Knee pain

[Hodgey58]

Good morning my lovely PMR family,could I please ask your advice .I took my last steroid on 30th October 2020. I had PMR for 3 years and was told by my Rummy that it had gone.The thing is that I have been having niggles in my knees lately and last night could only just manage to get to the bathroom as the pain was excruciating.My knee is swollen.I have some 1mg of steroids left,could I try these and see if they help with the swelling and pain.I could try and get in touch with my doctor but at this moment in time feel they have more important things to deal with than me.Any advice welcome.x

[YuliK]

Could be something not connected PMR. There is housemaids knee ( water on the knee)

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As Yupik says maybe not PMR - doesn't usually cause swelling try - RICE - As soon as possible after an injury, such as a knee or ankle sprain, you can relieve pain and swelling and promote healing and flexibility with RICE—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Rest.

Rest and protect the injured or sore area.

And get it checked out, surgeries are still open, they may be busy, but patients without COVID still need to be treated.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Another rheumy with a crystal ball - wish they'd learn they are seriously faulty! You are now showing pretty typical signs of that low dose was doing a great job - a couple of months is very common!

However, is this how your PMR started in the first place? Bilateral is common, swelling less so though my dodgy knee was definitely puffy and there are other things it could be. I'd speak to the doctor first - he may agree to you trying a low dose to see if it works. If it does, staying on 1mg for the foreseeable future is unlikely to cause any problems - although you are likely to need maybe 5mg for a few days to get it under control.

[SheffieldJane]

I had a very swollen knee just prior to lockdown. My Rheumatologist was on the point of draining the fluid off and injecting steroid into the affected knee. This was unable to go ahead due to restrictions. It seems to have resolved itself now, possibly due to enforced rest. Not clear that this was PMR related at all.

[Hodgey58]

Thank-you all so much for your advice.I was given a telephone appointment with the nurse who recommended to try a really strong pain relief to see if it settles down.Really want these to work as don’t want to start steroids again but do wish I’d have stayed on the 1 mg for a while longer.would like to take this opportunity to wish you lovely people a healthy and happy new year xxxxxx