The problem with pain meds is that they just mask the pain and become less effective as time goes on. I tried everything except narcotics and had cortisone injections, none of which provided lasting relief. I ended up having knee replacement surgery, which fixed the problem.
I have, like, no cartilage left in my knees and wear soft braces when they become nuisances. If braces alone don’t help, I’ll put on a an ointment; we keep Tiger Balm around here.
For those who got knee replacements, and if it isn’t too intrusive, may I ask how old you were at the time?
I’ll use Bigeloil horse linament on my knees, put on knee braces, and use Aleve, though because of too many years of hard drinking, I try to avoid NSAIDs when I can.
I take lots of NSAIDs for other problems, but tend to avoid them for the knees. A soft knee brace helps to a surprising degree, sometimes making the difference between being able to walk normally, or limping along in moderate-to-severe pain.
My knee problem was more severe 30 years ago, when it was rather vaguely diagnosed by an orthopedist as “kinda like ‘jumper’s knee’ but not exactly.” Nowadays I can go months or even years between flare-ups - months of frequent squatting and lifting, along with much time on my knees (CPR instructing, primarily).
But each flare-up frightens me: is this the one that doesn’t get better?
I was 69 when I had my knee replaced. I had a very easy recovery. I know some are not so fortunate but I think it was because I stayed active (walking at least 4 miles daily), mostly just working through pain prior to surgery, and also because I had a really great surgeon.
This might sound counter-intuitive, but the last time my knee hurt, intense mogul skiing seemed to do the trick. Strengthened the muscles around it, and helped the knee. Pain was gone pretty quick and never returned.
This time, the source of the pain is different. Arthritis I suspect. Not sure if this will work again, and it’s a long time off till ski season. So I just suck it up and limp around.
I started having knee pain in my thirties. Because I was dancing a lot at the time, I went to a sports medicine clinic.
The doctor who analyzed my problem said that I have loose kneecaps, and had me see a physical therapist. They work like a charm… when I remember to do them.
(This also is true of my back pain and being wobbly. I have exercises to fix those problems and they also work well. Which means if I have any of those problems I just feel stupid for letting myself lapse)
Don’t waste your time on krill oil.
Resistance training is the only thing that I’ve found that helps. Maybe because it stabilizes the muscles around the knee joint and distributes the weight better, I dunno.
I started having knee problems when I was in collect, I went to a specialist and was told I had "loose cartilage’ and there wasn’t anything to do for it but take naproxen (which at that time was prescription only) when the pain was bad. He mentioned that at some time the cartilage might tear, at which point I’d have a torn cartilage, and that they could fix.
So I spent the next forty years having occasional knee pain. Once or twice the knee would swell, and I’d wrap it up, and then it would get better. A few years ago I asked my doctor about it and after feeling it he said that looked like I know had arthritis. Earlier this year U saw a physical therapist who set me up with a batch of stretching exercises, which seem to be helping (when I remember to do them).
I messed up my knee 19 years ago walking down into the Grand Canyon. Now I’ll be fine for a few years, and then occasionally have a year of pain.
I’ve tried various knee braces and sleeves. Most of them only make it hurt worse. But this cheap Walmart store-brand helps a LOT:
On the advice of a doctor several years ago, I began taking glucosamine chondroitin capsules for pain in my left knee. This supplement is in the “maybe it can help; it probably won’t hurt” category. I didn’t see phenomenal improvement, but it did seem to help alleviate the pain somewhat. I took it for about a year and then stopped; haven’t had any major issues since.
The knee pain wasn’t constant, but it was troublesome at times; climbing stairs was an issue.
I’d be very interested to know specific exercises that you do.
Grin and bear it, mostly. Maybe some ibuprofen.
Back in 2010, my entire body seemed to be falling apart. Gallbladder. Shoulder (rotator cuff). Knee (sounded like Rice Krispies going down stairs). And there were times that the knee pain was so bad that I wanted to use a cane - but the side I’d use the cane on was the one with the shoulder pain.
I used Arthrotec (which I think is Voltaren + a stomach protectant) for a bit, and that worked beautifully. Too well, I joke, as I was once walking too fast, and rolled and sprained my ankle.
And I had joint fluid injections in that knee. I was told those would last a few months, but the pain has never gotten that bad ever again.
I cannot ride a bike any more. Well, I’m sure I could but I’d spend the next 3 weeks paying for it. Hot tubs are also used with some trepidation; I once used one at a hotel, and it felt loooooovely, but apparently the heat increased the blood flow and thus inflammation in the knee - so I paid for THAT for several days as well.
Squats and deadlifts. Not lunges. I strongly recommend people with knee pain do not do lunges. I messed up my knee for a while doing lunges.
I had knee surgery in high school and that helped a lot, but my knees haven’t ever been that stable ever since. I particularly have difficulty going down stairs.
Strength training just provides more stability.
For a while I tried brushing my teeth while standing on one foot. Great for leg strength but I hurt myself too often to continue. I’d like to start up again just maybe two or three times a week instead of twice a day.
If you are considering cycling 150+km a week, I’ve tried it, it doesn’t work.
CYMBALTA
It’s actually an antidepressant. People reported it alleviating arthritic knees. I saw commercials for it ten or so years ago.
I’ve had bad knees since junior high school. As I got older, they began feeling like they would give way. I was afraid I’d end up splattered on the floor. And my evenings were spent in pain. I’d done the whole PT a couple of times. It helped, but like most people, I didn’t continue the exercises on my own.
After seeing the commercials, I asked my doctor about Cymbalta. She wrote me a prescription for it immediately.
Within two weeks, the pain was GONE.
I told a friend about it. Her knee pain was so bad, she had stem cell therapy, paid out of her own pocket.
She still had pain. Again, I recommended Cymbalta. She wanted to know if it was an opioid or anti-inflammatory. I said neither; it’s an anti-depressant.
Months passed. I finally received a text from her, telling me she had tried (you guessed it) Cymbalta. “It’s great stuff!”
I said, “Yeah, I know. I’ve been recommending it to you for years!”
~VOW
Just curious if your insurance covers off-label use of this medication?
You asking me?
As far as I know, musculoskeletal/osteoarthritis pain is a legitimate reason to prescribe Cymbalta.
I don’t think the FDA would permit advertising for off-label use of prescription drugs.
~VOW