Rheumatologist visit and steroids plus knee support

[Bailybiscuit]

I saw my rheumatologist today and he thinks the Humira I started at the end of June can take 6 to 12 months to work. I told him I was trying to reduce my steroids but when I got down to 19mg I started to flare again and my knee filled with even more fluid. It does make a great difference just a small decrease. Any how he has said if I don't lower them to 10mg by next year my bones will snap in many places and they won't be able to fix them. I have been taking them for firstly PMR, then other arthritis related things, so in all I have been on them for 3.5 years. For my knee he suggested a nurse fitted me with a tubular bandage but the top is so tight and it just keeps rolling down. He did ask first if I had tried a knee support, which I hadn't as I thought it would aggravate my Bakers cysts. Has anyone tried a real knee support that has Bakers cysts and how have you got on? Thank you.

[Nettac]

Yes I have. Found it really useful, particularly when out walking the dawg.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Nettac]

Did you just get them from a chemist or do they need to be measured by a nurse from the doctors? Also didn't they press on your Bakers cysts?

[Nettac in reply to Bailybiscuit]

I just bought dome good ones from Boots. They're quite expensive. I can't remember them hurting bakers cysts. Really good for supporting unstable knee at the time.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Nettac]

Thank you I will look into getting some as this tubular one just rolls down all the time.

[lynz1983]

my partner has oa in his knee and a bakers and he finds that support bandages helped we bought a compression knee support off Amazon recently and he said that is brilliant when we go out he's never said it bothers his bakers cyst (believe me he would say if it did lol)

[Bailybiscuit in reply to lynz1983]

Thank you. That is good to hear that they work. I will get some as I can't keep pulling up the tubular one when out.

[Nettac in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Nah, tubular ones are useless. Get a special knee support, has hole for knee. They come in different sizes. I think cost about twenty quid. Velcro fastening, and sort of plastic ribs down side. Only come in boring navy or black I'm afraid.

[Bailybiscuit]

I have googled some so will get one of those. I'm going away for a few days soon(not that I will walk very far) and can't keep hoisting these ones up!

[AussiePolyDee]

Hi Bailybiscuit Have you had a Bone Mineral Density scan recently?

I have been on Prednisolone continuously for over 7 years (PMR) also was on Methotrexate for a year & half and have the scan to check for osteopenia/osteoporosis

Re: the support for your knee, I have Bakers cysts too & my physio got a knee support for me that had 2metal inserts which I found to be really helpful. I had tried the Chemist one, but with my fat knees(oh dear!) they rolled down too.

I didn't find any problem with pressure on back of knee for Bakers cyst, but my orthopaedic surgeon didn't want me to continue using as I am having a Total Knee Replacement sometime soon (when I muster up courage! had 1st knee TKR last year and successful). He was only concerned with my lack of mobility, not the problem with using the knee support.

So, I found the knee support very helpful, but if you could get physio to check for you, would be good. Good luck, and hope you get some relief from your knee soon. x Dee

[Bailybiscuit]

Yes I had a scan earlier this year. I have got knee supports similar to how you described and they do seem good. I am able to walk a bit more.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Good luck with your next knee replacement.