I have steroid injections, won't I be damaging my knees by not feeling any pain when doing things? That may sound strange but it's my worry. I regard pain as a warning of damage.
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Your knees will be pain free or at least relatively so. You wouldn't be damaging your knees doing normal day to day things..

I mean for example, when my knees are due for steroid injections, I can't kneel. It's excruciatingly painful..like kneeling on Broken glass.. but when I get the injections I can kneel again... .. but I wouldn't deliberately kneel all day every day to put pressure on my knees or do anything out of the ordinary which would damage my knees... and neither would you..

Think of it like this.. the last time you had no or little pain in your knees... the injections will take you back to that... and will stay with you for several months... You'll walk up and downstairs, without pain, you'll sit with your knees bent without pain... you can kneel if you wish... just like you did Pre-Pain...
 
Hi Rose and I wish you some relief from your painful knees. 🤗

I have lived with a painful right knee and hip for about 7 years
now. Like so many others, lots of physical stress to the knee
coupled with Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis and one injury of
a torn meniscus about four years ago. Also I had developed
Bakers Cysts behind my right knee cap, and that was the most
painful. Various treatments and meds helped that resolve some
at the time.

What I treat my knee issues with are the occasional knee wrap
a good quality one (wear it maybe 5 hours daily during a flair).
Also OTC meds of Tylenol/Ibuprofen as needed. I have to keep
in motion with walking exercise, I always chose to not over-stress
the knee best I can.

Injections to the knee, I have had 'three' in the last seven years. Each
time I got relief, but not 100 %. Just enough perhaps of about 50%
to make things easier and my days less discomforts. The relief from
knee injections for me last about 'four' months. I chose to not get
too many. I've never had a painful injection, so far they have always
been just a pinch of discomfort for maybe 5 seconds, that is all upon
the needle going into my knee.

I am almost bone on bone in my right knee but just a ways to go still.

Knee problems, stiffness, pain, limitations of those joints are not fun,
and that is for certain.

Best wishes~
 
Thanks for all the information.

I am way better now, walking fairly ok and get very little pain during the day. At night I get stiff and wake with pain until I shift position. I will have steroid injections if I get to a stage when pain is too much. For now just a brace for the weaker unstable knee and a walking stick to provide support is doing the trick. I can do most things I need to though slowly.
 
I've had knee problems since 1988, and both have been "scoped". Maybe once a year one will act up and a knee brace brings relief. I have several kinds I bought on Ebay, and frankly in a given situation a different one seems to work better than the others. If you can, buy a few different ones and try them out.
 
An update on my knees.
I am pleased to say I am walking almost normally through slowly. It took a month but now almost no pain during the days though I still get achy pain that wakes me at night. I am not exactly running around, those days are gone, but I am much better and able to get all the important housework done.
 
For your knee flare-up, a simple, inexpensive knee brace might help with stability and pain relief while you wait for your appointments. Many have found comfort with adjustable neoprene braces.
 
Benjamin_24 said:
For your knee flare-up, a simple, inexpensive knee brace might help with stability and pain relief while you wait for your appointments. Many have found comfort with adjustable neoprene braces.
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Yes I wear one daily. I don't need my stick now but I walk carefully. It's a relief that all that big flare up has eased. I had a month of such pain.
 

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