If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Receiving too many notifications? Adjust your notification settings.
Knee Op

Hi everyone , i recently had an xray on my knee as my knee cap slips causing me agonizing pain. The xray shows i have a bony overgrowth which is causing my knee cap to slip but my doctor said its fine as its only a slight overgrowth. I have osteoarthritis in all of my joints but this knee and my hip are the worst. Has anybody else had this problem and can they advise me on anything that will help. Pain is driving me nuts even though im on pain killers
Replies
Senior online community officer
Sorry to hear you are struggling. Bony overgrowth or spurs is usually a result of arthritis, causing pain which is probably stopping you from using the knee. This in turn starts a vicious cycle as the surrounding muscles and tendons can become deconditioned, and then are unable to function properly and so the knee cap is able to slip.
I would suggest that you pursue a referral to a pain clinic with your new GP - I do know that this isn't always easy - and ask for a review of your current pain meds. It may be that your current OA meds are not the right ones for the acute knee pain.
I also agree with Billy regarding exercise as this will help to stop the deconditioning that I mentioned. I suggest gentle exercises to build up the strength in the muscles in order to support the tendons & ligaments that keep your knee cap in place. I personally like the Youtube videos from "physicaltherapyvideo", by physios Bob and Brad: have a look at this one for arthritic knees
Take it easy though....a little pain is OK, but work up the repetitions very gently. The old saying "no pain, no gain" is wrong! Rather "know pain, to gain" - you know your body, you will recognise the pain experienced by muscles that are not used to the exercise, and that this is different to excruciating OA pain made worse by overdoing it! Slow and steady. Ask your GP to refer you for physio for your knee.
You might also find this useful from Arthritis UK https://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/exercises-to-manage-pain/knee-pain-exercises.aspx.
Application of gel products containing anti inflammatories (for instance Fenbid Forte containing ibuprofen) might help to ease pain along with a heat pad. Electric heat pads are useful as you can control the temperature, but microwave wheat packs are easy to use and apply.
I hope that there may be some tips here that will help you - please contact me again if I can be of any more help/support.
Claire
Chronic Pain Advisor
Scope
[email protected]
scope.org.uk
One of the hardest things I have found is getting my head around losing my independence - like you I was very fit (and had been able to maintain this with hard work after my first back op aged 21), nursed, ran a household and had a pretty active life. Also like you it has been luck of the draw that I have inherited a genetic condition and my brother hasn't! My connective tissue problems mean that I also have regular slipping knee caps/dislocations (which I didn't want to launch straight into on my first reply) which are agony.
I know I have directed you to a few resources above - a couple of other suggestions are using resistance bands, and sitting on a gym ball whilst bending and straightening the knee to strengthen muscles. Often the last thing we want to do though!
Try to pace yourself, again easier said than done and I am the world's worst at this. Yes Billy is right, you will be ok....but living with chronic pain is really tough, & meanwhile there are things that might help ease the pain, which might in turn help aid the mobility.
Claire
Chronic Pain Advisor
Scope
[email protected]
scope.org.uk