Medic types, boney advice

[silverback mike]

Hello to the ph medics.

I have big snags with both of my knees, with osteo arthritis which I presume was brought about by too many years of rugby, running etc etc.
I take glucosamine trisulphate, and like keeping myself fit with weights, concept rowing machine, x trainer, and light running - I don't run on the roads as it's too impactive.

Other than this I have a historically fractured C3 vertebrae which I presume causes lots of muscular pain - every few months I feel a 'twang' and know for the next 5 days I will be virtually unable to turn my head, and have chest/arm/back pain that is very acute. I haven't had any time off work, and don't intend doing so as I'm not a sick bay ranger, but to be blatantly honest, It's getting to the stage where I may have to.

My question is....is there anything I can do to alleviate the pain. I get very frustrated that I can't push myself as much as I would like to, and I guess I don't want to take the degeneration lying down. I feel the fitness regime isn't harming as at least the joints are mobile - but I'm no expert. Its so frustrating though.

I'm 35, not overweight and still fitter than a lot of the young uns

Tia,
Mike.

[Zod]

I'm not a medic, but I am a rower: don't overcompress on the Concept 2 if you have dodgy knees.

[silverback mike]

Zod said:

I'm not a medic, but I am a rower: don't overcompress on the Concept 2 if you have dodgy knees.

Tks zod, do you mean not to push too hard on the legs, but to pull on the arms more?
I generally do 30 mins with the lever right to the top for 5 out of 7 days.

[nailer]

You are doing the right thing with regards to activity. Keeping moving / exercising is extremely important. You have given a couple of good reasons for pain - C3# rugby players knees. The evidence for glucosamine is reasonable evidence, I take it and get benefit. As far as other pain killers go, start simple and work up, regular paracetamol is an excellent pain killer, Ibuprofen if you can tolerate it.
What depresses me now at a similar age to you is I don't mind creaking my way around a 6 mile run I just know I will never be as fast as I was aged 17!

>> Edited by nailer on Friday 6th January 18:35

[glocko]

Might be worth investing in a few sessions with a sports physio. He/she would be able to advise you on appropriate exercise and limitations bearing in mind your probs.
HTH

[silverback mike]

Thanks Fellas

[gorvid]

I had clicky knees for a few years due to too much football etc...

I found good old cod-liver oil really helped after being advised this by a friend.

Whole new kettle of fish now though:

18 months ago I was playing a footy tournament and I managed to bend my left leg 30 degrees out to the right at the knee joint...

Ligaments torn,
Cartilage torn,
Cruciate gone,
Bugger.

Had loads of Physio, then it went again twice when I was just walking.
Now I have had the cartilage removed - its in a jar in my kitchen!

It went again the other day...

Getting fed up now

>> Edited by gorvid on Friday 6th January 19:29

[cossie.]

Is it worth visiting a Chiropractor? I've recently had 5 treatment sessions and am now virtually headache free, having suffered chronic pain for years and years. My C1 and C2 were out of alignment. The treatment is so gentle and yet appears to be very effective in alleviating pain - believe me!

[OUTLAW-1]

just keep em warm and active no hevy stuff like your doing that will cause inpact too them

If your useing pain killers autinate pain killers from one too another so you dont get used too one and build a tolorence to them.

I know because mine are shot as well as I have a spinal curvature. ie my hips are out of line causeing me to twist and wear my knees and put uneven weight on em.

and a lot of neck pain as the main curv is theradic. and my left sholder aint that hot ether thease days.

that said its the dam neck clicking that drives me nuts more than the pain
my whole spines prity much out of alinement.




>> Edited by OUTLAW-1 on Friday 6th January 20:27

>> Edited by OUTLAW-1 on Friday 6th January 20:31

[Zod]

silverback mike said:

Zod said: I'm not a medic, but I am a rower: don't overcompress on the Concept 2 if you have dodgy knees. Tks zod, do you mean not to push too hard on the legs, but to pull on the arms more? I generally do 30 mins with the lever right to the top for 5 out of 7 days.

No, use the whole body, but don't compress the legs too much (i.e. don't try and touch your ankles with your bum). Legs are important, because pulling too much with the arms without the legs could be bad for your back.

Ideally, you shouldn't stick the lever at the top, but more like half-way on 5 or so (to be technical, the perfect setting is a drag factor of 140 (supposed to be just about equivalent to the drag of water on an oar in an 8), which you can set via the display on the machine, but don't worry too much about that).

[silverback mike]

Thanks folks - cossie I have thought about a chiropractor, but I'm not sure the doctor would advocate using them, but I will look into it.

I'll try changing the settings on the concept zod, but I must admit I do like to feel a heavyish pull rather than one with less resistance.

It makes me mad all the loafing young'uns with perfectly serviceable knees they don't bother to use, shame we can't have interchangeable parts........no there's a potential can of worms!

[mybrainhurts]

Have you tried WD40...?

[silverback mike]

mybrainhurts said:

Have you tried WD40...?

Or copperslip Just the job.

[The_Doc]

silverback mike said:

Hello to the ph medics. I have big snags with both of my knees, with osteo arthritis which I presume was brought about by too many years of rugby, running etc etc. I take glucosamine trisulphate, and like keeping myself fit with weights, concept rowing machine, x trainer, and light running - I don't run on the roads as it's too impactive. Other than this I have a historically fractured C3 vertebrae which I presume causes lots of muscular pain - every few months I feel a 'twang' and know for the next 5 days I will be virtually unable to turn my head, and have chest/arm/back pain that is very acute. I haven't had any time off work, and don't intend doing so as I'm not a sick bay ranger, but to be blatantly honest, It's getting to the stage where I may have to. My question is....is there anything I can do to alleviate the pain. I get very frustrated that I can't push myself as much as I would like to, and I guess I don't want to take the degeneration lying down. I feel the fitness regime isn't harming as at least the joints are mobile - but I'm no expert. Its so frustrating though. I'm 35, not overweight and still fitter than a lot of the young uns Tia, Mike.

Hi Mike,
I'm an orthopaedic surgeon so i'll try and address some of your questions. I'll give you advice, but if you find something that works, then the best advice is carry on doing it. Just don't spunk all your money on expensive chiropracters/physios/osteopaths.

Painful knees: You are 35, unless you have damaged the joints with fratures or BIG injuries you are unlikely to have osteoarthritis on an xray. It has specific features which take 80,000 miles on the clock to develop. My guess is you are less than this.
You are not overweight. This is the single biggest thing in your favour with knee pain.
Keep mobile. Exercise, but don't be angry if you cannot do what an 18 yr old can. It's called getting older, and it starts with a scream and a midwife saying "well done Mrs Silverback, you have a Mike"

Painkillers: Use them if you want, pain does not exist except in your mind, which sounds like arse but really means: if you expect to have pain: take a pill. Paracetamol is 100% safe in normal doses, Ibuprofen similarly suits many people. No addiction, EVER. Anything with codeine in it will: cause dependance, give you constipation, work less and less well as you grow accustomed to it.

Glucosamine/Cod Liver Oil/Chondroitin: Glucosamine MAY help a little in the long term, but the jury's out on all these. If they help you then great, otherwise don't waste your money.

Exercise types: running on tarmac=BAD. Too much of any one thing at the gym particularly the unbalanced/resistance stuff can also be bad. Do a bit of everything, not huge amounts of one thing. And if a machine causes a joint to feel weird or you get apprehension, then STOP. Joints feel weird when they are about to give out, or just have. Ever seen video of someone tearing their Anterior Cruciate Ligament?

Acupuncture: hmmmmmmmmm
Homeopathy: hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... actually not hmmm: ARSE!

Finally: See a specialist, it's what your taxes pay for. Just don't expect to be seen in the outpatients quickly. YOu have nothing to lose by seeing someone.

All my thoughts are off the cuff whilst I wait for my next case in theatre. I advice you based on simple details you have provided, so get the real acurate advice by seeing someone in the flesh.

Will.
PS: Gillian McKeith speaks little in the way of truth, but gets MASSIVE coverage and acknowledgement because the media love her. Accuracy of advice is rarely the same as sexy program material.

[silverback mike]

Thank you Will, much appreciated.

I went for an MRI scan about six months ago, which highlighted 'excessive wear and tear' also highlighting a lack of cartilege in both. ACL, lateral and medial ligaments are fine, and quads strong enough.

The doc at the time took time to explain that in essence my knees would need replacing in the fullness of time, but at my age I am far too young for anything that major, and anything else wouldn't really sort the problem, so it was a case of living with it and being sensible - he also stressed that sport was still a good idea, as long as I was no longer playing full contact rugby etc....the trouble is is that being a serving Police officer, it makes it pretty difficult and am under medical review and doesn't help when the damn things either give way or render themselves pretty useless going up and down stairs!!!

Thanks for taking the time to post Will, (and others )I guess it's just a case of suck and see whilst remaining active, trouble is, I'm not one to be sedentary for long.

Best wishes to all.
Mike.

P.S. Gillian Mckeith - if she's an advert for healthy eating I'll eat my pants, she looks like a 'sudden death' in waiting......she isn't a proper doctor either.

>> Edited by silverback mike on Saturday 7th January 16:12

[catso]

mybrainhurts said:

Have you tried WD40...?

2000 uses for WD-40

www.twbc.org/wd40.htm