Medics And Osteoarthritis

[Welshman1952]

When I first came to this forum I was an 18st chunky monkey with an unhealthy penchant for chips, donuts etc etc. So, when my GP told me I was T2 it wasn't a huge shock as I had been half expecting the diagnosis for some weeks. Anyway, over the weeks and months that followed, I transformed my diet and started walking regularly. As a result, I am now a healthier 14st and I hope to lose another stone or two before I'm finished.

The truth is that a few years ago, I was really healthy. Back in 2007 I was running 10k and half marathons and had recently qualified as an athletics coach. So, as the weight has been dropping off I have been continually motivated towards pulling those old running shoes out of retirement. The trouble is that while all this has been going on I have had a quite severe pain problem in my right knee. My GP told me it was a torn posterior and anterior miniscus. Unfortunately, a couple of days ago my consultant then broke the news that behind all this I have osteoarthritis in my knee and that eventually it will need to be replaced.

Now, I confess I can be pig-headed but my reaction was - Hey, I'm moving to the coast so surely short runs on the sand would help? My GP and the consultant both say no and that if I try I'll be in pain. My reaction is that I want to try and that there's lots of evidence to suggest slow, short periods of jogging on a soft surface can help. I want to take it very slow and if it begins to hurt then rest and ice until it's healed then try again.

My question is simple: should I listen to the quacks (forgive the term but I am a big fed up with being told what I can't do) or listen to my own advice? Anyone with similar experience or thoughts on the matter?

 

[6cats]

Try it! Be sensible about it but, personally I don't have a great faith in Doctors. You know your body better than they do, go for it and good luck. X

 

[Enclave]

Its your body ... follow what you feel is right for you.

 

[ally1]

Go for it, but go slowly at first and if things feel ok, then go a bit further

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

Sorry, I don't have any experience, but what do you have to lose?

 

[Bluetit1802]

I have a similar problem - a torn miniscus. Mine has deteriorated during the last 2 or 3 years and now locks my knee if I put weight on it (kneeling) or twist it in a certain way, and that can happen when turning over in bed. When it locks I am in agony and cannot move an inch until it decides to unlock. I would advise you to be very careful of running on a soft surface such as sand - so easy to twist it or land badly. It really is not pleasant.

Is your doctor/consultant an orthopaedic specialist? If so, I would listen to him. Seriously.

Well done on that excellent weight loss.

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

I've changed my plea. Please listen to @Bluetit1802 and take it easy

 

[Deleted member 308541]

How about swimming? that would not be as jarring on the knee.

 

[Bluetit1802]

How about swimming? that would not be as jarring on the knee.

Definitely swimming. It is highly recommended for arthritic conditions. Aquarobics would be a good choice. There are usually classes at swimming pools for this.

 

[chalup]

Just be aware that even though sand is soft it also shifts around under your feet. This can be very hard on knees and ankles. Here in Canada they often build running tracks with old tire rubber as the surface which is softer and easier on knees, I don't know if you have that there. Best of luck to you.

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

When I first came to this forum I was an 18st chunky monkey with an unhealthy penchant for chips, donuts etc etc. So, when my GP told me I was T2 it wasn't a huge shock as I had been half expecting the diagnosis for some weeks. Anyway, over the weeks and months that followed, I transformed my diet and started walking regularly. As a result, I am now a healthier 14st and I hope to lose another stone or two before I'm finished.

The truth is that a few years ago, I was really healthy. Back in 2007 I was running 10k and half marathons and had recently qualified as an athletics coach. So, as the weight has been dropping off I have been continually motivated towards pulling those old running shoes out of retirement. The trouble is that while all this has been going on I have had a quite severe pain problem in my right knee. My GP told me it was a torn posterior and anterior miniscus. Unfortunately, a couple of days ago my consultant then broke the news that behind all this I have osteoarthritis in my knee and that eventually it will need to be replaced.

Now, I confess I can be pig-headed but my reaction was - Hey, I'm moving to the coast so surely short runs on the sand would help? My GP and the consultant both say no and that if I try I'll be in pain. My reaction is that I want to try and that there's lots of evidence to suggest slow, short periods of jogging on a soft surface can help. I want to take it very slow and if it begins to hurt then rest and ice until it's healed then try again.

My question is simple: should I listen to the quacks (forgive the term but I am a big fed up with being told what I can't do) or listen to my own advice? Anyone with similar experience or thoughts on the matter?

YES! Easy, they do know best, look at your X-rays.

I've had both my knees replaced although if I'd waited for the cash strapped NHS, I'd still be in a lot of arthritic pain. My original consultant who I first saw in 2002 asked if I played rugby, racquets sport or jogged/ran. 3 out of 3 wasn't bad, and by the way he did say weight doesn't help although not exactly the cause. I was about 14st at the time and I was told that I couldn't have a knee replacement because I was too young. An excuse I heard until I saw a consultant privately about 2 years ago. I had found a prosthetic made by Smith and Nephew with a 30 year warrantee and then found the consultant who was familiar with this prosthetic. My new knees have made an immense improvement in my life and I am sometimes angry that the NHS would still have me waiting because I'm "too young" (64). I have a friend who is late 60s and still waiting.

I think if you have a good long look at your X-Ray and see how much cartilage is left, that will allow you to at least make an informed decision. Certainly running on pavement really is a no no, sand is better. I don't think it's down to it being your body, you have to be sensible. Trust me, when it gets to bone on bone, ie no cartilage at all. It's painful, permanently.

There are several muscle building exercises that will improve the situation and I also went to a company called Altos who have these shoes that they attach mushrooms to the bottoms of. You then exercise with these shoes on, walking around the gym or even the living room. It helped but very expensive.

 

[AndBreathe]

I'm a martyr to my knees.

Actually, I'm not really, but I have had lots of treatment and more than one lot of surgery, and now have osteo arthritis to differing degrees. It only takes one look at an arthrogram for me to know exactly the feedback I'm going to get - particularly on the left one. When it's being troublesome the arthrogram images look like a bad TV picture with all the "snow" we would see eons ago, as I end up with all manner of fragments floating around in there, so an arthroscopy is almost like an oil change.

There are a few things bother my knees. The main thing is diminished muscle bulk in my thighs - quads and hamstrings being particularly important. I now have exercises I do when my knee aches. They're very gentle resistance exercises. The objective is to improve muscle tone and to lift the knee cap from the other bone heads.

If you are going too be close to the beach, the last thing I would be doing early on is running on sand. I would be walking on it though I'd be starting on the firm, compact sand before considering anything unstable, and see how you go, but don't plan to walk too far to begin with as walking on sand is extremely tiring as your muscles get a great workout. Then assess knees feel later and next day.

I walk a lot on sand, and naughtily I do it all barefoot, but I have great feeling in my feet and am conscienteous in looking after them.

Shortly after diagnosis the podiatrist told me she should be telling me off for walking anywhere barefoot, but conceded walking in sand is great for the feet - both in exercise terms and the sand being a great defoliant.

Really do think about this before you go trotting off. You don't want to literally take one step forward and lots back,............ to the Doc, for a decent telling off!

 

[Freema]

well her in Denmark is a discussion about all the many knee-operations and that they mostly do no good... dont know about when changing to a totally new knee.... what about changing your kind of sport like swimming like surgestet in another thread... sometimes we just have to ajust to the harsh realities of life.... and svimming is not the worst for knees as far as I have heard... anyways good luck with whatever you choose...

 

[Energize]

How about swimming? that would not be as jarring on the knee.

I agree swimming would be good but please avoid doing the breast stroke. The bent knee then forcibly kicked out can potentially cause further damage, as far as I understand. By all means check this out with a professional orthopaedic or physio.
However, doing the crawl or butterfly, that doesn't involve this 'kick' is apparently OK for knee conditions.
Julie

 

[Pipp]

Definitely swimming. It is highly recommended for arthritic conditions. Aquarobics would be a good choice. There are usually classes at swimming pools for this.

Yes, any exercise in water. There is no imact on damaged joints. Even for those still with weight to lose.. I know aquarobics is often seen as a women's sport, but we also have men attend the sessions at the pool I use. If you still think that is too girly look for aquarunning.
Another thing that alarmed me , aside from going against advice that you should not run, @Welshman1952 , is your mention of getting out your OLD running shoes. Anyone considering running for exercise should have decent properly fitted running shoes, as old worn shoes offer no protection for feet and knee joints.

Good luck, whatever you decide, and I wish you health and happiness in your new home by the sea.

 

[lizdeluz]

I had a patellar tendon transplant in my left knee joint when I was 23, many moons ago. The original injury happened when I was running - on the school playing field. Unfortunately, despite physio after the original injury, the joint deteriorated, my knee kept dislocating, which led to the operation. I'm attending physio again now, years later, and wondering, not exactly hoping, whether a further op is needed or likely to be offered. I never run because I can't. I swim and do yoga (avoiding or modifying poses that my knee can't cope with), I try to keep my weight down for obvious reasons. My other knee has taken the strain for years and is now not so strong as before, and arthritis is affecting both knees differently. I would suggest that if you feel like running, then you probably can. I feel that I definitely can't. (I can still remember the sickening feeling of that dislocation! ) However, I would take it gradually, and if you're on a great beach, swim instead. Build up your leg muscles doing crawl, and let your arms take the strain for some of the time.