Advice needed RE:Knee Injury

I started getting discomfort in my right knee about 2 years ago and put it down to the fact I was cycling 16 miles a day. It didn't really disappear when I gave cycling a break and eventually I saw my GP who referred me to a joint specialist who gave me an MRI scan. Cut a long story short I have a touch of early osteoarthritis (at 46 ) which has effectively ruled out running any more.

The specialist recommended Glucosamine and Chondritin (spelling?) but said make sure I get the high dose (think horse tablets) ones i.e 1500mg. They are pricey but Boots do a three for one deal on "Glucosamex plus". Works out about 60 quid for three months supply. I can't swear to it but the discomfort has reduced. I can walk a fair distance with the baby carrier on my back although I have invested in a hiking pole.

Rose hip apparently has also been found to be of some benefit in recent studies... it is supposed to encourage cartilage growth.

[rictus01]

As far as I'm aware glucosamine acts to thicken the joint fluid and promote cartilage grouth and provided you have some should help, chondroitin does much the same thing for connective tissue (tendons & ligaments) so if they are recovering it'll likewise help.

However they will do nothing for major injury, so it very much depends on the severity you have.

Cheers Mark.

Originally Posted by rictus01

As far as I'm aware glucosamine acts to thicken the joint fluid and promote cartilage grouth and provided you have some should help, chondroitin does much the same thing for connective tissue (tendons & ligaments) so if they are recovering it'll likewise help.

However they will do nothing for major injury, so it very much depends on the severity you have.

Cheers Mark.

There's an excellent write up on it here


http://www.cocoonnutrition.org/catal...ne_sulfate.php

[rictus01]

Oh I've see just about all there is to on the subject, trust me everyday pain gives you an incentive, both of these supliment the bodies own repair/rebuild of ligaments/ cartilage and as said should there be anything left to repair then they will help.

But if the end of a bone has been shattered and rebuilt surgically and the cartilage is gone, it's not going to grow back, likewise it won't work on a replacement ligament either.

As I previously posted it's a case of degree I suppose.

Cheers Mark.

i have hasd the steriod injection in my hip n it wasnt as painful as be for all u can do is give it a go, i bloody hurts tho lol
i hope you get on ok

I have patients who swear by Glucosamine and Devil's claw dx

Originally Posted by rictus01

Oh I've see just about all there is to on the subject, trust me everyday pain gives you an incentive, both of these supliment the bodies own repair/rebuild of ligaments/ cartilage and as said should there be anything left to repair then they will help.

But if the end of a bone has been shattered and rebuilt surgically and the cartilage is gone, it's not going to grow back, likewise it won't work on a replacement ligament either.

As I previously posted it's a case of degree I suppose.

Cheers Mark.

I think it's one of those things though-it is worth trying individually as it does no harm, just in case a slight degree of pain relief due to an improvement of ligament support to the area even makes the difference between coping and not coping with the pain. It's impossible to know without the individual trying.

I'm very aware of chronic pain and how debilitating it is-I have been offered morphine tablets twice so far as the next step in pain management, but hope to delay that as much as possible.

Thanks everyone, well ,I'll be trying all ideas/advice put forward so far, even if something only just takes the edge off the pain it will be an improvement.

Many Thanks everyone

Originally Posted by SAMMY650

Thanks everyone, well ,I'll be trying all ideas/advice put forward so far, even if something only just takes the edge off the pain it will be an improvement.

Many Thanks everyone

Best o luck

Don't know if this will help but my other half (Bev) is a physio, she suggests trying acupuncture as she has had good results from traeting people with it. steroids are strong anti inflammatories and pain killers, but she say's to try a max of 2 injections at first, if no response after the 2nd then they are not effective and any more would be pointless. Also have you had physio, if not then ask for a referal, some physio's use accupuncture as a treatment.

Hope this helps.

Daryl.