Any thoughts on knee braces?

[hollydolly]

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.

I'm pleased to hear you only had a few weeks of pain... keep looking after your knees to try and offset any future problems...

Tomorrow morning I go for steroid injections in both knees..I've got to the point now that the pain keeps me awake at night... again... as well as causing my legs to collapse under me when going up and downstairs.. and great pain after I've been driving.. so the cortisone will ease the pain for 3 or 4 months again...

 

[Rose65]

I'm pleased to hear you only had a few weeks of pain... keep looking after your knees to try and offset any future problems...

Tomorrow morning I go for steroid injections in both knees..I've got to the point now that the pain keeps me awake at night... again... as well as causing my legs to collapse under me when going up and downstairs.. and great pain after I've been driving.. so the cortisone will ease the pain for 3 or 4 months again...

I hope all goes well, do tell us about the effects please. I will keep this treatment in mind as I do get pain at night actually more than in the day. No matter where I put my knees I get uncomfortable with jabbing pains in the one particularly. In daytime I've learned to move slow and careful, a brace on the one that threatens to give way.

 

[hollydolly]

I hope all goes well, do tell us about the effects please. I will keep this treatment in mind as I do get pain at night actually more than in the day. No matter where I put my knees I get uncomfortable with jabbing pains in the one particularly. In daytime I've learned to move slow and careful, a brace on the one that threatens to give way.

Rose I can tell yo now, because I get it ever few months. it's as i aid before.. the pain is vastly reduced within 2 weeks of the steroid injections, and remains so for several months. It mean that I can do everything as normal again , drive, dance, run, walk , garden.. whatever... without pain.

On the NHS you have to be referred by your GP..if they think your knees warrant further treatment ..because the GP ill always recommend you have physio first. I had physio for several years and it didn't help.. and it was a Harley street doctor who diagnosed the Osteoarthritis in my knees after some X-rays... I was then referred by my GP..to the NHS clinic.. that took 3 months for the first set of injections... then after that I can just call them direct for further injections, no need to go through the GP..as long as it's within 6 months..

if you prefer to have it done privately you can pay any private GP to do it in their surgery .. and you won't have to wait on a waiting list

 

[Rose65]

Rose I can tell yo now, because I get it ever few months. it's as i aid before.. the pain is vastly reduced within 2 weeks of the steroid injections, and remains so for several months. It mean that I can do everything as normal again , drive, dance, run, walk , garden.. whatever... without pain.

On the NHS you have to be referred by your GP..if they think your knees warrant further treatment ..because the GP ill always recommend you have physio first. I had physio for several years and it didn't help.. and it was a Harley street doctor who diagnosed the Osteoarthritis in my knees after some X-rays... I was then referred by my GP..to the NHS clinic.. that took 3 months for the first set of injections... then after that I can just call them direct for further injections, no need to go through the GP..as long as it's within 6 months..

if you prefer to have it done privately you can pay any private GP to do it in their surgery .. and you won't have to wait on a waiting list

The GP has indeed referred me to physio and said I can have steroid injections anytime. I feel I should wait for now. I suppose I am scared.

 

[hollydolly]

The GP has indeed referred me to physio and said I can have steroid injections anytime. I feel I should wait for now. I suppose I am scared.

yes do not rush into Steroid injections. Explore the Physio first, then see how that goes. Steroid injections are the last thing before knee replacements so you have quit a way to go yet... but if physio doesn't work for you then do ask for the Steroid injections.. they're not pain free.. but they are God sent to relieve pain for several months... some people actually get relief for ever, and never need them again..you might be one of those..

 

[Rose65]

yes do not rush into Steroid injections. Explore the Physio first, then see how that goes. Steroid injections are the last thing before knee replacements so you have quit a way to go yet... but if physio doesn't work for you then do ask for the Steroid injections.. they're not pain free.. but they are God sent to relieve pain for several months... some people actually get relief for ever, and never need them again..you might be one of those..

While I wait, I do my own gentle stretching exercises which have really been very helpful. Just strengthening your muscles, keeping moving, warm baths and good painkillers, rest when needed and knowing how not to overdo things. There is a lot we can do as well as taking prescribed anti-inflammatory pills . I panicked at first but our bodies are miracles of healing ability.
A combination of all possible sensible help is highly effective. The one thing is not to be helpless and assume you are disabled.

 

[hollydolly]

While I wait, I do my own gentle stretching exercises which have really been very helpful. Just strengthening your muscles, keeping moving, warm baths and good painkillers, rest when needed and knowing how not to overdo things. There is a lot we can do as well as taking prescribed anti-inflammatory pills . I panicked at first but our bodies are miracles of healing ability.
A combination of all possible sensible help is highly effective. The one thing is not to be helpless and assume you are disabled.

yes all that's correct and works if it's muscular problems, unfortunately it doesn't work if the cartilage has gone and the knees is grinding bone on bone...

One thing is despite Osteoarthritis in my hands, and fingers.. and in both knees.. and 7 herniated discs in my spine..I have NEVER referred to myself as Disabled.. I continue to live my life exactly how I did all my life, and before I had any ailments.. but just with the help of some pain relief...