Osteoarthritis?

[IROC]

So, I went to the orthopedic doctor yesterday to investigate what I thought was some mild torn cartilage in my right knee (suffered following a short 2.5 mile run right before Christmas). Turns out the cartilage (and the whole joint) has degenerated from what is called osteoarthritis. Dang.

I'm 47, 6'3" and 220 lbs or so. I started running about 6 or 7 years ago primarily for cardiovascular exercise (I already weight train). I obviously do not have a "runner's body". Anyway, the doctor told me yesterday that my running days are over. I still have minor inflammation and pain in my right knee, but walking and daily activities aren't a huge struggle. There's no way I could run on it, though. He gave me a prescription for Celebrex, but I am going to try some Ibuprofen for awhile (I haven't been taking anything up to this point).

Anyone have any experience with this?

[J P Stein]

My wife has the same problem with her right knee. Nothing helps her with the pain/immobility....no over the counter meds, at least. After fighting it for 6 months she decided to get a new knee the latter part of next month which, apparently, is the only $olution.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by IROC

So, I went to the orthopedic doctor yesterday to investigate what I thought was some mild torn cartilage in my right knee (suffered following a short 2.5 mile run right before Christmas). Turns out the cartilage (and the whole joint) has degenerated from what is called osteoarthritis. Dang.

I'm 47, 6'3" and 220 lbs or so. I started running about 6 or 7 years ago primarily for cardiovascular exercise (I already weight train). I obviously do not have a "runner's body". Anyway, the doctor told me yesterday that my running days are over. I still have minor inflammation and pain in my right knee, but walking and daily activities aren't a huge struggle. There's no way I could run on it, though. He gave me a prescription for Celebrex, but I am going to try some Ibuprofen for awhile (I haven't been taking anything up to this point).

Anyone have any experience with this?

I had exactly that experience about 20 years ago. Bone doc. did x-rays and exam and said it was just wear and tear leading to osteoarthritis and just had to live with it. Chiro. I was going to for back issues suggested glucosamine/condroitin. Within 3 months noticable improvement to knees. Still taking it now and have not had any knee issues since then. Definitely worth a try. I don't run/jog anymore (to hard on the rest of body) but I fast walk 3 miles every morning.

And yes, all the studies say there is no proof it does anything but I know many people who will swear differently.

As a footnote: about a year ago our cat of indeterminate age (> 12 for sure) was having trouble jumping up into her usual napping areas. Vet said her joints were showing signs of arthritis and put her on glucosamine. Two months later she was jumping up with no problems. Our cat now get glucosamine twice a day. True story.

[Bill Verburg]

I had the same thing happen to shoulder AC joint, 50yrs of tennis, racketball and squash led to inflammation which led to cartilage damage once the cartilage is gone it's gone, only option is a cartilage transplant or joint replacement.

Ibuprofen is great for relieving pain and if used regularly during the years when the damage was accumulating might have extended the useful life of the joint as it reduces inflammation but then you have the other potential issues of stomach problems from the Ibuprofen. As they say everything in moderation

[IROC]

Well, this is good info. I have read up on the glucosamine subject slightly and it seems like it depends on who you talk to as to the effectiveness. My wife is all over it, though, so I have a feeling I'll be trying it.

My doctor (after x-rays and physically evaluating the joint itself) suggested Ibuprofen (or Celebrex) as a first step followed by cortisone injections. Knee replacement was brought up but only as a distant future solution. My knee joint is "stable" and doesn't appear to have any issues other than the cartilage degeneration.

I think the sobering reality is that I'm getting olde.

[jyl]

It may be that with some reasonable care the only real loss is that you won't be able to run regularly.

That wouldn't be the worst thing, in my view. Running is evil. I ran in high school and swore I'd never do it again, a decision to which I attribute my relatively decent joint health at almost 50 y/o.

I just don't think the average big guy is meant to pound his knees into concrete for miles every day, at an age by which Mother Nature expected him to already be sabertooth tiger poop.

Get your cardio from cycling (cool toys!), swimming (girls in swimsuits!), anything but the evil running.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by jyl

That wouldn't be the worst thing, in my view. Running is evil. I ran in high school and swore I'd never do it again, a decision to which I attribute my relatively decent joint health at almost 50 y/o.

I just don't think the average big guy is meant to pound his knees into concrete for miles every day, at an age by which Mother Nature expected him to already be sabertooth tiger poop.

Get your cardio from cycling (cool toys!), swimming (girls in swimsuits!), anything but the evil running.

All great input.

Due to an accident, my lower left leg was shattered when I was 20. Lost some length, Doc said I'd always walk with a limp, etc.

I got up and played a lot of sports in my 20's and well into my late 40's. Squadron/town/church league football and basketball, baseball, etc. Have ball will travel. Then the hip, worn from running and jumping at odd geometry due to the accident said enough. It looks like June Gloom in SoCal on x-rays. Now. in my 50's I sometimes walk with a limp.

So I bike a lot, stationary and road, and have started running again...in the way described in the book, "born to Run". It works for me.

It is a slow trot, really, run on the toes, but I am delighted to be doing it, pain free (sometimes). I also take all the supplements and they seem to work, perhaps mind over matter. Who cares, really.

The deal is that I'm up to 2 miles every couple of days, ride almost every morning on the stationary followed by a walk with the dogs and feel so much better. As an older athlete (I'm 56) it means the world to me to have mobility. I still pitch in a hardball league...the arm is sound and the pivot leg is my right.

That and I throw more junk around than the Antiques Road Show.

Find a way.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by jyl

I just don't think the average big guy is meant to pound his knees into concrete for miles every day, at an age by which Mother Nature expected him to already be sabertooth tiger poop.

The funny thing is that this was pretty much my sentiment during every excruciating mile. I used to tell my wife that I didn't like to run because when I played football, running was used as a punishment and that stuck with me evidently.

The funny thing is that being able to run and not wanting to is easier to handle than not being able to, if you know what I mean.

Thanks for the comments. My nephew is hard core into this triathlon and cyclo-cross stuff and he has been bugging me to get a bike...

[azasadny]

I have gout and have it under control with Allopurinol, but now I have osteoarthritis everywhere the gout attacked . I was taking Aleve 220mg every 12 hours , as needed for pain, but my liver enzymes were going up again, so I had to stop the Aleve. Aleve (Naproxen) worked really well on my osteoarthritis and my rheumatologist recommended it instead of any prescription meds because of my liver disease.

[IROC]

I found out yesterday that my insurance isn't going to cover Celebrex without a fight, so I'm probably going to try ibuprofen for the next few weeks and then ask the doctor what he thinks about glucosamine at my next visit (in 3 weeks).

I've read that the knee joint has some capability to heal or regenerate itself. Is there any way I can expect this to "get better" over time? Even though my days of running 5Ks might be over, my goal is at least to be able to run around the back yard and throw football with my son.

[dyusem]

For pain you guys may want to consider replacing the over-the-counter or prescription drugs with Zyflamend:

Zyflamend® Whole Body - Healthy Inflammation Response - Herbals from New Chapter®

I've had lower back pain (a disc gone, vertebrae naturally fused) and a hip that is waiting for resurfacing/replacing and I'm able to get my 100 miles in weekly on my mt. bike and do just about all other activities (XC skiing, hiking, etc.) pain free. If I overdue it I may also take an Ibuprofen but the Zyflamend typically gets me 95%+ of the way there.

I purchase them on Amazon but Pharmica carries it and probably other natural food outlets.

[petrolhead611]

I have the same aged related worn out knees and I don't want to be out of action for many weeks after an operation or reliant on pain killers. I am now trying a device called Kneease which masks the pain impulses to the brain: I've had mine 2 weeks and I must say that it works for me. It is also sold in the US apparently.