Arthritis knees and hip pain.

[horsefarmer]

Old retired guy here, I had a "bad knee" for over a decade - got kicked by a horse.
Was able to manage that with occasional Excedrin, and relied on my "good knee" more... Kept riding probably only exercise that didn't bother my "bad knee".
Recently, my "good knee" is complaining and my hip has now joined in.
More painful every day and sleeping is miserable. Long story short x-ray of my lower back looks like a twisty wining road and my hip is pretty much bone on bone. Gonna see Orthopedist next week.
As a fellow cyclist, any advice/experiences you can share with therapy or treatment?

 

[Captain Awesome]

Sorry to hear that. I’ve got one knee and one hip that have extensive scar tissue and ligament damage. Coupled with a shoulder that was destroyed and sternum cartilage separation I was a walking pharmacy. Ate OTC pills as well as my prescription stuff like candy

Got the shoulder and hip under control now. Knee is still pending and probably will just hold out for a replacement

Things that I firmly believe help me

Turmeric - for inflammation
Vitamin D - helps with calcium processing
Glucosamine - building block of cartilage

Daily regiment. Has gotten me down to almost no prescriptions and just the occasional Tramadol injection when I overdo things

 

[horsefarmer]

Sorry to hear that. I’ve got one knee and one hip that have extensive scar tissue and ligament damage. Coupled with a shoulder that was destroyed and sternum cartilage separation I was a walking pharmacy. Ate OTC pills as well as my prescription stuff like candy

Got the shoulder and hip under control now. Knee is still pending and probably will just hold out for a replacement

Things that I firmly believe help me

Turmeric - for inflammation
Vitamin D - helps with calcium processing
Glucosamine - building block of cartilage

Daily regiment. Has gotten me down to almost no prescriptions and just the occasional Tramadol injection when I overdo things

Thanks Captain!
Good point on the supplements, I have taken a daily multi vit, also supplemental C and D and Ostio Bi-Flex containing,
Chondroitin is a naturally occurring substance formed of sugar chains. Chondroitin is believed to help the body maintain fluid and flexibility in the joints.
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance that is believed to help develop and renew cartilage (the hard connective tissue mainly located on bones near joints in the body), and keep it lubricated for better joint movement and flexibility. And Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring form of sulfur that helps support muscles and tendons in the body.

The X-ray was kind of a shocker to me because At first thought it I had Limes disease cause all our horses have it and when its bad they can barely move. But they have a panel of blood tests and I'm negative on them. I really thought it was arthritis in my "good knee", lol
BTW didn't know tramidol injection was a thing. I know cortizone could be injected into the joint.

 

[2 Wheel Dan]

I had a hip and two knees replaced lots of metal but all better now ride every day pickleball all that stuff.

 

[horsefarmer]

I had a hip and two knees replaced lots of metal but all better now ride every day pickleball all that stuff.

Dan, So no regrets then? I'm kinda leery of any medical procedures. Luckily only had wisdom teeth pulled in 55 years ago.

 

[2 Wheel Dan]

No regrets surgery not fun and recovery takes a while but am pain free and very active what I like to say is are they as good as your best days of before pain maybe not but it sure is a great second best . I had no choice I was bone on bone none of the procedures you are trying would work for me .So in a nutshell am I glad I got them replaced a Big Yes !! I am very active and this allows me to continue .Also they have lots of new procedures less surgery same results mine are 5 years now some new stuff out there talk to your doctor and check it out .

 

[horsefarmer]

I'm in for total hip replacement, they were able to get me in before the month is out. They get you up and walking right after surgery and you go home the same day. I expect rehab to be tough, but looking forward to the increased mobility and pain relief. Like you said Dan, it's the only option when the joint is bone on bone.

 

[Ulu]

Good luck Horsefarmer. I watched my mom and my best friend go through that, and at 70 I wonder if I’ll be there one day too. So far the damage is not bugging me that much. I get by with some mild analgesics.

I’ve had a few motorcycle crashes, and bicycles, and on the skateboard. While somehow I’ve never had a real displaced fracture, I have taken lots of orthopedic damage.

The oral surgeon said I had hard bones, so it might have been much worse.

I used to worry about joint replacement surgery happening to me. . . . until I had cataract surgery. So far I had only had minor oral surgery and minor skin surgery.

It’s a lot more frightening having them cut open your eyes. Thank God, it worked great. I see better than I did as a child because they fixed extreme myopia.

After that I don’t worry about orthopedics. If they have to cut my knees it won’t be nearly as concerning.