knee problem

[bakingD]

Hi lovely people

Just wanted some advice PMR for 4 years on 4 mg Pred

Had knee MRI due to discomfort last Nov and it showed v mild ligament wear and tear and some fluid but knee surgeon said to watch and wait

After a recent Pilates class knee massively worse v swollen and difficult to bend and v sore- now have knee effusion and bakers cyst- going to have steroids injected with hyaluronic next week

My query is when should I start trying to reduce again and would PMR cause this problem? I don’t feel too bad in the rest of me but am on regular paracetamol at monent .Surgeon said there was def something inflammatory going on

Thanks v much for any advice

[Miserere]

I don't know the answer to your query, but no doubt one of the very knowledgeable ladies on here will. However, I developed knee bursitis at the same time as PMR - the knee was first of all just stiff (no falling/twisting or anything) and I could not walk as far but then, after a slightly longer walk it became horribly swollen and I could not bend it. It was aspirated and I spent several months not able to walk much at all. At the time I was told it was unlikely to be related to PMR and that may be so, but, I have noticed that the muscles that object first are the left thigh muscles and that weakens the knee which in turn starts to complain and make walking difficult. A flare in PMR symptoms started 2 days ago but the first thing I noticed was tightness and weakness in the thigh and difficulty walking - so in my mind the two things are connected.

I'm not sure that helps you at all - it is just my experience. I did have an MRI scan which said there were some arthritic changes but little else - the ligaments and tendons seemed to be all in place. When the PMR is under control I seem able to walk without any pain - but this may just apply to me.

Hope it eases for you soon.

[bakingD in reply to Miserere]

Thanks very much for your informative response very helpful Good luck with your tapering

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Miserere]

PMR likes to attack any weak points!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Bursitis can be part of PMR - but that sounds like wear and tear that is now compounded by an injury. As I said to Miserere PMR likes to pick on the dodgy bits! I wouldn't try to reduce until you have had the injection.

[bakingD]

Thanks will wait as per your advice much appreciated

[marionofnorwich]

I have had similar issues, at least recently (two years on Pred) It is my legs that suffer most and especially my knees. I am awaiting an xray but my osteopath (good on soft tissue as well as bones) doesn't think that osteoarthritis is an issue (neither do i) it is just that all the supporting structures around my knee are tight and swollen. My right knee/leg is thicker than my left too, though both knees are affected - my right leg slightly more. It is very easy for my calf muscles to cramp.. I can't really offer any answers, just flagging up a similarity of symptoms - not had knee issues before but have had a tendency to tight hamstrings

[bakingD in reply to marionofnorwich]

That’s really interesting I hope yours gets better.My PMR has always affected my shoulders and hips until I had knee problems