Bum knee :(

[Timewise]

All,
In my lifetime they have made remarkable improvements in helping people with joint problems.  When I played football in the late 60's, a knee or shoulder injury meant a major operation that would cost you a complete season if not stop one from ever playing sports again.  Now with injections, arthroscopic surgeries, and joint replacements they can fix most any knee, hip, or shoulder problems making them without pain if not allowing one to continue playing sports.   

I found the injections of cortisone very painful (burned like fire when they were given) and the time they helped minimize pain, for me was less than 6 months.  I was hoping for something that suited my better so I could avoid surgery or knee replacement.   The new injections, Hyalgan, as I noted above....stopped the pain for 12 months or more and did not hurt when being injected!   

So if you are having joint pain that is impacting your lifestyle....go get help as they have a number of good options....

[Shanny]

What's the difference here between tearing the meniscus and tearing the ACL?

[Timewise]

The meniscus is a cartilage pad that lays between the knee bones top and bottom.  It acts as a pad and when torn it gets rough and irritated when you walk, run, etc.  We used to call it torn cartilage and I played sports on it for 4-5 years after the initial injury. Until recently it would swell and pain when I did any walking or exercise.   It was not until 40 years later that this new injection solved the pain issues for me.

The ACL is a tendon that connects muscles to the bones, when torn, the knee is not functioning properly because that muscle is detached from the knee.  When this happens it is extremely painful and usually you cannot walk on it without severe pain.  You have to get surgery on these when they happen...

[Grammabear]

My knees have begun to bother me getting up if I sit too long. I hope this is not my future I see here. Is there something I can do to ward off developments like it giving out? I have never had any knee injuries, they just hurt sometimes when I stand after sitting a long time.

Welcome to the forum Maggie.  Don't be discouraged by reading of other folks' knee problems.  In my case I did nothing except walk across the floor when my knee 'gave out'.  I imagine there is a reason, but the nurse at my doctor office didn't bother to offer a reason to me.  I have had good results from physical therapy in the past for other problems, and I wanted to try PT this time.  If the therapist can't help me, he will tell me straight away and I will seek the advice of an orthopedic doctor. 

[Grammabear]

Mine do too, Maggie, and before I forget . . . welcome aboard!


What I do when my knees act a little creaky is wear a knee brace for a day or three. Especially in bed it helps if aching develops during the night - the braces stabilize the joint and really make a difference. Just ordinary elastic braces - nothing fancy or expensive.

Shanny - Are you referring to the knee braces that one would find in the health department of most local drugstores?  My reason for asking is that I am really hurting this morning and I thought I would ask my OWC to take me to town so I can find one of these braces?

[Shanny]

Yep, that's where I found mine. It's an elastic tube with stays on both sides which hold the joint better.