I have just started to get the leg pains especially when walking. I have posted before and had some lovely response. I just wanted to ask if exercises do actually help with pain. I have been doing the group of core, hip and pelvis exercises given to me by physio. Three weeks now and not missed one day. I have not had any x-Ray, or scan to know what sort of arthritis or if it is arthritis. The physio just decided. It came on quickly , one day OK next the pains. Even with the exercises there is no improvement, in fact slightly worse. I find it difficult to walk. I have three more weeks to go of these exercises. Am I expecting too much and it takes a long while for improvement. I am even getting an aching pain across my lower back when walking. The thing is I still can get up stairs and get into the shower which is in our bath, without too much discomfort. I only take paracetamol and then when I go out anywhere. Sorry to have gone on and I know how much some of you suffer. Just would like opinions from those of you who have suffered this for a long time.
Exercises and do they work: I have just... - Arthritis Action
Exercises and do they work
I can only give my personal opinion on this and I’m not a medic. Osteoarthritis is very common and as far as I’m aware it’s diagnosed by you saying you are in pain and a medical person agreeing with you! They might do bloods to exclude anything else.
The exercises are to get your muscles strong so that these muscles can support your painful joints properly. So you cannot expect pain to go away quickly.
The website “Versus Arthritis” belongs to a charity specialising in this, and I’ve found it helpful. Another is “arthritis Action”.
Thank you for your reply. I hope you don’t mind me asking but do you need painkillers, just wondering what others take so they can get out and about. I booked a show for my daughter and I . At the moment just could not manage the walk from the station. Booked before the pains started. I will look at the websites you mentioned.
I certainly do take painkillers and I’ve always assumed everyone who’s got arthritis is on them! Cannot function otherwise.
I only am on paracetamol. That is all the physio recommended. I assume waiting to see how I go. Though suffer constipation through the Solifenacin I am taking so would not want anything that can cause this. Thank you for replying so quickly. This is all new to me.
I've tried drinking three tsps of olive oil a day as recommended somewhere for creaky joints (can't remember where!) One thing I can say is that it, how can I put it, smooths the passage of one's digestion.
With you on that one. Needs must, etc.
I take painkillers …co-codamol but only one in combination with one paracetamol or one ibuprofen if I know I’m doing a long walk or maybe sitting a long time. I rarely have more than one a day to avoid constipation! Because they do cause constipation they also have the ‘benefit’ of stopping me needing frequent toilet breaks ….handy when out bird watching when loos are thin on the ground!
Hello, Sorry to hear your struggling, I too went down that road - not good!Personally I think you should speak to your GP, explain your situation and see if you can have xrays or scan on the area to check if anything other than Arthritis. Can you see the Physio sooner? You could try asking for a referral for Hydrotherapy. Exercise in a Hydro pool is wonderful!
If you are prescribed meds that might cause constipation then you could take something to avoid this - I was prescribed senna, I take at night if needed.
I don't know your situation so not sure if my advice is any good to you but my own situation now, after not being able to drive for 6 months and using 2 crutches-
I am a Cancer pt, have Lymphoedema in both my legs and Osteo in both knees - right one is bone on bone. Waiting for a total knee replacement.
I was taking so many drugs for the Arthritis and nerve pain, caused by not walking properly because of the knees. I'm delighted to say that my GP was very supportive.
I was referred to an MSK Physio, who gave me exercises which, like you, didn't have much of an impact. He then referred me for xrays on my knees , which confirmed how bad my right knee was, left one not as bad.
Cutting a long story short, I now go to Hydro twice a week, see a Chyropractor, as a private patient, every 4 weeks. She sorts my pelvic area and my knees using manipulation and acupuncture. I also do exercises at home and have changed my diet to lose weight.
I am now only taking Paracetamol when I need to.
It was a bit of a journey, and tough at times, but I am now driving again and hardly using the crutches.
Hope, not too long before my knee surgery.
I realise that not everyone has the same outcome as me but I hope my message to you is helpful.
The important thing is to try to stay positive. Constant pain really gets to you doesn't it. Especially when you're trying to help yourself but feel you're not getting any better.
Good luck hun! 🤗
My friend has just had a knee replacement. She was very lucky and did not have to wait long. I have 3 more weeks of exercises until I speak to GP again. No face to face at our surgery unless they decide to see you after telephone call. I hope you get your op soon.
If you are really struggling with pain, and it is affecting your life, ring the Surgery and tell the Receptionist you need an earlier face to face or telephone consultation. I work for the NHS. Your GP has a duty of care.
Good luck 🤞
If, after the phone chat, you still want to go in, you must ask, and they will be happy to accommodate you. My GP told me this. He said a GP won't refuse to see a patient. Of course, some patients have psychological issues and harass the staff, so they have to be tough with them. They'll know you're not one of them.
Exercises do work but you need to do them at least once a day and for a while. I've found them very useful in conjunction with weekly deep tissue sports massage from a local physio.
Thankyou for your reply. I do my exercises 3 times a day. So hoping some improvement soon.
You're doing the right thing then ☺️
Am just wondering, how much pressure are imposing on your joints while exercising? Remember there's already the initial pain. Do not inflict more with pressure exercises.
Not sure what pressure is on my joints. Just following the physio’s plan, she says it is arthritis but so far it is worse not better. Just hoping something will happen. Trouble is I cannot guarantee to see the GP I want if I ask for an earlier appt. What are pressure exercises? The app says core, pelvis and hips. Thankyou for your reply. Something to ask my GP when I get to talk to her.
I mean, is whatever exercises you're doing making you feel more pain than before you do them? If so so, you need to talk to your physio about it or do it in moderation. Have you ever tried pouring spirit on an open wound? It's meant to dry it or clean it but it's bad news. Instead you pour little by little till the body adjusts to its sting.I work in a busy place, I walk and bend like for more hours than I get to sit. Its good exercise right? But i feel my knees hurting. My lower spine gives in to pain. I have to take time off to heal. Without mentioning the medication bills.
You my analogy mam?
Please consult and do take care of yourself. Blessings from East Africa.
My private physio introduced me to the 'Escape Pain' programme. It's well-known and may help you.
You need to find out what the cause of the problem is. Your GP should refer you for an x-ray.
I have had osteoarthritis in both knees for over 40 years, and exercise and exercises have been essential in managing it. There is no cartilage in some places, and the bone is also wearing away. Early this year I could hardly walk and had difficulty sleeping because of pain. I have been referred for a full knee replacement of the left knee, but delaying that as exercises have worked.
That is what is strange. I have pain where the top of my legs meet the pelvis. So when I stand or walk the pain radiates down my legs. Especially the right side of my right leg. I don’t seem to have joint pain. Except a soreness in my knees which has only just started. I think I need an x-Ray and I thought I would have one, but no, hopefully next time I speak to GP . Did it take long for your exercises to work. It is very helpful to get replies and know how others manage their pain.
I have osteoarthritis and had a half knee replacement 4 years ago but there’s still arthritis in the other side of the knee! Also, have been having pain down the front of my leg for about 9 months which they think is arthritis in the hips? Physio said it could be bursitis if it’s on the outside of leg but effectively it’s all inflammation and I have been given exercises and have got a membership to local gym to do other classes like yoga and Pilates as well as cardio. In the UK it’s the pathway that you have to follow before they will consider you for joint replacement unfortunately so I think they expect you to take control of your body and try to help yourself? I have committed to a 3 month period to see if there’s any improvement and if not the physio will refer me onto an orthopaedic surgeon
Hi, I don’t really have pain in knees or in hips. It seems to be around the top of my leg. The left leg is not too bad and Incan cope with that. Since starting the exercises the pain in my right leg, going from bottom down the side of my leg is excruciating and I take paracetamol plus. Just two if I am going out. Though because my family came down Saturday I did take 4 during the day. I don’t think I need to see an orthopaedic surgeon, but I would like an x-Ray, scan , blood test to actually know what is going on. Thank you for your reply.
I think I would ask for an X-ray of your right hip to establish if there’s arthritis in it? My hip trouble started at the beginning of the year with pain radiating down the front of my thigh and they did an X-ray that was confirmed as mild osteoarthritis. However as the months have gone by it has now involved my buttock and groin. When I saw the dr afterwards she said another possibility would be ‘Greater Trochanter pain syndrome’ which has very similar symptoms to osteoarthritis. Good luck
I have discovered over the last few months that one can't reply on the health service to be proactive, and have had a couple of private consultations to give a little kick up the backside to the process. I have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to ask for things sometimes rather than waiting for it to happen.
You are so right. My GP assured me that my request to see an ortho specialist would probably not result in a knee replacement and I would have to wait five years for another referral. I went private and was diagnosed with bone to bone contact in my knee and had it replaced. The surgeon said he had no idea what my doctor was talking about when he mentioned 5 year wait.
If we can afford it the odd private consultation is often worth doing. Good for you!
Yeah crazy isn’t it? You have to be SO persistent
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