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Knee trouble

Having a worrying time lately with the joints, especially the knees and feet. I know we have older fans on here and wondered what the collective wisdom is on this. Im early 50s and not sure what to do, in terms of reporting to a GP or joining a health scheme in the hope I'll get treatment later if needed.

I'd always assumed my bad footwear (never seem to get a comfortable pair of work shoes) was responsible but now not so sure. Have run for a few trains recently- not a good look I know- and that seems to have triggered it. Both knees feel inflamed at the same time. Previously it has gone after about a week or two. I've always been slim and fairly fit, even sporty in younger days. I'm now cutting back on salt (crisps) and upping the oily fish intake also drinking more in case it's hydration related.

Anyone able to share tips or advice from their experience?
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Comments

  • The only way you will know is to get it checked out , i dont wat to worry you but mine started out the same way and age , after a Mri scan turns out i need a left knee replacement and the ligaments are buggered in the right , and to top it all i have Arthritis in both .  
  • edited April 2023
    Thanks fadgadget. Sorry to hear of your troubles. Does sound like you've got a lot to.cope with there.

     The single reason why i'm reluctant to get it checked out is the long wait and poor care I'd expect in todays nhs while a health scheme may not cover me if I've reported it as a previous issue before I had a policy. Accepting however from what you say that i may be best off going one route or the other without further delay. 
  • Could be rheumatoid arthritis which commonly attacks large joints (and in the case of knees, both at the same time). May need to get blood tests done to measure the level of inflammation. 
  • I've got bad knees and ankles. 
    All the advice I got from the medical professionals wasn't worth a wank. 

    Someone recommended I use a rowing machine 3 or 4 times a week to strengthen them.
    It worked brilliantly for me.
    Maybe worth a try.
    Good luck.
  • Try Yumove. Works wonders for my dog. 
  • I've got bad knees and ankles. 
    All the advice I got from the medical professionals wasn't worth a wank. 

    Someone recommended I use a rowing machine 3 or 4 times a week to strengthen them.
    It worked brilliantly for me.
    Maybe worth a try.
    Good luck.
    Exercise bike can also be good for knee strengthening. 
  • I found swapping running for using motorised transport really helped most of my aches.

    Hope this helps
  • Had knee problems most of my adult life, came from growing too quick and playing about 20 hours of sport every week from the age of 12 to about 18. 

    Had twinges, aches and pains ever since now and then, but in the last 6 months has been pretty constant and I can't walk without a slight limp. Have an appointment with a physiotherapist at the Vanbrugh in Greenwich next week, and hoping we can find out the problem from there. Thankfully I get private healthcare through AXA so if surgery is the only option at least I'm covered and the wait won't be as long
  • I've got bad knees and ankles. 
    All the advice I got from the medical professionals wasn't worth a wank. 

    Someone recommended I use a rowing machine 3 or 4 times a week to strengthen them.
    It worked brilliantly for me.
    Maybe worth a try.
    Good luck.
    I’m having problems with one of my ankles. I go to the gym 3 times a week and usually do around 30 minutes on the treadmill as part of my routine (I also walk for about 30 minutes most mornings). Am fitter and stronger than I’ve been for a long time and I’m fine when running but my left ankle often feels weak at other times and like it’s going to give way. Have started doing ankle circle exercises this week which will hopefully help.
  • I had great knees all my life and have hiked 100s of miles over the years. Alsi in my early 50s (then) I started to feel slight niggle pain in one knee, inside and ended up having an arthroscopy in that one. I had another in the right one 18 months later as I had a meniscus tear in both.  

    Both knees are still fecked and I can only do a few miles now. Someone wrote on here a while back that once your knees start playing up they don’t really get better unless you have a replacement. But you really need to have them looked at. If you don’t want it on your doctors records then I’d go to a private physio first and see if they can tell what they think it is.

    It’s depressing. 
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  • Curb_It said:
    I had great knees all my life and have hiked 100s of miles over the years. Alsi in my early 50s (then) I started to feel slight niggle pain in one knee, inside and ended up having an arthroscopy in that one. I had another in the right one 18 months later as I had a meniscus tear in both.  

    Both knees are still fecked and I can only do a few miles now. Someone wrote on here a while back that once your knees start playing up they don’t really get better unless you have a replacement. But you really need to have them looked at. If you don’t want it on your doctors records then I’d go to a private physio first and see if they can tell what they think it is.

    It’s depressing. 
    We’re getting old B and you’re right, it is depressing. 

    I have to leave a day in between gym visits now and tried replacing one with a swim session. I find swimming so boring though.

    Gone are the days when I could play a double header on a Sunday morning, then 5 a side in the afternoon. 
  • Micro surgery maybe all you need to sort out the problem. I could hardly walk and half a day in hospital sorted that out. Rheumatism hasn’t gone so both knees stiff in the morning before I get moving.
    I was shocked that the surgeon was quite clear that I would need my knees replaced at some point and that the vast majority of people should expect this!

    Private insurance sounds sensible before you start complaining to your GP.
  • Redrobo said:
    Micro surgery maybe all you need to sort out the problem. I could hardly walk and half a day in hospital sorted that out. Rheumatism hasn’t gone so both knees stiff in the morning before I get moving.
    I was shocked that the surgeon was quite clear that I would need my knees replaced at some point and that the vast majority of people should expect this!

    Private insurance sounds sensible before you start complaining to your GP.
    Definitely, but a caveat is that some have a qualifying time period for conditions that had to be already present but not yet diagnosed. Always check the small print.

  • edited April 2023
    My wife needs two knee replacements. Puts much of it down to playing a lot of netball and tennis on hard courts. On NHS list for one but is going privately for the worst one in a month to six weeks. Expensive but worth it.

    I’m a tad older and a lot heavier but my knees are fine. Luck of the draw I suppose.
  • I found swapping running for using motorised transport really helped most of my aches.

    Hope this helps
    I've been doing this lately for silly little trips that I'd normally walk. E.g. to the station,  then getting on a hire bike the other end of the commute.

    Swimming too has always been good for me but I had to stop through the colder months as I had virus after virus. I think building the strength up again is vital as blackpool said above about rowing.

    It's that sinking feeling today that's hit me, the depression side of it, and tonight i have finally got round to researching health insurance policies, starting at the Money Saving Expert site and taking on board the comments on here.

    Thanks all.
  • For relief from knee pain I highly recommend KT tape. 
    Look up on YouTube to find the best application for your type of pain
  • My unscientific opinion, based on my being surrounded by runners and triathletes, would be to find a good physiotherapist and let them take look. If your problem is triggered by running find someone who deals with runners. They normally can identify if is mechanical or something more problematic. 

    A friend of mine had terrible knee and ankle problems. Multiple doctors recommended strength exercises, suggested he was over training, and all sorts of different shoes. Someone recommended a specific physio, who took one look at him on the treadmill and said he’d got an ACL problem. Sent him to a doctor who concurred. The problem was he didn’t have an ACL. He’d torn it so long ago it what pretty much disappeared, something the other medical experts had missed. Got a nice new ACL, problem mostly solved. 
  • It might be worth speaking to your doctor and asking for a blood test. When I was in my late 30’s, I had problems with Bursitis and Tendonitis. It turns out I had the rheumatoid factor which was causing it. Steroid injections into the joints and anti-inflammatories, drinking loads of water to flush out the toxins and a change in diet cured me. 
  • I’ve got an arthritic knee caused by far too much sport in my 20s - squash 5-6 times a week plus 2 football games. I’ve had a couple of cortisone injections but they have diminishing effect each time typically. Recently, I had a lubricant injected; my specialist calls it WD40! It costs about £250 but makes a difference plus you can have it multiple times - the length of time it benefits will vary, though. There is also a gel which acts as a lubricant and penetrates through the skin available over the counter which is less effective, but good apparently. I’ve not tried this yet and don’t know cost. I was also recommended a Thuasne knee support which cost me £300. It is marvellous if I’m on my feet for a long while either walking or standing. It will easily get me round the 9-mile Upbeats walk! Also, I used to struggle with steep hills when walking downwards; this makes a huge difference. Inbox me if you want more details.
  • Herself has a bad knee and finds CDB cream works really well.
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  • Done physio for a while after knee puffed up last august  having played cricket ,didn’t work, so went to knee/leg specialist (same bloke who done my Achilles ten years back)
    MRI scan (uuuurgh claustrophobic small panic wibble even though head out of tube ) and have torn meniscus 
    so arthroscopy tomorrow , gone private paying myself think £4.3k 🤮 prolly nearer 5k with scan and consultancy .
    had arthroscopy 16 years ago and surgeon said there was arthritis in there but from scan this fella said doesn’t look like that’s returned but will confirm when he has a look around knee tomorrow .
    Fcuk getting old (52) 
  • Last year I started wearing Sketcher trainers as they were supposed to be really comfortable and I started to have knee problems.. Unfortunately the memory insole exaggerated my tendency towards being knock-kneed causing extra strain and my knees started to hurt badly. When I figured the cause ( the insoles were really down on one side) the trainers got binned, my other shoes got re-heeled to get rid of the wear on the in side of the heel and made an effort to walk heel-toe. My knees swiftly improved and now have no problem. I am in my early 70s.

    I note you have problems finding comfortable shoes. Check out the heels and see if they are wearing on one side rather than at the rear. If you have then the various exercise will help correct the problem as well as walking heel-toe.


  • edited April 2023
    Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
    All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
    Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
    Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
    Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
    I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
    I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
    I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

    A good physio should be able to help.

    But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼
  • I recommend taking up yoga.
  • edited April 2023
    I badly injured my right knee when I was 20 (playing football). I played through the pain until I was 33, then it was too much. Am in constant pain now but I have got used to it and I find going for a long walk in the morning (it helps having a dog) helps a lot. I can't run anymore, but I can walk and if I do try to run it is a waddle!

    My knee joint came out of its socket and went back in as I caught my foot on the ground. I was told I needed an op and couldn't play football again. I decided to play and not have the op which wasn't one of the options. I always suffered the day after a game but managed 13 years (I cobverted myself to a keeper for the last three) although I wasn't as good as before the injury.  

    My advice is to keep as active as you can with activities like walking.
  • edited April 2023

    Last year I started wearing Sketcher trainers as they were supposed to be really comfortable and I started to have knee problems.. Unfortunately the memory insole exaggerated my tendency towards being knock-kneed causing extra strain and my knees started to hurt badly. When I figured the cause ( the insoles were really down on one side) the trainers got binned, my other shoes got re-heeled to get rid of the wear on the in side of the heel and made an effort to walk heel-toe. My knees swiftly improved and now have no problem. I am in my early 70s.

    I note you have problems finding comfortable shoes. Check out the heels and see if they are wearing on one side rather than at the rear. If you have then the various exercise will help correct the problem as well as walking heel-toe.


    This especially resonates with me. Had a similar trouble with a pair of sketchers aboit 12 years ago. I now realise my latest trouble almost coincides with me switching to some super duper insoles in my work shoes about a month ago. I've ditched them today back to a more standard pair.

    I think I'm getting referred pain up from the feet, a cumulative effect with an underlying cause. The hips aren't too good either. I will get round to seeing a physio too, then  consider options from there.

    As ever great advice. Thanks all.
  • Done physio for a while after knee puffed up last august  having played cricket ,didn’t work, so went to knee/leg specialist (same bloke who done my Achilles ten years back)
    MRI scan (uuuurgh claustrophobic small panic wibble even though head out of tube ) and have torn meniscus 
    so arthroscopy tomorrow , gone private paying myself think £4.3k 🤮 prolly nearer 5k with scan and consultancy .
    had arthroscopy 16 years ago and surgeon said there was arthritis in there but from scan this fella said doesn’t look like that’s returned but will confirm when he has a look around knee tomorrow .
    Fcuk getting old (52) 
    Good luck oohaah. Is that local anaesthetic for arthroscopy? 
  • I had a knee replacement a couple of years ago. It cost a few bob but well worth it. Luckily I joined Benenden health many years ago and it worked out cheaper than Bupa etc. The consultants there are very good and it’s a very nice hospital. 
  • There are so many things it could be.  My husband started to have problems with his knees in his early 50s which was found to be due to osteoarthritis.  He had first knee replaced in 2013 and the other 2021.  Both his Mother and Sister had knee replacements due to osteoarthritis. He is now on the waiting list for a shoulder replacement which has come as quite a shock as he expected the Consultant to say the restriction of movement and pain he complains of was just 'old age' and there was not a lot to be done for it.
  • Mine started 7-8 years ago with a bit of pain.  Had them scanned / x-rayed and start of osteoarthritis.  Consequence of lots of football in my 20's and another underlying medical complaint that makes joint trouble more likely.  Warned then that ultimately replacement was needed.

    Then coming out of lock down I suddenly found that I could only do a minute or so of strenuous rowing before they got really painful - that point I had physio which did help stabilise the joints (but no more rowing)

    Recently got much worse and I'm struggling to do even lightly weighted squats.   I've started steroid injections (covered by work medical insurance for now) and may try PRP.  Consultant said it was probably still too early for replacement but it is getting closer.  I'll be 60 in a couple of years and I suspect they'll need doing before I retire.

    I definitely think exercise / physio to help strengthen the muscles etc around the knee helps but ultimately it can only go so far.  Managed to avoid strong painkillers so far but I can see that happening as the impact of the injections wear off
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