Polymyalgia flare after knee cartilage damage

[townlands]

I've had polymyalgia for about 3 years and with a few hiccups are down to 5mg pred a day now.

About 3 weeks ago I damaged my knee cartilage, it is slowly getting better but I now have an aching in my upper front thighs (both legs). It's similar to the pain I used to get in the early days of my polymyagia. I wondering if it's something to do with the cartilage damage or a flare of the polymyalgia because of the cartilage damage. Anyone any ideas ?

Thanks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I wondering if it's something to do with the cartilage damage or a flare of the polymyalgia because of the cartilage damage

I would plump for the latter predominately - if it was just the cartilage then unlikely both legs would be affected in same way -although if you are limping that may have a knock on effect on your good leg

Have a look at the attached link and treat it as a flare - what assistance are you getting for cartilage damage?

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

..and maybe drop down to 6mg or 5.5mg rather than 5mg once you have flare (if that’s what it is) back under control

[townlands in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi

Thanks for getting back so quickly. My knee was very painful at first so both upper legs just seemed to ache in general, and as I was limping I did think I just might be putting more pressure on my other leg. I saw my doctor who confirmed a meniscus damage and said it would take a few weeks to improve,to take paracetamol and elevate it when possible. Foolishly, at the time I was not thinking about my polymyalgia so didn't ask him if it would effect it.

As the days have passed the aching in the legs seems much more like what I used to get early on with polymyagia. I'm thinking of increasing my pred but am not sure to what dose. I'm on 5mg and was about to taper to 4.5 mg. I read the article on flares you suggested, do you think 10mg for a few days would help

Thanks again

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to townlands]

Hopefully yes -you can give it a week and see if things improve. Whether it makes a difference or not, you a just drop back without affecting your existing tapering plan.

But I wouldn’t be thinking about tapering to 4.5mg until it’s settled.

[townlands in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks so much for your help, I'll try the 10mg for a week.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to townlands]

And I agree with DL!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You are probably walking "wrong" and that never helps.

[townlands in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I did wonder if I was favoring my good leg more than I should.