Severe Knee And Ankle Pain

[gordiescotland1]

Hi there I have oesteoarthritis in my right knee an X-ray in January revealed the patella was fine but the space between top of the knee and thigh was riddled with arthritis. The last week the pain has been absolutely horrendous on 8 cocodamol a day 30/500 and deep heat no pain relief at night. My knee is quite swollen not hurt it or anything but is there a connection between the ankle pain and the knee pain! I'm hoping the patella has started to deteriorating so I can get a new knee. Mother thinks the cold damp weather is causing this ???

[pixie374]

Cold damp weather seems to genuinely affect rheumatism- if that is what it is.
If it is that painful, I think you should go back to the GP and see what he/she says.

[jourdain2]

After 2 hip replacements (osteoarthritis) I would say that you probably need a knee replacement. I reckon that I am about the stage when I should (reluctantly, but this is England and these things take ages, so complain early) start complaining about the pain in my knee. I've had to swap to an automatic car already. Yes, cold, damp weather makes things worse. Keep pushing.

[ummmm]

Are you overweight?

[jourdain2]

If you are asking me Ummm - no, or by about 10 lbs. max., and I walk dog 2 miles a day as well as being pretty active generally.

[ummmm]

Jourdain - with all due respect I was asking the OP.

[jourdain2]

Ummm :) sorry. Timings.

[retrocop]

jourdain
I seem to recall,from previous posts from Geordie of Scotland,that he does indeed carry a lot of extra baggage. I don't think ummm was referring to you.

[237SJ]

When my best friend had OA of the hip, the pain went right down her leg so I would imagine there could be a connection between the knee and ankle pain.

[jourdain2]

retro..... :)

[gordiescotland1]

Yes I am overweight by about 5 stone

[pixie374]

Gordie has anxiety and has been very open about it. Yes, having pain in one place, can certainly affect others, as you will move differently and try to compensate, to (naturally) try to avoid pain.
I would suggest a further assessment, if you can get one x

[Rosie29]

Definitely go back to your GP Geordie. It might be that you have inflammation of the sciatic nerve. I have had this and the pain is similar to what you describe.

[pixie374]

Gordie, do you think you are able to lose the extra weight? X

[gordiescotland1]

I'm going to try and get an appointment tomorrow with GP. I think I would be ok if I have to have a knee replacement I'm pretty sure they could give me an epidural and a premed my mum had a total hysterectomy when she was awake under a spinal as she has a phobia of generals

[237SJ]

It's interesting that you say your knee is swollen. Have you been tested for RA?

[gordiescotland1]

Pixie im definitely going to try the pain I'm experiencing right now is a big motivation. I'm going to go and try swimming it's suppose to be good exercise especially for the knees as the water protects them

[pixie374]

Well done, gordie, see what they say. If you would like to let us know after, please do x

[pixie374]

Yes, swimming- and walking is great. Just start off with whatever you can- anything is good to start, and soon you will find you can build it up. It will all help x

[jourdain2]

Swimming is very good exercise. I don't like doing it, but I do it because it has strengthened my spine muscles to support a lumbar problem, which otherwise would need a dicey operation to solve (no guarantees). Bonne chance and keep going, I struggled to swim a length at first, now I have swum half a mile. :) Mind you, it costs a fortune in moisturiser!

[Sqad]

Yes...in my opinion, you ankle pain is arising from the arthritis in your knee.
Your mother is almost certainly correct, as the cold weather may indeed make OA pain, much worse.
As you are seeing, or hope to see you GP tomorrow, then i can offer no further advice.
I would have thought that a knee replacement may well be considered.