Knees

[jules1955]

Hi everyone, I am still on 7mgs of Pred and haven’t tried to reduce. I have somehow injured my knee, Patella Tendonitis ( it seems I injure myself so easily these days ) and it is taking ages to heal and really getting me down as it’s making me immobile. I am doing the recommended exercises and using hot and cold on it. My hips seem to be coming out in sympathy too. Is there a goblin with a hammer moving around my body ? Any tips from anyone who has suffered this ?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Unfortunately for some people being on pred can lead to injuring themselves rather easily - and even tendonitis without an injury. More so if you have a history of using quinolone antibiotics.

[jules1955 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for quick reply, not sure about quinolone antibiotics ? Haven’t had antibiotics for a long time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jules1955]

Quinolone abx include ciprofloxacin (they all end in -oxacin) and despite warning about only using them as a last resort because of the side effects many doctors still use them for UTIs. I was surprised to find having a history of using them also has an effect even if it was a long time ago!

[jules1955 in reply to PMRpro]

Amazing what you learn on here !

[AyJayBass in reply to jules1955]

A few years back, well before PMR, I had a course of Cipro and with a couple of weeks developed Tendonitis in one shoulder. I needed a Cortisone injection to calm it down. Of course PMR attacks all your weak spots so I have been experiencing tendonitis pain in that shoulder again recently but not too badly.

[readingbooks in reply to PMRpro]

My experience too, PMR Pro. I was prescribed Norfloxacin in September 2016 for a UTI. I developed PMR in Sept 2017 followed soon after by bilateral Achilles tendinitis which lasted, one for 9 months, the other for a year. I didn't think at first these things could be related, but now ???

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to readingbooks]

I'd be very suspicious. Cipro and steroids separately can cause it on their own - but the cipro is a horrible drug with long lasting effects, My achilles tendonitis was unilateral and I realised immediately and stopped the cipro but I was on crutches for 9 months. OH was given cipro - and got a sore ankle after one dose!!! And stopped!

[SnazzyD]

My tendons have been damaged by quinolone antibiotics and it took about 18 months for the acute symptoms to subside. It all flared up after Pred. If you hurt your knee it is possible you were not walking with a normal gait. This may have had a knock on effect on the hips; it’s a common occurrence for an injury in one part of a limb to cause upset elsewhere. If you have had quinolone antibiotics, you may have a double whammy. With tendinitis you need to be really careful not to over do it. I found sometimes remedial exercises made things worse.

[jules1955 in reply to SnazzyD]

What would be best do then ? rest more? would glucosamine help ?

[SnazzyD in reply to jules1955]

Are your exercises recommended and reviewed by a professional?

[jules1955 in reply to SnazzyD]

yes - but they are easy

[SnazzyD in reply to jules1955]

In my experience, tendons are very tricky. They can sulk in resentment after exercises that if you gave to a muscle would be beneficial and strengthening. By the time I got to low doses I was so prone to injuries and had tendon problems in Achilles, hip attachments, neck/shoulders, hands and forearms. Time was key for me as exercises just made it worse. How was the diagnosis of tendon it is made?

[Hidden in reply to jules1955]

Pretty sure there is no scientific evidence on the benefits of it I’m afraid but check it out. I took the correct RDA for years at great cost only for consultant to tell me it’s unproven .

[jules1955 in reply to Hidden]

sorry not sure what you mean ?

[Hidden in reply to jules1955]

Glucosamine

[jules1955 in reply to Hidden]

Ah OK thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

May be unproven but it does work for some people - did it work/help you?

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

[SheffieldJane]

Yes with swelling and great difficulty coming down stairs. My Rheumatologist did threaten me with draining off the fluid and steroid injections into the joint. Then the Pandemic happened and Whew she forgot. I have however heard that it pretty much sorts you out. Mine has reduced to the odd sharp twinge due to inactivity during lockdown I suspect.

[jules1955 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi Jane, so it did heal over time ?

[SheffieldJane in reply to jules1955]

Or it has gone into remission maybe.

[Viv54]

Hi, Jules1955, i dont think you have injured it , unless you can recall twisting it etc ? i have suffered tendinitis badly when taking Pred at the start ! Woke up one morning and could not put my foot on the floor, its an awful pain. Hobbled everywhere for weeks! The thing that really helped me was stretching exercises , its so painful to do at first but if you push through the pain it really helps , get a good cream to rub in your calves etc as they are so tender Good luck this another nasty side affect that creeps up on some people ! Best wishes Viv.

[jules1955 in reply to Viv54]

Hi Viv, thanks for reply, can I ask which exercises helped you ? I am just doing easy knee bends - standing holding onto the back of a chair and also raising my leg straight while lying down on the bed with other knee bent and foot flat.

[Sophiestree in reply to jules1955]

I have this book, in the full sized version and the pocket version to take away

amazon.co.uk/Stretching-Ann...

It has everything in there, plus pages for general daily stretches, nighttime stretches etc.

Not sure if my link has work as it hasn't changed colour!

[jules1955 in reply to Sophiestree]

Yes got the link thank you

[Hidden in reply to Viv54]

What cream are you recommending please! I also have leg /hip issues due to limp.

[SheffieldJane]

Flexiseq is the one Jinasc recommends.