Looking for advice from people w/ knee-cap pain.

[smirkymonkey]

I couldn't really find the appropriate topic under "Health". Over the last month or two, I have had extreme pain in my knee-cap whenever I climb stairs (and this is my good knee). I looked it up and it seems like it might have something to do w/ cartilage deterioration, but everything was very vague about treatment and prognosis.

I haven't been to a doctor yet because I really don't want them to tell me I need surgery. I and my family have had long histories of knee injuries due to genetics and the sports we have been involved in, especially skiing.

I guess what I would like to know is if anyone has had any experience with this and if so, what was the treatment and outcome. I know I need to see a doctor eventually, but I just want to know how long the treatment/healing period is. Would love to hear about your experiences. Thanks in advance!

[drray23]

1. Brother had the same problem.

It was a bone spur that was digging into him every time he moved that knee. Apparently a broken piece of cartilage. He had arthroscoping surgery . It was quick , minimally invasive and he recovered in less than a month. I should add my brother is an avid surfer, windsurfer and kite surfer. He wore that knee joint out after years of intense sport.

[smirkymonkey]

4. Thanks for your input. My knees have been pretty destroyed by skiing and I have had most

of the cartilage removed from my other knee over a number of operations. It's just a matter of time before that one goes. Even if I have to have surgery, I don't think it will be that serious. I am just being stubborn.

Thanks again for your reassurance!

[Trust Buster]

2. I have not had severe knee issues. Just annoying aches and pains.

I recently bought a Teeter inversion bench. It has made my knees and hips feel very solid. From the time we stop growing, gravity is grinding our bodies into the ground. Therefore, I decided to turn my frown upside down and have experienced benefits from my knees, hips, back and neck. Doctors usually tell patients that they should wait until the knee pain really effects your quality of life before a replacement is considered. This is because a knee replacement has a shelf life. I always try a natural treatment before I would consider medical intervention. Perhaps all you need is an inversion bench that allows you to decompress your joints. I invert for 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night and have achieved positive results the natural way. Just a thought.

[smirkymonkey]

3. That's a good idea. I also feel low back pain from what feels like

compressed discs because when I stretch them out they feel much better. I am always carrying around heavy bags/backpack and I think it's starting to take a toll. I think I might look into this. It sounds right intuitively. Everything just feels so compressed.

[Trust Buster]

5. Turn you frown upside down my friend. Seems to have realigned my whole body.

[MarvinGardens]

6. Mine was not severe, but annoying.

Here's what seemed to have helped me.

I take vitamin D3 daily. It helped with a seemingly unrelated problem, but also got rid of most of my aches and pains. I started at 2000 IU per day, and have slowly raised it to 8000.

I stopped taking stairs double when ascending. I take them one at a time.

[bif]

7. Same thing!

My wife and I were both having pain in our left knees. She thought it was from driving a stick for so many years. A friend recommended D3 and lo-and-behold, the pain has pretty much gone away.

[MarvinGardens]

11. These experiences has left me to wonder

if what we think of as normal aches and pains of aging, are in fact not normal. Perhaps they are brought about by chronic vitamin D deficiency, as we work indoors more as we age, incurring less sun exposure; perhaps also consuming fewer dairy products which are vitamin D fortified, as we try to eat "healthier" by consuming less saturated fat.

[smirkymonkey]

9. Thank you! I appreciate it!

I will try that!

[snowybirdie]

8. Had replacement surgery on one knee

When the other knee acted up, my doc have me a new shot called Simvastin 1. That was four years ago and haven't had any pain since. It's basically a cartilage replacement made from the combs of roosters! Hubby gets one yearly now to avoid surgery. Amazing for us!

[smirkymonkey]

10. Really, I will have to look into that. I would much prefer that to surgery.

My hospital is MGH so I am sure they have heard of it. I think I am at the point where I am bone against bone now and definitely need a cartilage replacement. Thank you so much! I am now not so afraid of seeing a specialist!

[snowybirdie]

15. Good luck!

We've had a lot of success with it. It was in Michigan btw

[randr]

12. Do a search for Lymes disease

My wife, an RN, spent last year with painful swollen knees, and other symptoms. She finally figured out she was carrying Lymes for some time. Got proper treatment and is on the mend.

[smirkymonkey]

13. That's interesting. I just talked to my sister tonight and her 14 year old son had knee pain and

was just diagnosed with Lymes. They had to drain his knee and give him a course of medication so he's doing better. I never even made the connection, but I will definitely look into that. Thanks for the suggestion!

[bif]

14. I don't know of any Lymes Disease here In Michigan

But this seemed to work pretty well for me.