Knee pain

[food-lover]

I am new to the site and undergoing tests to confirm RA. I am determined not to let this define my life. However after many years of pain I need some help. I love walking my dog but this causing so much pain and swelling. Could anyone please advise on good support so I can continue to walk. Thank you for your help wendy

[fizzierascal]

I am also waiting on a proper diagnosis but in the past with knee and shoulder pain I've used physio tape which has directions for application on you tube

[food-lover in reply to fizzierascal]

Thank you very much I will look it up. I need to be careful as I had the full length of my femeral artery replaced last year and must walk to keep the blood circulating. Thank you again.

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Can you request a referral to a physiotherapist or similar? I think a number of us might use knee supports and such from time to time but as you've had surgery that involves a long femoral artery then compression might not be appropriate for you?

Have you had a chat with the NRAS Helpline to ask if they've any advice for you?

[food-lover in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Thank you. I tried my vascular surgeon but he is on holls for another week. I am just impatient. I will phone help line.

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to food-lover]

I get the impatience as I'm a little like this myself at present

I saw a consultant recently who mentioned that I have Baker's Cysts on both of my knees. Now, in a way, this was useful to know because I had been wondering why I've been having extra stiffness there and it affects my gait from time to time.

But, working round them isn't obvious as sometimes compression is helpful - but it might not be, depending on the size of the cysts and whether or not the compression increases their pain.

[food-lover]

I'm sorry difficult to know what's best and official help is in short supply. Phoned help line they suggested physio. However their phones are temp out of order.

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to food-lover]

I know that nobody is at fault with this but isn't it a bit dispiriting how difficult it is to obtain nuanced guidance on day to day things that help us to remain active. Everyone recommends it but it seems ludicrously complex to obtain advice that can encompass all of the complexities that some people need to address: e.g., RD and osteoporosis (with its own many categories and potential fragilities).