Burning knees and thighs

[Manaus]

I have had a bad couple of days with burning knees and thighs. I exercise daily and walk, I am still unsure, if I am doing the right thing or if I am overdoing it. I continue to work out how this wreched comdition can be controlled. I guess it can take years to fathom how to manage it.

[Badbessie]

Yes you are doing the right thing by exercising. However if your pain is increasing you may be overdoing it. Go back to a set of exercises that did not cause more pain and slowly build up from there. Getting a balance is very hard. I have a base line set of exercises which I can do even in flair. When the flair settles I then start building up again. It can be frustrating but forcing exercise at times can lead to longer periods of pain.

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

They say it is good to keep moving I try smaller walks now as the lengthy ones are a thing of the past for me , but nice to see the outside and keeps us positive , my knees are what plays up now for me but my epsom salts soak in the bath is good , pain relief gels helpful. Have a good weekend.

[Reykua]

Is the burning pain/sensation on the inside of your knee and thigh or on the outside - feels like the flesh around your knee or thigh is burning?

[Manaus in reply to Reykua]

It is down the outside of thighs and tops of knees.

[Reykua in reply to Manaus]

Usually burning or tingling sensations are caused by nerves - specifically, nerve inflamation, usually in the spine.

I should know, I have lumbar spinal stenosis and have experienced what you're describing which is why I responded to your post.

Not to be too probing but, do you have any spinal problems? Are you overweight or do you tend to wear tight clothing (even some lycra can be too compressing) when you go for your walks?

I'm also interested in how you've been treating it so far, how long the sensations last and whether the skin in those areas are 'hot to the touch'?

[Manaus in reply to Reykua]

That is interesting, I have 3 herniated discs but was told they have low to medium effect on the nerve. The burning starts a good 8 inches below my hips it is always there but to a lesser or higher degree. When it is at its worse tight clothing exasperated it.

I have been to physio had MRI and yes I am overweight, trying desperately to loose some. I am trialing CBS oil. I do daily stretching exercises specifically lower spine, thighs and knees.

Does this sound like your issue too?

[Reykua in reply to Manaus]

YES.

Hmmmm. Not too much you can do about it I'm afraid.

Nevermind the MRI. It merely confirms that you have bones, bone spurs, discs, cartilage or some other growth pressing on or irritating the nerves that serve your legs.

Without decompression - as in my case, the burning, tingling, pins & needles, numbness and pain progresses further down your legs into your calves and feet and upwards towards your hips, waist, ribs and sometimes neck and shoulders - not to scare you, the absolute worst is the sciatic pain that radiates from the waist into the hips and buttocks and down BOTH legs lol.

Anyway, everyone is different so you'll probably not end up like me.

As my dad used to say, Use it or Lose it so I'd encourage you to keep on walking, dancing and moving as much as possible and find ways to minimise the pain and burning or effective ways to combat the discomfort on your return home from your walks.

The pain patches I'm on and hydrotherapy have helped enormously but I still get the burning sensation sometimes, especially in my thighs.

I've also used pain gels like Deep Freeze Pain Relief Cold Gel which I buy online and really, really helps - especially when I've been more active than usual.

Let me know how you get on ok.

All the best going forward.

[Manaus in reply to Reykua]

Thank you, I spoke to a lovely knee consultant who said he wished he had a back like mine and I had beautiful knees apart from odd kneecaps 😂. I get tingling in my feet occasionally but it is fleeting. I am going to start back at the gym next week.

We just have to get on with it, dont we? Take care.x