My right knee is pretty much constantly swollen now and weight bearing is a massive struggle. I’m only 21 and have just started a new job, has any one got any advice on how I can manage it. I’ve been applying ice packs regularly but I’m just wanting to see what people do for there’s. I have hospital in september but it has been a struggle getting to this point
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heatherthornton578
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Have you seen your GP ref a steroid injection or oral steroids? They do work to get the swelling down and give some longer term relief. Other things to try are ice, gentle exercise and make sure you are wearing the correct shoes! Knee pain is often caused by foot/gait problems, so might be worth thinking about.Good luck with the hospital appt.
Hi,My daughter (who is 16) has JIA (Junior idiopathic arthritis) and her most affected joint is her knee. All her other joints are kept under control by the medication. When it’s bad she’s been told to take ibuprofen and paracetamol as necessary (obviously not exceeding the daily limits) as well as ice packs and heat packs. However the only thing which really settles it is a steroid joint injection. If it’s been really swollen for a couple of weeks we email her rheumatology secretary and she usually sees my daughter to give her a steroid joint injection quite quickly. I suggest you contact your rheumatology department (don’t leave it until September) and ask to see someone as soon as possible.
Because it’s the same knee which is constantly causing problems for my daughter (and she’s now had 2 steroid injections in less than 6 months) she has just been referred to the orthopaedic department for a Synovectomy. The plan is to remove the synovial lining so that it can’t become inflamed and cause the knee to swell. It’s not a permanent solution as it will grow back but should give several years of relief (and hopefully get her through her A-levels without it flaring up). 🤞
I’ve managed to get my appointment moved to this afternoon by some miracle, I’ve requested another steroid injection so we will see what they can do thank you for telling me about your daughter. I’ve been struggling since I was about 12 so it helps knowing I’m not the only young person with it.
Glad to hear you have been able to get an appointment so quickly. I’ve always found the rheumatology department to be very helpful, they don’t know we are struggling if we don’t tell them. Hope you get some relief from the steroid injection.
I’ve been diagnosed with RA for 15 years but looking back I think the first symptoms probably developed in my mid-teens. My daughter was diagnosed when she was 11. We both see the same consultant in the same hospital which is nice as she knows us both well now. My daughters knee flared massively right in the middle of her GCSE exams which was really bad timing.
I had two drains and steroid injections in my right knee and that has been much better for about 6 months now. Still have issues with left knee and hip. Injection in that one hasn’t worked.
I find heat - wheat bag- gives some relief and have tried various rub on creams. At the moment magnesium oil is my go to and using it at night helps a bit with sleeping too. I find some days are better than others. I hope you get a few okay days too.
Note my diagnosis is Stills Disease which for me manifests as RD. also called AOSD - adult onset Stills Disease as I was diagnosed aged 17.Knees: always the most painful, apart from the usual drug regimen at that time (late 1970s) compression bandages (tubigrip) gave me the best relief and I still use them now aged 60. Hope appointment goes well.
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