PN's little "extras": tired knees & swollen feet.

Ray my younger friend we do have a lot in common with the ailments. 🙃 I also have degenerative arthritis and my right knee was replaced a few years ago. My left knee is close to bone on bone but doesn't bother me much now that I had the right one replaced which was giving me the most pain. I also have lymphedema in the legs but my right leg swells up pretty good during the day and goes back to normal after elevating it at night in bed. I also wear compression socks which definitely help during the day. It's always something isn't it and I do love it when someone says hey lets set down and have a cup of Joe. Merry Christmas and may your 2024 be filled with less PN problems and more things you like doing!

Hello, John

That's a beautiful sentiment: "Merry Christmas and may your 2024 be filled with less PN problems and more things you like doing!" I wish you the same. I am looking forward to further exchanges with you on Connect as we step cautiously (cautiously, after all; we do have PN!) into the New Year.

A toast to you, John, and to all those you love, for a restful, wonderful holiday season!

Ray

Thank you for posting!! I have had swollen feet since the total hip (almost 2 years ago) and the foot with the new hip is now bigger than the other side. My knees ache when I walk too far/too much but if I rest and don't walk too far the ache is gone. I thought I was getting arthritis. I got off the vitamin B, cholesterol med and calcium and the pain and pins and needles are nearly gone. My feet still get freezing cold if I take off my indoor shoes and put on slippers.

“Tired” knees is a very apt description. It’s pretty much the major issue I had at the beginning of my PN: they were so “tired” they kept buckling & collapsing to where they were too weak to keep me upright. Something about this sudden PN disconnecting the signals between the nerves and muscles and I had to learn to stand again with a lot of PT which took 6 months to get out of the wheelchair. Then I learned to waddle/walk using pretty much muscles alone. This is why continued PT is important to me, so I do my best to try not to let my knee (or ankle) muscles get too weak. My legs tire very easy as a result, and it’s hard to stop doing things when my heart and lungs are capable of doing much more. But over exertion of my legs (which doesn’t take much) leads to extended soreness and days of recovery time, so I try hard to know my limits and not be afraid to sit down. I figure it has to be quality over quantity of steps, so I try not to waste too many steps and pick my daily activities wisely. I hope everyone has a good holiday season, and here’s to putting our best feet forward in 2024!

I started with knee pain in 2010 and often asked when knee replacement would be needed, Ahh...not yet. Every other year, not yet. In 2020, pandemic hit and in summer of 2020, not yet. In 2021, told by two surgeons can't do replacement now because of potential falls from sensory motor PN. We can do jell shots; we can do cortisone shots which have given me some relief in last 2 years but still getting worse. Lidocaine helps out when I'm planning a walk. My knee pain is not related to PN but, my PN has now eliminated by ability to get knee replacement. Tests show bone on bone. Let's see, where's the Advil..... Ed

Ed - That’s sad that the “prudent” waiting ended up being used against you. It makes me think it was a good thing I got recent foot/toe surgery. It seems to me that the risks we have with maintaining walking and balance abilities with our PN progressing should have doctors wanting to help us more proactively so we have the best working machinery possible to help manage our conditions. I hope the shots and advil provide relief. Deb

@dbeshears1 Deb, the Advil does help yet the doc warms me about stomach issues. So, now I'm taking sucralfate because I need Advil because, because, etc. Ever wonder how many meds you take because you take this other medication? You are right in your comments and many doctors just don't understand what we go through dealing with PN on a daily basis. Ray (@ray666) has brought up an interesting topic here and these little "extras" as he puts it seems to be something most doctors don't even know about. Stay well. Ed

Ray, I have PN and my ankles swell at time and therefore, very interested in people's reply to your question. Most of the people responding to your question indicate they also have knee or hip issues unrelated to PN. Did anyone respond with PN only?

My swollen ankles may be related to a minor heart attack a year ago. I recently greatly reduced my salt intake and that seemed to help a little. Adding almost no salt to a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet and my food taste more like cardboard then real food.

Please let me know if you get responses from people with PN only.

Just a thought, have you had your back checked lately? I was suddenly suffering from leg fatigue and sore thighs while walking uphill that kept getting worse. My PCP suspected lower back issues and sure enough, my L5/s1 joint was a mess-and I required surgery two months ago.

So your orthopedic surgery doctor would not do a knee replacement for you? My appointment to see one is this next week-are you saying he may say he won't do the replacement? I have done the jell, etc. and this is apparently the only thing that will help! Maybe I should not even mention neuropathy!!