What is an Osteoarthritis flare?

[Loobs39]

I have been suffering from a painful knee/leg for a few days, bad enough to make me hobble and far more painful after sitting for a few hours. It gradually got worse over 3 days then yesterday, while walking in my house, something seemed to give and it was agony to walk - I could not put any weight on that leg. I went to A&E as I assumed it was my cruciate ligament but, after X-rays and blood tests, which were all normal, I was told it was an osteoarthritis 'flare'?? They wouldn't do an MRI as they said even if it was a tear, the remedy is the same, rest, ice, elevate. To be honest, I am unsure what a 'flare' even is - has anyone else suffered from this? If it is something that will get better over time I will just have to sit it out but my worry is that it might be something that needs treatment and I'm not getting it? A detached cruciate would only show on an MRI - has anyone ever experienced one and was it instant or did it occur over several days?

[Blackknight1989]

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that last a lifetime once a person is afflicted. Like many chronic conditions osteoarthritis “ebbs” and “flares” which simply means it can and will hurt more at times, in fact most of the time the pain is significantly worse then usual, thus this increase in the severity of pain is called a flare. If you truly have osteoarthritis you will suffer from periods of severe pain as opposed to the “normal” dull ache associated with osteoarthritis.

As far as your knee issue, would you have had some sort of incident that would have injured it, if so then maybe it is an injury as you allude to in your post. However, baring an incident causing injury most likely if you have been diagnosed with some sort of underlying knee problem such as osteoarthritis or another form chronic joint issue most likely it is as the doctors say. I’ve suffered with poly-osteoarthritis since my mid 30s, I’m now 57 and suffer the same issue you describe 3/4 time a year every year. Truly, rest, ice and elevation above the heart should take care of the major pain in a day or two then you can be more mobile and not concerned with the serious pain. Just part of getting older/suffering from injuries or issues that cause pain and joint damage. A day or two of rest plus using ice and heat combined (20 minutes of ice at say 8:00AM then 20 minutes with a heating pad at noon etc will take care of most of the pain in a day or two. You can’t “damage or hurt” the joint anymore so while painful you can’t really damage the joint further if truly an osteoarthritis issue like a tire knee injury. Rest, ice and heat combo is the only real treatment for long-term joint issues like osteoarthritis. Finally, while I don’t know as I’m not a physician nor do I know anything about your issue other than your description, if it isn’t something that happen due to some injury, then most likely because you’ve had this issue several times over the years it’s developed into some time of arthritis like long-standing, chronic condition that will always be somewhat painful but will, at time “Flare” which dimply means because flares are a symptom of these chronic long-standing issues. If you didn’t injure the knee it’s a arthritic condition and rest, ice/heat for a day or two is the remedy. Hope this helps and hope you feel better soon!

[Loobs39 in reply to Blackknight1989]

Thank you so much for replying, it has been a real worry for me because I genuinely believed I had a torn ligament. Something suddenly seemed to give but in hindsight, it may be simply that I twisted awkwardly and the pain was severe because of that. I have had a knee replacement in the other leg because of arthritis and need to have one in the affected leg but recently had a cortisone injection in it because I cannot bear the thought of going through another replacement (it flippin hurts). Also, as the pain did escalate over a couple of days, it seems unlikely to be anything but a 'flare' (I didn't even know there was such a thing). It does seem to be easing, I just don't have the confidence to put too much weight on it. Yep, getting older can be rubbish but I have been fortunate really, I didn't develop arthritis until my 50's at the same time as Hashimotos thyroiditis plus other autoimmune problems. I guess I ought to see a rheumatologist - does that seem a good idea?

Thank you again for taking the time to reply, I really do appreciate it.

[Blackknight1989 in reply to Loobs39]

Seems like you’ve got a plan, I’d agree it’s time to see a specialist. I’ve had early onset osteoarthritis (just plain “old people” arthritis that started in my early 30 no had both hips replaced but I’m trying to make it to my life expectancy (or close) without doing a fomplete knee replacement. Both operated on 3/4 times and I’m 57 so I hope I can hang on till 70ish. My osteoarthritis started in my early 30s now I’m 57 and had 6 surgeries so far to treat affected joints so I can feel your pain…best of luck!

[Loobs39 in reply to Blackknight1989]

Oh you poor love, that does sound rotten. Do you use any medication for the pain or just ibuprofen/paracetamol? I think my best course of action is to try and lose a whole load of weight, I'm not obese or anything but could certainly lose a stone which I'm sure would help. Heyho, down to one crutch now, onward and upward.

[Blackknight1989 in reply to Loobs39]

Well thanks for the kind words, I do take acetaminophen for the pain occasionally but I’ve had early onset OA and nearly 30 surgeries in the last 18 or so years that the daily pain has just become a part of the day, it’s not fun but it could be worse, several conditions/diseases are much worse, the only real bothersome issue currently is at 57 I need several surgeries to “fix” joints though I’ve already had almost 30 surgeries in 20 years…it’s time to start replacing the joints I’ve had “fixed” several times already. So I’m in a debate, though I think I’ve really decided to not have the multiple surgeries and if I have to go into a wheelchair 100% of the time so be it, I’m 57 probably only get to an average age of a male (early 70s) so I’m putting off those additional surgeries (to hopefully expire before going through 4/5 more…lol. So far can still stand and walk just not for long periods, and use a walker/wheelchair when needed….im not proud! Best of luck hope you recover quickly!

[Sisterstogether]

Hi, I have just recently had an Osteoarthritis flare and it was horrendous! It came on suddenly while walking and made me actually scream out with the pain. I couldn’t weight bear and thought I had fractured my hip. I went to AnE had x ray and no injury detected.I was sent home on crutches and prescribed codeine phosphate tablets which didn’t alleviate the pain I was in

The pain was only severe on movement, when I rested in bed/chair I was comfortable.

My flare lasted 6 weeks and not only took a toll on my physical health but also mentally. In that time I asked for an MRI scan and was told if it was a tear in the ligaments the care is the same.

I hadn’t heard of an osteoarthritis flare before but it will be one experience I will not forget.

I do hope yours settles soon.🦋

[Loobs39 in reply to Sisterstogether]

Thank you for replying and so sorry to hear you've had such a problem. I had never even heard of a flare as I say but I know about it now! My knee is now back to the way it was before the cortisone injection (which worked so well I wanted to keep having them instead of the op) and I will be having my second knee replacement in November. I am taking the usual painkillers which don't make a whole load of difference but do take the edge off. I have started to use a walking stick for when it gets particularly bad, I guess that is my life now until Xmas. Hopefully you are picking up now, both mentally and physically. Take care

[Wolf68]

I’ve had a few of these flairs that just seem to come on suddenly. When I first had them I thought that something had snapped or cracked in my knee and went to A&E but I would usually spend half a day or night there and be sent home without any treatment so I don’t bother now.

I usually just treat mine with Ice, painkillers, compression bandages and rest. I used to take anti inflammatory meds like ibuprofen but I have been told I can’t take them anymore because of my diverticulitis.

I’ve not noticed any pattern in my actions that bring on the flairs, they just seem to happen and each one seems to get worse than the previous one and takes longer to get better. My last one was December 30th last year and it is like it’s never really fully recovered.

Good luck with it and if you are worried it’s something else go to A&E.

[Loobs39 in reply to Wolf68]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, sorry you are also suffering from this. The worse thing is, as you say, the fact there appears to be no rhyme nor reason to it - I struggled to work out what I could possibly have done or taken that caused this but there was nothing. I am fortunate that I live in a bungalow, although I am currently staying at my daughter's for a week looking after my grandchildren and really find the stairs tricky? Hopefully yours will continue to improve with time, take care.