Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group KNEES!

Hey all...
Im 32 and over the course of the last couple of years have been experiencing a fast paced spread of AS symptoms. Once thought I simply had bad case of sacroiliac dysfunction has now turned into stiff, painful neck, shoulders, mid-low back, hips, sacrum and now my knees! At first it was just one that has been in an age old recovery from a torn ligament...but now the other is following suit.
I guess Im just looking for any confirmation that others infact deal with the knee problems as well. Ive found various forms of dealing with all the limitations of the mentioned areas of the body but the knees has been the most discouraging and frightening as I am utterly dependent upon them functioning. Thank you all for any insight.

Well sadly yes I am one too..lol mine all started with my right knee..swelled up the size of a balloon had to have it drained and cortsione shot into it and have had to do it again too many times to count now. Have had shots in every joint just about..needles threaded down to my SI joints..in the hospital, meds the whole gamut.

You are right I did learn that without your knees working you cant walk so I do everything I can to take care of them.

Hey there Tonybee, unfortunately knees can be a big problem. Just ask me, Queen of knees. I've had 11 knee surgeries. Though I attribute a lot to being an athlete in my youth and early adult years, AS has played a large roll especially with post operative complications.
Take care of those knees and if you need any help, just let me know.

Cindy

I used to get regular flares & bad swelling pain in my knees. If I squatted or twisted wrong I would end up tearing something & ended up having arthroscopic surgery.

Learned to avoid squatting which has helped & most importantly started wearing neoprene knee supports.

Found some really comfortable ones & wear them all the time when I am flaring & when I'm being physically active.

Touch wood I haven't had a problem or major inflammation with my knees in the 3 years since.

Might be worth a try if you can find some that are comfortable. Here in the Uk they are the neoprene deluxe ones sold by Boots ( just neoprene no metal support & without the patella cut out.)

Hi TonyBee - Another 'yes' over here. Knees, horrible. Have had an arthroscopy and lavage on the R.knee - really successful for 10yrs. Then blew up again, was very bad for several months, then cleared. Then L.knee blew up. Now have patella probs and the arthritis. They won't do anything for em 'at this point in time' - told to grin and bear, take pain meds, use ice/heat, rest em!! Wear knee supports when really bad - otherwise can't walk! The ones with the metal support and patella cut out. Brilliant. Going down stairs is painful, take one at a time.

Yep. Knees... But Cindy is the Queen of knees - she has had a right basin full - one big time very brave lady.

Here's a few links on something that sounds like it might work, not sure:

- http://www.stoneclinic.com/biologic-knee-replacement

- TED Talk

some problems, but really mostly last few years.

hamstring tendonitis, at the entheses where they attach to behind the knees. gives impingement of the knee when i try to bend the knee. a problem if i walk too much. or especially if i don't walk for a few days (due to illness, etc) and then try to go for a walk.

sometimes they are "loose" and they"crack and hurt if i pivot. i've had to learn to be more careful. so i try to avoid squatting down.

feels like osteo in there as well. when i squat down, its next to impossible to get back up again without a lot of help.

Ice packs can usually take away the pain for a while. I use TheraP knee supports. They wrap around are held by Velcro and have a cut out for the patella. I wear them when I am on my feet a lot or if I need to walk a lot. They really help.

Thanks all...
Something entirely depressing yet comforting in all these affirmation. Considering an MRI as I think some of it is mechanical from previous injury and countless youthful wilderness miles, exacerbated by the AS inflamatory response.

Could any of you elaborate on the scope procedure and your results. The bulk of my pain is strait across the minescus, deep and aweful.
Thanks again, I feel very inspired by the community of this site.

My arthroscopy and lavage was under GA. Day case. Very little pain. Elbow crutches, light use, for about 7 days. Brilliant job. Will always bless that excellent surgeon.

Nowadays they refuse to do as such, say not cost effective - not woth it, unproven (Both France and UK) - always look v. surprised when I tell em different. IF I had the money I'd go to America and get both knees done privately.