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Knees (oh no - not again)

Hi folks,



First of all, apologies if this one has come up before - I have been having a look but can't find the answers so thought I'd tap into that pool of experience on this forum.



I've got really bad knees - I'm waiting to see a specialist - possibly a 5 month wait! I'm having phisio every 2-3 weeks. I have been having chronic knee pain in one knee for ages - can't climb the stairs or walk downhill or drive etc etc without some serious trouble. Anyway, the phisio is helping loads and I'm still training as it actually doesn't hurt when I train and it doesn't seem to be making the matter worse either. The actual action that causes any pain seems to be really specific (and really hard to replicate when I'm at the doctors)!



Anyway - both knees now make the most dreadful noises - one is a good loud click - which sounds like I've got something in my shoe and the other is more of a peppermill grinding noise.



I was wondering whether joint suppliments or something similar might help but before I waste a load of money on the seamingly endless choice of pills out there does anyone take anything they'd recommend? Or does anyone avoid certain foods etc.



Any advice would be really welcome

Comments

  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    To me it sounds meniscal, these are the pieces of cartilage which cover the bone surfaces to increase stability of the joint and to protect the bones from erosion and shock.

    This would fit with the noises you are hearing, and it is also quite common for you only to get pain at a particular point in the movement of the joint. This is because as the meniscus gets damaged the small tears cause flappy bits which only get caught at certain points during the motion of the joints. I have a posterior tear, which like you doesnt bother me in training as it only hurts when my knee is at full flexion with my ankle in my backside.



    In regards to supplements, I take cod-liver oil, Glucosamine and occasionally chondroitin. I reckon these have had a positive affect on my tear as pain has significantly reduced since I started taking them, and my knees don't feel as unstable as they used to!

    good luck!
  • TommiTri wrote:


    To me it sounds meniscal, these are the pieces of cartilage which cover the bone surfaces to increase stability of the joint and to protect the bones from erosion and shock.

    This would fit with the noises you are hearing, and it is also quite common for you only to get pain at a particular point in the movement of the joint. This is because as the meniscus gets damaged the small tears cause flappy bits which only get caught at certain points during the motion of the joints. I have a posterior tear, which like you doesnt bother me in training as it only hurts when my knee is at full flexion with my ankle in my backside.



    In regards to supplements, I take cod-liver oil, Glucosamine and occasionally chondroitin. I reckon these have had a positive affect on my tear as pain has significantly reduced since I started taking them, and my knees don't feel as unstable as they used to!

    good luck!



    TommiTri - you should go into Orthopedic Surgey!!. Can vouch for the Gluco / Cod / Condroitin diet. Glucosamine and Chondroitin is shown to stimulate cartilage repair. Certainly works for me!
  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    I'm tempted by orthopaedics but I think I am going for neurosurgery instead! If I can get the job!
  • Thanks for the advice guys, I've just been online and ordered me a nice big supply - here's hoping that they help!



    Happy training this weekend! I'm off for a lovely cold open water swim in a small tarn near us - it's pretty high up so it's always a bit on the chilly side! Mind you, I think I can use it as therapy for the knees - I'm sure cold water baths are all the rage these days.

  • rj1265rj1265 Posts: 70
    Another set of knees / hips / back vouching for Glucosamine, Chondroitin , Cod Liver Oil AND ... MSM --- no more anti-inflams for me ....



    LegalBeagle - Like Tommi has said it sounds meniscal .. in my day we used to say cartilage trouble.... I have had 2 ops on my knees (removing bits of cartilage and bone nodules from the underside of the kneecap).... they still make the most wonderous noises but ... they work and I am pain free there!!!



    Good Luck and be careful training.... take it easy - it could be time to get some serious swimming sessions in, even though it doesn't hurt when training you could be doing more damage..



    BigR
  • Thanks rj265 - it's really nice to hear that there is a bit of hope.



    My training is pretty steady - Swimming is my favourite bit so I tend to do more of that anyway (I know that's not the right way to do it but ...well, we do this for fun don't we?). Cycling is the thing that upsets the knees the most so I take that pretty easy and as for my running, well it's barely above walking pace cos I'm a cr*p runner!



    I'm really looking forward to seeing if the suppliments help in my case - I feel like I'm doing my own little research project. From what you've all said it sounds like I could be in for some real improvements.
  • niknakniknak Posts: 8
    Thought I would chip in my two peneth worth here as my knees click and I get considerable pain after cycling.

    The problem has now largely been resolved. I was using SPD pedals, two sided pedals, now I've swapped

    to Keo single sided, this has made a massive difference as the SPD puts big pressure on the knee joint.

    You may already have single sided pedals?



    I mentioned it to my osteopath too, and he gave me some yoga exercises. Basically you raise your

    thigh till parallel to the ground and keep your calf relaxed then swinging in gently forward and back, then swing it side to

    side, relaxed and like pendulum. Then kick your bum on your heel three times then shake it out. Sounds a bit freaky

    perhaps but it's worked for me.





    Hope it helps, but good luck with it.



  • Thanks NikNak - I'll give that a go - here's hoping I don't fall flat on my face!
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