Tendon issues

[Lclmlbls]

Does anyone know if tendon damage, likely to have been caused by pred, is reversed when stopping the drug?

I had an issue with a twisted knee in May which appeared to have resolved with time, rest and physio exercises. I was signed off by the physio about 3 weeks ago and made my first attempt at Pickleball. 15 minutes in I badly twisted the same knee. Are my racquet sport days over or will my tendons recover when I've waved goodbye to the 'friend/foe' known as pred?

I feel (and I'm sure everyone else does too) my life has been curtailed so much by this unexpected, horrid PMR.

[SnazzyD]

Pred can make tendons more susceptible to damage. My issues came to a head when I was under 5mg. At first it was minor pain in various places in my body but they resolved over some months but my Achilles tendons were awful. Both a podiatrist and a pelvic specialist physio identified that the weakness in my hips, abdomen and lower back, along with my gait were causing a knock on effect on my Achilles. I didn’t have PMR, just GCA so higher doses of Pred. I am fine now but it took specific strengthening exercises and orthotics to prevent the abusive force and cure the problem. Had I got away with it without Pred, who knows? I expect the ageing process may have shown a light on it eventually. I did have crippling tendonitis after repeated courses of a Quinolone antibiotic over 6 months about 15 years previously.

[Lclmlbls in reply to SnazzyD]

Many thanks for replying. Sorry to hear about your situation which sounds much worse than mine.

I was hoping someone would say ‘hey, yes everything will be ok when you stop taking pred’. That’s not going to happen is it?

[SnazzyD in reply to Lclmlbls]

Not as simply as that. My tendons are fine now but I now look after them and try to stay strong. What I’m trying to say is that it’s not all down to Pred so that no Pred = back to normal. One has to get into training to deal with the deconditioning and rubbish habits we develop as a result. You could well be ok but a bit of detective work and then the correct remedial action for you as an individual is probably needed. Nobody comes out of a long term systemic illness without needing a bit of a rethink and a do up, Pred or no Pred.

[Lollybygolly in reply to SnazzyD]

My physio explained that tendons are like thin hairs, when pulled into a ponytail they’re incredibly strong but seperated they’re weak. So strapping supporting warming them up properly will keep them working as a team. When they “blow” and swell up it’s incredibly important to cool, use anti inflammatories as gel or tablet, rest and use judiciously till pain free. After a blow up we have to protect them again by strapping cooling and gentle exercise. Even top sportsmen and women get tendonitis, and sports therapists know what to do.

[Lclmlbls in reply to Lollybygolly]

That makes sense. There was a lady at pickleball who had her knee strapped. That’s probably what I should have done. I maybe will will give that a go in a few weeks. It’s all a learning curve isn’t it?

[Lollybygolly in reply to Lclmlbls]

Knees are tricky aren’t they. I’d definitely get your physio to recommend the exact support you need as there are so many with different aims. I used an open hole knee support after cruciate surgery: compression isn’t good for a healing knee.

[Mansplainer101 in reply to Lclmlbls]

If you are going to wrap your knee: last time I had this problem, I ordered about 8 different knee "sleeves" from Amazon, tried them all for about two weeks, and sent them all back save this one: amazon.com/gp/product/B0734...

It extends well above and below the knee, doesn't ride up or down, doesn't smell (don't laugh, as some do), doesn't cause excessive sweating, etc., etc. Needless to say, I have no financial interests in this product.; just a happy customer.

[Lclmlbls in reply to Mansplainer101]

Thank you for that, it’s useful to have advice from a user. Sadly it is out of stock but I will try another supplier.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Once a tendon is delicate it remains so. And it doesn't have to be due to pred.

[Lclmlbls in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, that’s not what I wanted to read! I know I can rely on you for an honest sensible answer. I just hoped I could get back to pre PMR/pred fitness eventually, and play the odd game of badminton and pickle ball like others of a similar age but I know the mere aging process will take its toll regardless.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lclmlbls]

You will - I always mention Skinnyjonny - having been on pred didn;t stop him climbing Annapurna IV just before Covid! But you can't dive straight in where you were before!

[Charlie1boy]

Not sure it will help you to hear this, but I managed to carry on playing racquet ball throughout over seven years of pred, except for a break during the early months of covid.

I did not try to play too competitively though - more from a social point of view, and to enjoy a pint afterwards. I have stopped now, but more because of age, and a dodgy heart condition.

Good luck.

[Raewynne]

I have had tendinitis flare up in a number of areas of old Injuries since I've been on prednisolone. All sorts of funny things happen. Even chilblains flare ups.As I going through a relapse I am aware that these things do happen. I hope my body recovers one day.

[Sharitone]

I feel (and I'm sure everyone else does too) my life has been curtailed so much by this unexpected, horrid PMR.

Amen.

And I hate the word 'fatigue'. It's the new 'f' word, imo.

I'm slowly - very slowly - learning to build my life and expectations on things I can do, not the things I can't do any longer. It does make things easier.