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Pain In Knee Joint, Sensation Of Momentary Collapse In Knee Joint. Want To Avoid Knee Replacement. Additional Steps?
Question: I am 77 and just beginning to have knee joint problem, twinges of pain and a sensation of momemtary collapsing in the knee joint...I want to avoid knee replacement as long as I can...I can still walk about 30 minutes with minor soreness after...what additional steps should I take?
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
From your symptoms it seems that both of your knee joints have undergone osteoarthritic changes. These are basically age related degenerative changes in the weight bearing joints like knee and is characterized by joint pain and stiffness. Upon movement the stiffness gradually relives. Sometimes application of hot pads can make the movement possible.
You can retard these degenerative changes by doing hot fomentation and taking lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin , dycerin, etc under the guidance of your orthopedician along with some life style modifications and physiotherapy.
It is suggested to add calcium supplements 500mg each twice daily. This will take care of your mild symptoms.
You can start with walking and aerobic fitness exercises, quadriceps strengthening, patellar tapping, lateral heel wedges, etc- under the guidance of your physiotherapist.
A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than your knees.
In severe cases intra articular injections of steroids and hyaluronic acid may be needed after consultation with your orthopaedician.
I also encourage you to consult an orthopedician for physical examination. A few blood tests, X-rays of the knee, CT / MRI scans of the knee will help us diagnose the condition and help us in choosing the best approach of treatment.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Thanks for posting your query.
From your symptoms it seems that both of your knee joints have undergone osteoarthritic changes. These are basically age related degenerative changes in the weight bearing joints like knee and is characterized by joint pain and stiffness. Upon movement the stiffness gradually relives. Sometimes application of hot pads can make the movement possible.
You can retard these degenerative changes by doing hot fomentation and taking lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin , dycerin, etc under the guidance of your orthopedician along with some life style modifications and physiotherapy.
It is suggested to add calcium supplements 500mg each twice daily. This will take care of your mild symptoms.
You can start with walking and aerobic fitness exercises, quadriceps strengthening, patellar tapping, lateral heel wedges, etc- under the guidance of your physiotherapist.
A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than your knees.
In severe cases intra articular injections of steroids and hyaluronic acid may be needed after consultation with your orthopaedician.
I also encourage you to consult an orthopedician for physical examination. A few blood tests, X-rays of the knee, CT / MRI scans of the knee will help us diagnose the condition and help us in choosing the best approach of treatment.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the good advice. But I'm having a not unexpected at my age deterioration in the all of the critical 6 joints moving up from both knees, both hips and to both shoulder joints...that is pain (about 3 on the 10 scale when not moving) to about 6-7 when moving and putting weight on them. I have had mri's of one shoulder and XRAYS of the knees. None of these are at the stage where I am in pain 24/7 or immobile...only when sit or exercise too long. Rather than an unnessary return visit to the orthopedist, what should be my priorities here in trying to strengthen the muscles and ligaments involved...should I go to a physical therapist to establish exercises that will not make things worse, first and then to personal trainer who can start me on a weight and exercise equipment program. Presently I just walk for 20-30 minutes and do so infrequently and in pain.
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
You can go to a physical therapist for the required exercises but along with that, you have to start taking joint lubricants so that further wear and tear of the joints can be prevented. You can get the appropriate dosages of glucosamine sulphate prescribed from your orthopedician.
Exercise is necessary but to smoothly carry out all the exercises, medicines will help you.
You can continue walking five days a week with the help of mild pain killers like acetaminophen, hot fomentation and local analgesic gels.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Thanks for writing again.
You can go to a physical therapist for the required exercises but along with that, you have to start taking joint lubricants so that further wear and tear of the joints can be prevented. You can get the appropriate dosages of glucosamine sulphate prescribed from your orthopedician.
Exercise is necessary but to smoothly carry out all the exercises, medicines will help you.
You can continue walking five days a week with the help of mild pain killers like acetaminophen, hot fomentation and local analgesic gels.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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