Osteoarthrosis

Bournemouth Addick

Well, as promised, after the marathon I went to the doc's to get myself checked out and yesterday got my x-ray results back. Was hoping for something 'fixable' but apparently I now officially have osteoarthrosis in my right kneee causing the pain and swelling. Suspected it would be but very depressing all the same and, this is the killer, I'm only 43 so all you young pups out there beware!

Doc reckons it's not directly related to my many years of running and in fact my general levels of fitness may help manage the situation to a degree but it's probably caused due to the knee arthroscopy I had as a result of a football injury in my early 20's. He's now advised that at some stage I will require a replacement so need to weigh up how much exercise I can get away with against any potential damage.

Still not quite sunk in that I may not be able to do what I used to be able to do or has given me so much over the years.

Anyone got an tips or useful websites they can share?

DRF

I had a horse riding accident when I was 15 and was orginally told I would grow out of it and then told I had early signs of osteoarthritis due to it not being delt with and left to 'set in'.

Not sure how closely these relate but I do have 20 year of pain-management experience related to it! Firstly get a magnetic band. These work wonder once. They will make you feel a little sick for a few days but you'll feel better after that and the benefit lasts about two years but I have found after that one 'dose' they never really worked again.

I found acupunture the best long term cure but I also found that it was best when accompanied by the osteopath every six moths.
I found more exercise or none made little difference but excercises were out - for me swimming was out as it was unsupported excercise but you might find it good for a knee problem.

Try ibuprophen gell rather than tabelets as you can use a lot of it and always have an emergancy heat rub in the cupbaord. But also do take pain killers when it hurts as the tendancy is to rub pain and this type of problem can be made worse from rubbing and actually pain killers to relax is a better cure.

I don't know if this is any help but I hope there's something here you can use,

razil

think I'm in that club too mate, dreading that news when it comes

smiffyboy

I've had it since I was 28 as a result of playing loads of football tearing a cartilage and having a big chunk taken out resulting in my bone banging together.4 years on Some days the pain is a killer and really gets me down I can't even run for a bus, but what kills more than anything my 6 year old son loves having a kick about and I just cant manage more than 10-15 minutes, breaks my heart. They say they can break my knee and twist it slightly so that the good side will bear most of the weight and pounding but requires 12 weeks off work being self employed this is not feesable so on I have to struggle.

LargeAddick

Mrs L has just been diagnosed with it in both knees, only 43. Somedays she walks as if she is 83.

Strasburger

Not the end of the world, I am 35 and have it at an advanced stage in my spine and hips, they only found out after I broke my back in 2010. No real answer as to how I ended up with it, but all my early years of cycling for 4+ hours a day added to the problem.
I have to visit an osteopath once a month for back realignment, hips will need replacing sometime in the next 20 years.
Support, first and foremost don't let it get you down to much, what has happened has, and now is the time to manage the situation. A few life style changes (you say you run) find something else sporting, I changed from running/cycling to swimming and got myself a hottub for the back garden (so much fun ;-) )
Sign up to this site http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/forums/?gclid=CMjPrYmLlLACFUYntAodk0-5qw (don't let the name put you off, there are many 20 - 30 and 40 somethings with the same issues)
Please please try not to reply on major pain medication, I did for about 6 months after I broke my back and got myself in a right old pickle, however the gel is a very good idea I would think.
Go and see a good osteopath and see what they can offer.

Also I found taking up new pass times (making beer for me) goes a very long way to help with the changes that are needed.

You can always private me if you need any more help.

Bournemouth Addick

Cheers for the replies so far chaps. Some useful info/tips already. I basically managed to get through the marathon training dosed up on anti-inflam's and gels. Will look into one of those magnetic bands and already signed up for a kayak session so trying to think of it as an opportunity more than a problem.

smiffyboy

Large that's what I'm like I feel like I'm trapped in an old mans body, my dads the same but never got it till early 40's he's 57 now and had both replaced in the last year and said it's the best thing he had done.

DRF

On the brightside I should have said that I spent most of my 20s in pain and its so frustrating as there was never a 'comfortable position' to rest in. But I tried and tried a mix of loads of different methods and although it took ten years I manage the pain reasonably well now.

I do remember what it was like in the worst days when I thought I would never be able to be comfortable again and would be completely immobile by 40. That is now distant fear and although I know it will return it's always better than it was.

Be warned though, when you mention it other people will reply about how their knees, back, feet etc ache and you have to swallow the reply about them really not knowing what pain means!

Scoham

http://www.hordercentre.co.uk

24 Red

I have the same thing in my right knee - a result of having the ACL rebuilt 15 years ago. Apparently it is almost inevitable after that. The downside is that there isn't a cure and it is progressive if you carry on putting it under strain. So I had to stop running immediately and completely, after running 50 miles per week for the previous ten years. The upside is that it is manageable by changing to another exercise routine - in my case cycling. Also, keep your weight down.

stilladdicted

My son also had the knee problems with very similar origins and he visited a gait specialist to ascertain what type of trainer he should buy and to have his running gait analysed and to have corrective techniques advised. This seemed to involve a lot of building up certain muscle groups and a lot of rolling around on the floor. He still thinks that this was the most useful thing he ever did apart from doing a whole lot of swimming and cycling. He's since done two iron men ( although his running/walking speeds were crap). I thought that having to give up his football would destroy him, and it did knock him back for a year or so but then he just decided that he was going to start with something new. That was five years ago and his knee appears to be more settled than we had ever dreamt would be possible, so take heart and don't let the gloom devour you. Mind you, my son is completely bonkers!

Shrew

A lot of symptons are more about inflammation around the osteoarthrosis, diet can make a huge difference to this as can work with an alexander teacher. Both really helped to sort out my knee condition.

pboroaddick

I was diagnosed some 10 years ago now. Mine was due to Football and Badminton over many years. Also as time has gone on my weight increased. Recently I was told that every pound over weight is effectively 3 times that in load bearing on my knees. Following diet and exercise I have lost 2 stone and do not now need to take any anti inflammatory tablets before playing golf. Also been some good articles in the papers recently that when the time comes it is possible to have a partial knee replacement, considerably quicker recovery time. Good luck, it sounds as though at the moment your problem is manageable.

Oliver Street

Hi Bournemouth Addick (I will miss our trips to Dean Court!), 15 years after an ACL reconstruction + various keyhole ops, I was also diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the left knee. If you're a bit bow-legged and the OA is just on the inner section of your knee, you might think about a High Tibial Osteotomy... cut a wedge from your tibia and realign it in order to unload the arthritic area. I had this big op six months ago and am just getting back to playing tennis.

All the better if you can sort it with ointments, magnets, pills etc. but they didn't work for me.

Get all the specialist advice you can. Good luck!

Funkrat

i was diagnosed at 35, (im 41 now) have severe osteo in my left elbow (no cartilage left at all and can only bend it just over 45 degrees) had an op to remove some bone to relieve the pain, this is only a temp solution and will need it replaced at some point but will hold off until absolutely necessary as elbow replacements are not good at all, have had both my hips replaced in the last 3 years (resurfaced) also had a hip arthroscopy before that, where they remove bone to free up the joint but that did not work, i have also had 2 arthroscopy's to my right knee and 1 to my left knee , my knee's problems were caused the issues i had with my hips and the way i had been walking running. ive had 7 operations in 6 years due to arthritis or issues its caused, and although it can get you down it does not mean the end of doing sport etc , i took up karate after i first was diagnosed and although not the best of ideas have train regularly, keeping fit is the key, strengthen the muscles around the joint as much as possible this will help,high impact is not recomended with any arthritus so things like running are not good for me but, but you need to keep the joint moving as much as possible, so as has been mentioned already swimming and low impact sports are recomemended. The difference after having my hips replaced is unreal, and although my flexiblity is still not great i am able to play most sports as long as im not silly and over do it(and keep impact low if possible . The key is to do loads of research and find the right specialist, luckly mine has all been done privately though medical insurance, (i was lucky and my hips were done by the same surgeon(richard villar) who did roy keanes hip operation when he still playing,my doctor is a total waste of time, at the beginning he told me i had golfer elbow and even argued that i was to young to have arthritus and i didnt have it, only when shown my xrays did he change his tune,so dont take no for an answer and let your doctor fob you off if they try. Dont give up, there are break throughs happening all the time and the replacement joints they now use are improving year on year. Staying positive does help ive found.

LoOkOuT

A few bob marleys will sort you out.

Stefco

Keep your chin up Bournemouth! A couple of extra possibilities here for you.

I'm 33 & have arthritis in my feet, ankles & knees. I'm a few months away from an ankle fusion & only a couple of years from knee replacements. There is not much else I can do about the ankles & knees, re:the surgery, but the arthritis has been helped significantly by taking Glucosamine suppliments for the past couple of years.

I went from nights of agony & very little sleep, to pain free, for the most part. Glucosamine takes a few weeks to a month to get in the system, but it really does help.

MBT shoes/trainers have also helped alleviate pain & discomfort, & enabled me to get about much more freely than I was previously able. Whilst these may not be recommended for everyone, it's worth an enquiry about whether or not you should try a pair. You do occasionally look like a Subbuteo player from the side, but they have really helped my feet, knees & ankles over the past couple of years.

Whatever you do mate, the best of luck to you!

smiffyboy

Oliver that is the operation they have told me that I need to have, how long was you off it for and has it worked.

Oliver Street

Oliver that is the operation they have told me that I need to have, how long was you off it for and has it worked.

Hi Smiffyboy, I was lucky to be able to work from home for about six weeks (bored rigid!). I was on crutches, had a full leg brace and was only partial weight-bearing. I really needed those 6-8 weeks... couldn't have driven far (even with auto) because the leg needed to be elevated, periodically iced and not kept in the same position for too long.

I apparently had just a small patch of worn cartilage on the inside of the knee. It's just over six months since the HTO and I'm now returning to tennis (doubles only for a while). I still have some tenderness below the knee but that might be the plate which is coming out in November. The physio tells me I'll be able to return to singles tennis again

smiffyboy

Cheers, good luck with the recovery, I think I really need to do this but I'm a self employed spark so all that time off will be a killer but the way things are going some days I struggle at work up and down ladders etc that I won't be able to continue this career so maybe 10 weeks off is better in the long run.

kimbo

Knew for years that I have arthritis in my left hip now in my right:(. Going to be referred to another consultant. Years ago they said I was too young for surgery but now I have turned 50 maybe they can do something.

Kap10

Speak to a nutritionist, diet does affect osteoarthritis, so modify your diet.

Oakster

i have it in my ankle (from a broken ankle years ago) & right knee - get a shot of Neovisc or Synvisc every now & again in the affected joints, still play football every week & will be out in an hour or so on the Mountain Bike dodging the bears...don't let it beat you!

ct_addick

I am 49 (50 next month) and have had it diagnosed in my right knee and right ankle. I had ankle ligament replacement surgery 4 years ago which helped stabilise the ankle and had the heel bone cut in half and shifted over to the left to provide support. I still play O48 footie and basically start taking the wonder drug ibuprofen on a Friday in order to play Sunday. My attitude is if I need ankle fusion or knee replacement so be it. I just want to keep playing and excercising until I am forced to quit. Icing after a game or exercise helps. I gave up jogging though and ride a bike for cardio and have had a trainer help me with strengthening and stability exercises. My sister-in-law has had knee injections with a drug called eulflexxa which she swears by and she is running again so may go down that route. Good Luck.

guinnessaddick

I am 49 (50 next month) and have had it diagnosed in my right knee and right ankle. I had ankle ligament replacement surgery 4 years ago which helped stabilise the ankle and had the heel bone cut in half and shifted over to the left to provide support. I still play O48 footie and basically start taking the wonder drug ibuprofen on a Friday in order to play Sunday. My attitude is if I need ankle fusion or knee replacement so be it. I just want to keep playing and excercising until I am forced to quit. Icing after a game or exercise helps. I gave up jogging though and ride a bike for cardio and have had a trainer help me with strengthening and stability exercises. My sister-in-law has had knee injections with a drug called eulflexxa which she swears by and she is running again so may go down that route. Good Luck.

Facing my 3rd op in 20 months on my ankle in July. Had microfrature and ankle ligamet replacement, this time having OATS, taking bone and cartilage out of my knee, breaking my ankle to insert it. Along with having heel bone cut and shifted over.
I hope after that I might be able to walk without being in pain. Have tried ibuprofen & glucosamine, neither seem to improve my condition, I know I need to get some weight off, rarely have a drink and do eat heathly, perhaps too much.

BIG_ROB

Sorry to read that mate. I know a fella who was riddled with arthritis at a relatively young age (late 30's). After trying all the meds that were immediately available and not feeling any benefit, his specialist recommended that he try a new form of treatment, where he has to self inject the meds every day, this has been a revelation and he is back leading a relatively "normal" life again. He's a CAFC season ticket holder and is coming to stay with me on Saturday week; I'll pick his brains and get some info for anyone who may be interested.

I've had gout on and off since I was 19 (16 years) and know the pain well, but would like to echo what Strasburger had to say regarding the use of pain killers. Thankfully I'm on top of it now, but I'm stuck with the side affects caused by the illness.

Bournemouth Addick

Haven't had time to catch with this as been away for a couple of days but thank you all so much for the advice, support and tips. Reading some of the posts certainly puts my (minor) condition into perspective.

Looks like I've got lots of researching to do over the next few weeks!