Support for swollen knee

My left knee gets very swollen, I had 20mls of fluid removed from it last week & steroids put in.

At the moment the steroid hasn't had much effect & the knee is still swollen.

Do I put a tubigrip on it or just leave it as it is?

[Hidden]

Hi PaulineS - sorry to hear that your knee is giving you trouble. DH(dear husband - RAsufferer) has the same. Few months back his knee became red and swollen (I must mention that he was working on his car and was standing on his knee quite long - that irritated the knee) - consult the GP and he also removed the fluid from the knee. For weeks after that DH (through the hole left after Dr removed the fluid) massaged out fluid from the knee. The hole closed up and the knee became swollen again. Back to the GP and he refered DH to his ortophedic surgeon. A bursectomy was done - but again - the knee still has some fluid in it. Surgeon prescribed a tubigrip (DH never put it on (man thing!) - the fluid doesn't bother him and luckily the knee doesn't swell. If you also have poor blood circualtion in your legs be extra careful not to develop infection in that knee.

I would say - wear the tubigrip and don't irritate (stand on) your knee.

To ALL people - not just RA's - I cannot express it more than to DO EXCERCES - don't stop if you are ill - then do excercise mildly. Talk to a gym instructor re your health situation. We bought a mini trampoline (rebounder) and after many researching we know now that LEG excercises are very important. One must maintain good blood circulation to the lower legs and feet - (do you want to hear what is going to happen if you don't excercise ? ? ? - as in DH'case - amputation of the lower legs!

This is what DH is facing right now.) His Rheumy told him, months back, to do cycling excercises - did he listen - N O...

Search the net re the benefits of rebounding excercises. If interested in purchasing a rebounder - buy good quality.

Good luck, PaulineS and I hope your knee gets better soon.

[Hidden]

thanks for your answer.

My hole closed up very quickly so mot able to get anything else out - mind you probably best as an open wound is a great source for infection to get it!

I do quite a lot of exercise as I have two dogs to walk every day - it's getting the balance between how much I do & don't do

Funnily enough we've just bought a trampoline for the grandkids to use in our garden!!

[Sam59]

Hi Pauline

I know how you feel . My left knee was continually swollen I had 2 ops and several drainage and steroid injections until I had a TKR. Now much better but down side right knee now huge as I put too much pressure on it while recovering from op. I do try and exercise but it is painful and when you are trying to live life as near normal as you can with RA by the end of the day I have had it!

Good luck for the future.

SamX

[Hidden]

Hi, you have my sympathy! I remember being just the same.

If you can, try to elevate your leg during the day by sitting with your leg across a chair. Avoid standing for long periods. Walking is better than standing still.

Try some anti-inflammatory cream (if you are allowed to with your other meds)and use it to give your knee a regular massage.

And use packs of frozen peas occasionally as a compress (wrapped in a towel.)

I don't know if these tips will help you, but they were good for me, and recommended by my Physio.

I personaly don't believe juming will help when it is swollen.

Good luck and hope it gets better soon.

[Hidden]

Some very good advice here. I have significant OA in my right knee and developing in my left knee. Also just recently pains in the feet particularly in big toes. Could be anumber of reasons why this is happening but I know that to stay positive I have to exercise despite the pain(your damned if you do and damned if you don't) The circulation is vitally important so gentle exercise is needed. Somedays if I feel like doing more then I do like during this hot weather. We all have are own tolerances so the best advice is to do things at your own pace but doing nothing for long periods as I have experienced means I have to catch up which makes me worse off.

Good luck and get better soon.

[dapper]

i too had a bad knee and had fluid removed a cple of times ,the swelling did eventually go after a cple of steroid injections aswell ,it still gets very sore and swells a bit and feels like another injection would be useful ,try a tubigrip for a cple of hrs and the ice pack ,they do help