Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedy For Hip And Knee Pain After Angioplasty Surgery
Question: Dear Doctor,
I hope to inquire about my mother-in-law. She had knee problem (inflammation) since she was very young and have been having some difficulty climbing stairs for many years of her life. However, for the past year, it's getting worse and she had to avoid pretty much all stairs. She also had great difficulty standing up from a sitting position. Note when she stands, she has no issue and can even stand on 1 leg. She also has difficulty to lift up her upper leg when needed - such as getting into our SUV - she has to use her hands to life up her legs. Half a year ago, she felt pain on her left calf and had difficulty to walk long. It turned out that she had serious blockage on the artery of left leg. An angioplasty surgery was done several months ago and it went very well. The pain went away on her calf and she feels better when walking. However, this didn't seem to alleviate any of the climbing stairs and standing up from sitting related problem. She also complains that sometime when walking, she occasionally feel her legs suddenly weakened and herself almost falling down. She never did and normally this feeling went away quickly.
She did not seem to feel any other pain either on her hips, lower back or legs. She eats healthy diet, exercise regularly and always in good spirit.
We understand the long term problem with her knees is a contributing factor of her current issue. But i wonder if there is anything else need to be checked on her? We met with her angioplasty surgeon today for a post surgery check up. When observing her struggling to stand up from her chair, the doctor said there could be some problem with her hip. He suggested us to see a Orthopedist and a neurologist. My in-law found it hard to believe that she has hip problem especially as she never felt any pain.
I wonder if you have any suggestions for her next step?
Thanks!
XXXX
I hope to inquire about my mother-in-law. She had knee problem (inflammation) since she was very young and have been having some difficulty climbing stairs for many years of her life. However, for the past year, it's getting worse and she had to avoid pretty much all stairs. She also had great difficulty standing up from a sitting position. Note when she stands, she has no issue and can even stand on 1 leg. She also has difficulty to lift up her upper leg when needed - such as getting into our SUV - she has to use her hands to life up her legs. Half a year ago, she felt pain on her left calf and had difficulty to walk long. It turned out that she had serious blockage on the artery of left leg. An angioplasty surgery was done several months ago and it went very well. The pain went away on her calf and she feels better when walking. However, this didn't seem to alleviate any of the climbing stairs and standing up from sitting related problem. She also complains that sometime when walking, she occasionally feel her legs suddenly weakened and herself almost falling down. She never did and normally this feeling went away quickly.
She did not seem to feel any other pain either on her hips, lower back or legs. She eats healthy diet, exercise regularly and always in good spirit.
We understand the long term problem with her knees is a contributing factor of her current issue. But i wonder if there is anything else need to be checked on her? We met with her angioplasty surgeon today for a post surgery check up. When observing her struggling to stand up from her chair, the doctor said there could be some problem with her hip. He suggested us to see a Orthopedist and a neurologist. My in-law found it hard to believe that she has hip problem especially as she never felt any pain.
I wonder if you have any suggestions for her next step?
Thanks!
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Osteoarthritis likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
From the symptoms it seems that both of her 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.
The treatment options include pain killers, hot fomentation, lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin , dycerin, etc and some life style modifications and physiotherapy.
She can start with walking and aerobic fitness exercises, quadriceps strengthening, patellar tapping, lateral heel wedges, etc- under the guidance of her physiotherapist.
A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than the knees.
Knee brace can also be used for an earlier and prolonged relief.
In severe cases intra articular injections of steroids and hyaluronic acid may be needed after consultation with an 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.
A problem in the hip is less likely but a physical examination is mandatory to rule this out.
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.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Osteoarthritis likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
From the symptoms it seems that both of her 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.
The treatment options include pain killers, hot fomentation, lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin , dycerin, etc and some life style modifications and physiotherapy.
She can start with walking and aerobic fitness exercises, quadriceps strengthening, patellar tapping, lateral heel wedges, etc- under the guidance of her physiotherapist.
A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than the knees.
Knee brace can also be used for an earlier and prolonged relief.
In severe cases intra articular injections of steroids and hyaluronic acid may be needed after consultation with an 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.
A problem in the hip is less likely but a physical examination is mandatory to rule this out.
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.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
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
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
