Osteoarthritis

I use acetaminophen with my ibuprofen. I find flannel sacks of rice/lavender seeds...what ever you like, warmed 2 minutes in the microwave work wonders. For some reason they help me better than a heating pad or hot water bottle.

Thank you.i will give it a try.

Hello @howardk,

Thank you for starting a conversation on ankle & knee arthritis. I have some personal experience with these ailments as well. I have had my right knee replaced due to end-stage arthritis and have end-stage arthritis in both of my ankles as well. I have now had my left ankle fused and am postponing doing that with my right ankle as long as I can hold on.

I tried many things over the years. Ankle braces were about the only thing that kind of helped. I also tried Celebrex but didn't see any results from that and ultimately decided to discontinue it. Have you discussed custom ankle braces with your medical provider? There are prosthetics out there that will make custom molds of your ankle and custom fit braces, they help stabilize your ankles and it can help with taking some of the pressure off of your ankles when you are active. I also have hemophilia, meaning my blood does not clot on its own, so I also cannot take ibuprofen. I take tylenol when the pain is really bad, but as you may know tylenol's power is limited. I've learned the best thing for me is listening to my body when the joints are feeling inflamed and to take multiple breaks, and at the end of the day to elevate the joints and ice them.

@howardk, if you don't mind sharing a bit more, what options have been discussed with you? Have you thought about asking about custom braces? Are you also looking at joint surgeries or is your arthritis not yet to that stage?

@howardk,

I forgot to post this link as well. It is a Video Q&A with a Mayo Clinic physician on ankle arthritis prevention & intervention, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/facebook-live-foot-and-ankle-arthritis-prevention-and-intervention/.

I am seeing my internist on Monday October 30 to review my current knee X-rays . I will update this reply later that week. Thank you for the suggestions.

I hope you are seeing a rheumatologist. I have been on Humira for three yrs and it has slowed the progression of the disease

I will put one on my list of treatments.
Thank you
Dr you can recommend?

I’m in Bradenton, fl. Where t u?

Scottsdale, AZ
Thank you

I was prescribed cortisone shots in both knees, November 7 appointment. I am hoping that is the correct decision. Originally I was thinking Synvisc would be a better option but I was told cortisone would be more effective. I will update my status within a week