Arthritis Support Group

Hoppet,
Do you have any redness or swelling behind the knee? Any knots or bulges? Anything that feels like a cord?
While exercise is very good for arthritic joints you have to find a happy medium. Exercise is going to hurt a bad joint, but the stronger you get the muscles around the joint, the less stress there is on the joint itself. So, you exercise as much as you can, but have to learn to guage what is ok pain and what is pain bad enough to say no more. It is a judgement call and takes some experience to figure out.
It sounds like you couuld really benefit from some physical therapy. You might want to ask your doctor to order some for you. They could help you come up with exercises that are safe and effective.

Vanyel

I don´t quite know where to reply to your questions, Vanyel..so I am doing it here. Yes, I have something that feels like a cord behind my knee..and I have swelling behind my knee..and when things get more painful..I also have swelling on the front side. Why do you ask? What does this tell you?

Thank you very much for you reply. I am going to my doctor´s again this coming Weds. as my knee is getting steadily worse since I began working again last Monday. I am back on my anti inflam. meds..but I can´t take them forever..or??

hoppet

Vanyel..I just wanted to add that your info about the pain and learning to interpret it was very very helpful. I was sort of starting to realize that this is probably the case..I have to learn to work with my body and what it is trying to tell me..and you confirmed this in a very clear way. Thank you..
Usually the idea is..if it hurts..don´t do it..but I am beginning to realize this is not quite the case in arthritis. I do yoga..self taught..on a simple scale..and I don´t want to have to give that up for too long..I think I get the message now.

One more question..since I do feel a cord-like thing at the back of my knee..and have been wondering about that..what does it tell you?

A cord like thing behind the knee could be a blood vessel that has a clot or clots in it. You might want to have your doc get an ultrasound of the veins in your leg to make sure you don't have a clot somewhere in there.

Sorry to hear the knee is getting worse. You can take the anti inflammatory meds for some time, though long term use can lead to stomach problems and there is some question of them making heart problems worse in people with existing heart disease. I would not worry about that just yet unless you are getting stomach upset or severe heartburn with them.

Swelling behind the knee could be what they call a Baker's cyst - which is from inflammation and things rubbing together in there. Is your doctor an orthopedic doc? Or are you seeing your family doc? They might need to get some xrays and possibly an MRI of the knee to see what is going on in there.

Good luck with your next appointment. I hope they can figure something out to help you get it settled down.

Vanyel

Water aerobics may be to your liking. It is a better form of exercise if your have movement limitations in the knees, feet, hips or shoulder areas. You will modify your movement to your comfort zone, get a satisfactory workout that will giving you a feeling of accomplishment and you'll likely meet a great group of people with something in common.

Water exercise is the only exercise my doctor ever recomended. I can do more in that then any other way. DEE

You could try gentle walks to get the joints moving and also get fit.
Gentle excerise that can be done, ask your doctor.
Also you could try pt to help out with the pain.
Good luck and gentle hugs to you.

There are many different sleeves made to support the knee at your local drug store. Some are for more advances knee problems so start with an elastic one. By all means join an arthritis water therapy class. You'll love that and pick up lots more tips.

You also sound like you have a "bakers cyst". I have it with my arthritis, and my Doc says no thread mill. stationary bike is best.. but of course not when you are in pain.