Knee pain, would a knee brace help?

[HeronNS]

Hi, I'm new - to the community although not to OA. Since the covid lockdown changed my activity patterns I've developed an extremely painful right knee. Have had OA diagnosis since I was 40, now 73, and until this time I kept problems well at bay. Have been on prednisone for five years for polymyalgia rheumatica, four of those years at a very low dose. I avoid nsaids as they interfere with cartilage regeneration. Am thin, and have managed over the past few years to injure my left knee twice. Once with a tibial plateau fracture, which healed quickly and well (no displacement, no surgery) and more recently with a stupid fall where I slammed the same knee down onto the floor as hard as possible. Nothing broken. However the result of this was overuse of the other leg, which was already suffering because of the covid situation, and now it's like I have knives in that knee almost all the time. Getting physio, doing my exercises, trying to walk a little (worried about my bone density because of lack of exercise ) and basically doing what I can. I use Nordic walking poles to help with stability when I walk.

Does any one have experience of a lightweight knee brace to help take stress off the knee? Would something like that possibly help?

[DorsetLady]

I tried 2 or 3 different types before my replacement- but can’t say any one was particularly successful- sorry - despite the blurb!

If it’s not too bad, and you feel just a little insecure an elasticated tubular bandage might help - brand name in UK Tubigrip - not sure in Canada...but you need to measure knee to get correct size.

I also tried similar but with a brace outside, but found it difficult to keep the brace in the right place...but it was a few years ago, they might have improved - try a sport injury or arthritis website.

As mentioned over on other forum I have started to use a Hemp/CBD cream on my arthritic shoulder - which seems to be giving better relief than previous purchases if similar products.

Was talking to an old friend a few weeks ago, and his doctor has prescribed a capsicum cream to use on his arthritic hands because at moment they are not giving steroid injections. He says it works, but you must make sure you don’t touch eyes or any other delicate areas!

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks! I was driven to use the clunky brace I'd got when I hurt the other knee a few months ago, and it did help, but really not appropriate for current condition and it always did slide terribly. The one I had and gave away afterwards for broken leg was much better that way, I don't remember any shifting. Have been told by both doctor and physiotherapist the pain is caused by a nerve being squeezed by whatever the OA is doing to my joint - sorry, can't recall right medical terminology, so I would need something which keeps the joint from compressing. Don't think a bandage would do that?

I saw your comments about CBD oil and think I may ask my doctor about it. Yes, all legal in Canada now, although not always as easy to get as it should be. They are concentrating on the recreational market, not the medical one

Have just answered someone's several days old question on this forum (what do I know ). It is not very active....

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

I found tubigrip on line but I am not allowed into the site. Have to be a health professional! Although one can lie

molnlycke.ca/products-solut...

[DorsetLady in reply to HeronNS]

What about a well known site beginning with A - you should be able to purchase there.

The CBD ointment I have has the THC removed - that’s not legal in UK as yet.

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

I do make life difficult for myself. A) I don't use Amazon unless there is absolutely no alternative, and something I must have (so, like twice in my life) and B) I don't want to use anything without medical guidance. I understand that oral CBD oil works better with a small amount of THC, but I don't know about topical application. Medical marijuana has been legal here for several years, and recreational use (very tightly controlled selling, so the illegal market still thrives) for a couple of years. Unfortunately the attention seems to have been on selling psychoactive stuff for fun, with little information available re medical use, except for PTSD.

I am now going out with my poles to hobble around on some level ground....

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

Medical is only legal from a Dr. To my knowledge I thought they stripped out the psychoactive part in medical marijuana. I have been offered twice and declined but seeing if it has helped anyone with DJD, OA. Thank You

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

I think the amount of thc in medical marijuana is not enough to cause any psychotropic effects but makes the cannabidiol more effective. This is only from my reading. I have no idea what we actually get if prescribed cbd oil. Also medical marijuana includes thc products as it's used for ptsd and probably other psychological problems, for which the psychotropic effects are desirable.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

Thank You for the answer. I have been offered twice by my Dr and declined. Now this chronic pain is taking away things I used to be able to do. Perhaps I will talk again with my Dr-thank you for answer

[Helsinki96 in reply to DorsetLady]

Please test capsicum cream first on your skin, I had a blistering allergic reaction, which was extremely painful, I had to use a copious amount of water to wash it off.

[DorsetLady in reply to Helsinki96]

I’m not using it, but just commenting that a friend had used it successfully....but thanks for warning.

[Patient007]

I have bone on bone arthritis in my left knee. My Physiotherapist referred me to an Orthotist who fitted me with a THUASNE action reliever. You can look it up on youtube or visit Thuasne website. It has helped me to walk a bit better. No cure but at least lets me get about a bit better. Let me know what you think when you have had a look. I have also had one for my right knee to stop it getting any worse.

[HeronNS in reply to Patient007]

Thank you, that's helpful. If it's something which defers or eliminates the need for eventual surgery I'm interested!

[Patient007 in reply to HeronNS]

This is a special type of brace recommended by consultant and orthotist.

[Hidden in reply to Patient007]

Thank You-I will look it up

[Batty1]

Only way to know is to buy a knee brace.

[HeronNS in reply to Batty1]

I know, but would like to know how they work (or don't) for other people before I do!

[Batty1 in reply to HeronNS]

Depends of what type you choose, most are slip ons and for people like me with fat legs they don’t work so well (slip down) if you have thinner legs these seem to work better although they still might slip down.

I was looking on Amazon for knee braces (I have psoriatic arthritis) and they have slip on braces BUT it has straps that velcro around the brace to help hold it up . MOST knee braces are measured by thigh size .....

The things to remember is any brace won’t cure/fix your knee and make sure your brace has a hole where your knee cap is.

[HeronNS in reply to Batty1]

Thanks. That's helpful info. I had to wear a brace for a knee injury (stupid household accident where I tripped and slammed my knee hard onto the floor, fortunately no fracture). It did not fit well and kept slipping despite frequent adjustments. The store where I bought it had to fill the orthopod's prescription, although they said I would have done better with a different kind. I am very thin and I think it was too big for me. However I did use it for a day on my other knee (it seemed to be for either leg) when I was at my worst with the OA and it really did help, although I had to keep hitching it up, so am debating whether it would be a good idea to get the proper item. As the wait to see a specialist here is like years long and I'm not even on a list, I'm just asking around to get the experience of others. :

[Batty1 in reply to HeronNS]

Type into amazon search bar : knee braces for knee pain women

The braces range from 15 dollars to 40 dollars ... and read reviews I find them very informative!

[HeronNS in reply to Batty1]

Thanks. Actually there is a very good store near here with trained staff so that would likely be my first port of call. Will need a prescription from my doctor, though, so it's covered by insurance.

[Batty1 in reply to HeronNS]

Thats good did they for you for the first knee brace?

[HeronNS in reply to Batty1]

Yes, the orthopod sent us straight there after my post-emergency-treatment follow-up. I didn't have a fracture, and with the brace I was able to put weight on the leg right away. Which saved the other leg, which is the one which is really troubling me now, from even more stress. I'd had a virtual physio appointment to get exercises for that knee and twenty-four hours later I fell on the good knee and basically had to hop on my bad leg for three or four days, although we got crutches which helped a bit, but I think the damage was done.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

I hate to keep wasting money or anyone’s. If you can pull one up it might ( hopefully) help. The thigh ones I had were just not for me. I wish you well.

[Hidden in reply to Batty1]

The exact type I had-which for me just did not help. Nicely stated

[Hidden]

The orthopedic surgeon gave 2 to me. For me, since my hands hurt , I couldn’t put them on. I felt like a “ robotic “ walk. I tried to return an unopened one. For me, they were not helpful. But try anything you think might help you. Perhaps a different brace for me would have been easier, but I am not the Dr-I wish you well. Only people who have been thorough an experience can really understand how you feel. I wish you the best. I hope if you try them they help

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. My physiotherapist said not to get anything until the swelling has completely gone, so I get a really proper fit. But the swelling is taking ages to disappear completely, so I guess there is still very active inflammation. I see I posted this only a few days ago, maybe it just seems longer than it really has been.

[BonnieMagic]

I have tried a few knee braces and the one that works best for me is a compression type that doesn’t slip or cut off the blood supply (!) and gives me enough day to day support to enable me to walk the dog. As my OA has worsened I have now ordered one with Velcro straps for bad days. I hope you find one that helps you.

[HeronNS]

Here is a little update. I've been doing my physio exercises dutifully, and gradually increasing activity. I no longer have the knives stabbiing with every step. I do still have the occasional unpredictable moment of feelling the leg will give way, so obviously I'm not a strong yet as I should be. But right now the need for a brace is, happily, shelved! I can always refer back here if the need does rear it's ugly head again, and given my advancing years that's all too likely. But let's hope not too soon.

Thanks all!

[HeronNS in reply to HeronNS]

Further update. Knee better when I don't walk. Sigh. Not found a knee brace which works for me yet; may have to spend big bucks for a custom-made one. Double sigh. Meanwhile am getting some exercise but not much cardio from a pedal exerciser (little under the desk type bicycle) which is better than nothing.

amazon.ca/TODO-Exercise-Exe...