Are you Experiencing knee problems?

[mkmk]

Hello everyone. Does anyone have an idea about what I can do to improve my knees conditions?

I have been going back and forth to see my doctor concerning both knees. Although getting my MIR helped in identifying both of the affected knee areas, as illustrated in red in the picture below, he did not know what to do with regards to to improving my knees conditions. I believe that my knees have deteriorated over time because of my past involvement in strenuous physical activities (Soccer, Weight -lifting, Basketball, etc...). Unfortunately, I cannot do anyone running, jumping, or any types of cardio exercises that are essential for keeping a good physical health.

If you are experiencing or have experiencing knees health problems, What approach did you use to effectively address the issue?

Thanks, in advance for your reply.

[Hidden]

Hi, sorry to hear about you knees. I know from personal experience just how painful and debilitating it can be.

I never found the root-cause of my problems, and the doctor was never successful with any advice or treatment. Then I managed to get a physio referral...What a change to my life!

I was in such pain in the Lake District once I thought I would have to be carried off by the MRT, but I managed to shuffle along using my wife as a prop.

The physio used various methods and techniques and the results were spectacular. 20 years later I am still running, walking, cycling (that one really helps) and rock-scrambling. I also lead a Scout group and take the little 'darlings' out on the local moor and up to some really big hills on camps. OK, I still get an occasional twinge, but that is all; nothing more.

My advice would be to get a physio appointment, and chat it over with them.

[Hairyman in reply to Hidden]

Spot on, a physio friend of ours gets really mad about doctors who forget that physiotherapists are often much more skilled at diagnosis and treatment of injuries.

This is an appeal to any GPs reading, please don't send the patient to hospital unless fractures are suspected. send them to physio instead.

[Hidden]

I injured my left knee when I was 25 playing football. The knee swelled up. The doctor told me I had torn a ligament and bandage it up, but when I came to live in London I was told I had stretched it which is a different matter especially where healing is concerned.

I hurt it several times after this playing football and tennis but I was able to exercise and walk. However it was easliy teaked and could remain quite sore for which I was prescribed Volterol and a cold pack as well as strengthing exercises.

in the past year at the gae of 74 after following PD exercises religiously, I experienced a downturn when, as it seemed, I had water on the knee. I used volterol, massage and cold treatment which didn't help. Finally I saw a consultant who told me there was no water on the knee but that I needed a replacement. Only game in town.

The thing I dislike about the knee op is the use of a general anaesthetic. I have a thing about these believing that they are bad for the young and the old. As PD sufferers we are already prone to dementia. I believe general anaesthetics make this even more likey. Is there anything else they can use eg an epidural?

That was my left knee. Already I can feel my right knee beginning to whinge and I want to get back to regular exercising.

[andmikel]

I had a torn cartilage in my right knee and could hardly walk to the toilet for six months until I was finally diagnosed and started to recover. It is possible to maintain a degree of fitness using dumbbells whist sitting on a stool. This helps with the torso and arms. The only non load bearing exercise for my legs was swimming,. although I did keep moving my feet and ankles with my legs resting on a footstool. I had previously walked for an hour or two every day it didn't rain prior to this. I finally got a course of physio and my knee is much improved and I got on a fitness course for chest/heart problem sufferers (I have a metal Aorta and COPD). I am much improved, not to my previous condition and now I have a pace maker I can dig the garden and walk reasonably on the level. I hope this gives you some ideas to help you improve your condition.

[Hairyman in reply to andmikel]

The only thing I would add to the dumbells is resistance bands. One can use them to get quite an effective cardio exercise while seated.

[desperatedan1]

Hi i had a real problem,my doctor said it was this and that once drained my knee of fluid fluid came back in a week,so without advice from my dr i lost 3 and a half stone now i don't have a problem hope that helps

[johnsmith]

All knee problems are different. Some can be helped by physios some can be helped by studying physics and spinal reflexes.

In the 1970's a lot of work was done in Canada on the passive movement of limbs. In this work it was shown that passive movement of limbs using some form of apparatus was able to regenerate cartilage. The passive movement did not put any stress on the cartridge and the passive movement ensured that nutrient was distributed to the cartilage. Cartilage has no blood supply so relies on diffusion type mechanisms to receive nutrient.

Exercising with weights is not a good idea as this applies compressive forces on areas that are inflamed.

If the new joint is carefully examined it can be seen that it is designed for the centre of gravity to pass through the centre of the knee. Many people do not allow this to happen because of the weight and loading they put on their ankles. There is a need to change the way the foot moves so that the ankle joint moves the way it is designed. The rotation forces are designed to rotate along a line that lies along the gap between the big toe and the toe next to it. Many people do not rotate there ankle joint along this line.

The foot on the ground is designed to have the points of pressure on a triangle. One point being the heel and the other two points being the bone behind the big toe and the bone just on the inside of the small toe.

These points can be found by experimentation.

Work on putting the centre of gravity though the centre of the knee and see what happens.

Hope this has been helpful.