Knee question

[HappyD34]

Hi all. So saw rheumatologist 2 weeks ago and she said my knee looked significantly better . It had been swollen and physio at time measured it at over 40cm . No amount of RICE worked hence I was quickly seen by rheumy , long story .

I measure my knee most days. Since it being drained and steroid it has hovered around 38.5 cm . MTX is being increased from 20 to 25 but my CRP and ESR are all very normal. I wasn’t sure MTX working tho I have never mounted an inflammatory response according to rheumy so CRp etc always normal. So we are trying this increase first.

Question is, is it normal after a walk or aqua fit for your knee to increase by a cm ? Some of you probably thinking that you never measure knee , I wouldn’t have either but physio got me doing it to check before RA diagnosed a few months ago. It does decrease again by morning. Such a small increase but is it normal?

I’ve had steady increases of MTX injections since Oct , I don’t think doing anything but I just don’t know. Rheumy stumped me when she said no reason why I can’t achieve remission in a year or so even tho I’m seropositive so all my follow up questions went out of the window whilst I picked myself up off the floor from shock. I do get small stinging sensations at side of knees at times, after walking but more on the aqua ( let’s not mention the pebble feeling under my foot! ).

Early days maybe ? Still trying to figure out what’s normal and what’s RA and what isn’t ! Any thoughts much welcome.

take care all and hope the sun is shining literally but more so on the inside of your heart

Denise

[Runrig01]

So a change in 1cm is definitely nothing to worry about, and common after activity.

The pebble sensation sounds like you have plantar fasciitis, which is common with inflammatory arthritis. It usually responds to alternating heat and cold, a min of each for 10min, or a frozen water bottle rolling your foot over it, to massage the tendon. You can google for exercises that help the PF. Sounds like you are doing well

[HappyD34 in reply to Runrig01]

Hi there 😊, phew thanks for the reply , really appreciate that. Just been reading your post a while ago about seeing an orthopaedic surgeon. I’ve just booked to see a podiatrist , I’ll see what they say but may consider orthopaedic consultant as I don’t want to aggravate my knee if I have to wear insoles. All the best

[medway-lady in reply to HappyD34]

The foot sounds like like Morton’s Neuroma. It’s like walking on a pebble or bit of broken glass. You can get a steroid injection which usually works well.

[Runrig01 in reply to HappyD34]

Have you had X-rays and mri scan to confirm what’s causing your symptoms. Ideally you want them done before seeing an orthopaedic consultant. If it is related to your RA, then it may be it settles down either way the change in meds. If it shows osteoarthritis then certainly it’s worth seeing an orthopaedic doctor, if it’s moderate - severe. The other thing is you may find your knees improve if podiatry issue insoles, as your gait should improve with professionally fitted insoles,

[HappyD34 in reply to Runrig01]

Hi, no I haven’t. She just said could be bursitis or Morton’s and if pain goes away after depo medrone then it’s RA, if it doesn’t then it could be Morton’s . She has referred me to podiatrist but with nhs could be a while so booked to go private. At least I have an appointment in 3 months with rheumy and if I don’t see any real difference with increase mtx then I shall push for different drug I guess. All a lottery isn’t it 🙄😊

[janmary]

re pebbles under feet - I have this when in a rheumatoid flare - inflammation of metatarsal joints. Ouch.

Good luck with the knee