Knee problems, can surgery be avoided? - Arthritis Message Board

soulsister75 · 08-13-2002, 12:55 AM

Hi!

I've had my both knees drained and injected with cortisone twice in jan-feb 2001, after which they calmed down. i started taking MTX in jan 01 and haven't had problems with my knees until june this year.

i had 2 flu viruses in a row last march and i suspect that's why my right knee is freaking out again. i've already been to my RA doctor who tried to drain the knee in june but didn't succeed as the swelling wasn't liquid anymore but had turned into gel and it hurt like h*** when she tried to pull the stuff out.
she injected cortisone but it didn't help. after a month, in july my knee was so swollen i could hardly walk.

i then decided to try nerve track massage (don't know the "proper" name in english, pardon me) as it's helped my mom's colleague from work. this lady has had RA for about 30-40 years and she was heading for knee surgery when she tried nerve track massage and it helped her so much that she could cancel the knee operation.

i've had this massage treatment twice now and both times it's helped me almost immediately. you can see the results already the next day when the swelling starts decreasing. however, this treatment should help
after 1-3 times and i've heard that it's not recommended going there regularly for a long stretch of time. the massage is painful but very effective, i warmly recommend it to anyone suffering from the same problem.

however, i'm now looking into a back-up plan should this not help. at least so far my knee's first started calming down for a week or two after the massage, and then the swelling has started all over again. it doesn't seem top be getting better. i'd really not want to have surgery on my knee.

i've tried to rest my legs but it's really hard as i love walking and am very active by nature. i'm slightly overweight and am afraid that my weight will go up if my knee stays this way and i can't get my daily dosage of exercise. i know extra weight is hard on the joints.

anyone have any thoughts on this?

drs · 08-13-2002, 08:37 AM

Have you ever taken MSM, that's suppose to help swelling in the joints. I took msm, and glucosamine and condroiton sulfate. You need at least 750mgs to start with twice daily of the gluc.+condroiton sulfate. Make sure you eat something first...some people get nasty headaches when they don't eat with this nutrient.

My knees hurt so bad I was hardly able to walk. Now I take half that amount daily. It's suppose to help rebuild the cartalidge in the joints and provide lubrication for movement. The msm helps with pain and swelling while the other rebuilds. It takes a few months depending on the extent of the damage. My mother has had both her knees replaced...I sure didn't want that!!!!! I am totally pain free now...it has helped numerous people that I know personally. Diana

moonchild141 · 08-13-2002, 12:37 PM

i asked My rheumatologist about taking glucosamine and chondroiten and msm he said absolutley not. has anyone else doctor told them not to take this as well. he said that only helps osteoarthritis and not RA. but i dunno would seem to me if it helps your cartlige why not take it?>

MegHurts · 08-13-2002, 03:29 PM

You might want to try awua therapy for a while - swim! That way when you exercise, your knee wont have the added weight or pressure on it while you do stregthen it. Also, try working out in warm water, like in a heated pool or even do leg exercises in a hot tub. Arthritis foundations worldwide have programs called "Joints in Motion" and they offer free classes and such to arthritis sufferers. You might want to check into them for lists of where you can go.

As for the Glucosamine, I would stay away from it. Back in January, I was misdiagnosed. They thought the nodes in my hand were something else than arthritis and when I started reading up on this "wrong disease" I read alot about Glucosamine and how it CAUSES nodes and lumps because it has a high concentrate of collegen and when your body absorbs too much of it, it can be harmful. So in my opinion too, Id NOT use it.

Ive tried a cream called Arnica Cream. You can buy it at a healthfood store and rub it where it hurts. Oriental medicine uses it alot and so do athletes for achey/bruised/swollen joints. I find it helps for a while. Also, have you tried Theragesic? Its a heating cream that works so well! On my most stiff days, I find that applying this on my sore spots does help take the edge off.

If your medicine isnt working though, Id speak to your Rheumatologist about perhaps trying another medicine or adding one to your regime. No one wants to live in pain. You shouldnt have to either.

Hang in there!

Meg

rhody · 08-13-2002, 07:43 PM

soulsister75,

We have no idea exactly what is causing your knee problems, but I know if I were you, I'd look at every natural means to get well first before surgery. What does the doctor say the surgery will do? I think there is some skepticism whether knee surgery could help in some people (it depends what is the problem).

I'd review things like herbs, dietary changes, supplements, massage, and light exercise. I say that about not only knees, but any medical problem. If there is a remote possibility of a less intrusive way to heal ourselves, then that's the route that I'm taking. If after exhausting every natural means to get well, and it doesn't work - then I'd try surgery if I thought it meant getting well.

That's my perspective on the subject. I hope that gives you some ideas, so that you can discuss them with your doctor.