Osteochondral defect, loose bodies in the knee and Baker's cyst.

[ijeasike]

Hi everyone,Hope you are all managing. Since the beginning of the year, I have been experiencing tear sensation at the back of my right knee. When I told my mum she said it might be that I have added weight. That it would stop when I reduce some weight.

In April, I experiened a locked knee. It was excrutiating and I couldn't move. This has occured more frequently and I have had to depend on my stick more. I had to email my doctor and he sent me for an MRI scan of my right knee.

I was invited for a rheumatology appointment and my doctor said my scan showed I had loose bodies on my knee, Baker's cyst and osteochondral defect. I have history of AVN and osteochondral lesion and I have had surgery twice. I am in agony, the loose bodies get stock in the knee. When it releases the tear in the back of my knee starts to hurt. If I walk too fast the pain spreads to my tighs and calf.

I go to bed placing a hot water bottle on my knee. I had a mini break with my son and we went to Dundee so we had abit of walking. My right knee swollen and sore. I take my painkillers, apply anti-inflammatory cream. The pain is depriving me from swimming, my most comfortable means exercise. I am resting the knee for the next couple of days because am back to work on Thursday.

I have been referred to orthopedics with a recommendation of surgery. Please any advice on home remedies for painkillers or managing. Please if anyone have this same issues tell me how they are copying. Sorry for the long message.

Kind regards

Ije

[BeeManShrop]

Hi Ije Sorry to hear of your knee problems. My wife had similar fragments plus bakers cyst some years ago. Our rheumy referred her to the knee specialist at Oswestry orthopaedic hospital and she had an arthroscopy (cleaned out the joint) which was very successful. The operation (day surgery) only took about 20 minutes so it is really recommended if you can get it done where you are. Perhaps your GP and/or rheumy could write to the orthopaedic specialist to emphasise the pain/discomfort you are in to get you treated soon. Sorry cannot help re your present condition other than keep taking the pain killers. Good Luck.

[ijeasike in reply to BeeManShrop]

Thank you, my consultant has referred me to an orthopedics. So am waiting for an appointment.

[AimeeA]

my sympathies... I injured my knee and it took 6 months of resting it for it to stop being a problem...

I found the best pain relief was a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen at the same time. You can buy a combo formula or take reduced dosages of each at the same time... 250 mg acetaminophen and 125g Ibuprofen. Don't go beyond the daily limits of either though. Ask your doctor if this is ok if you have kidney or liver issues.

Then I also used the localized arthritis cream or lidocaine cream or patches directly on the knee.

Knees are so tricky and hard to manage, unfortunately. Definitely don't overdo it and try to do too much or it makes it worse.

[ijeasike in reply to AimeeA]

Thank you AimeeA, unfortunately ị can't take ibuprofen because of my kidneys. My gp increased my morphin to 10mg twice a day. In addition to voltorol cream. None seem to me helping. I really need to rest it but I need to go to work. Work as agency, so no work nọ pay.

[michaellasmith Administrator]

Hi Ije,

Sorry to hear you have had persistent pain and no let up of your joint/bone issues!

Have you heard anything regarding your urgent referral (I know very unlikely with wait times in the NHS)?

I have attached below a blog about managing pain, I know by now you have probably tried most things, however maybe somewhere in there you might find something you haven't -

lupusuk.org.uk/pain-managem...

Let us know how you are getting on.

Warm regards,

Michaella

[ijeasike in reply to michaellasmith]

Hello michaellasmithI am still waiting for the appointment. I have been scheduled for an MRI for my spine to. But I really hope i get the appointment. I am struggling to get in and out of the car, driving is becoming difficult. Thank you I will look into the pain Management you sent.