Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Knees?

I know I have OA in my knees; when I squat down, there is practically no getting up, walking up or down stairs is "ouch, ouch, ouch", and Humira hasn't really helped these things (though prednisone does).

Anyway, can deal with these symptoms (for now), but another symptom has me more concerned: when flaring, when I go to take a step, its like my knees are really lose and I collapse momentarily from the pain. They just kind of give out when giving a really sharp pain.

When I ask my GP, rheumy, or chiro, know one can give me much advice.

1. Anyone else have the same symptom in their knees? What's going on?

2. What kind of doctor should I see for my knees if they get worse?

3. What can I do to help myself?

Braces always make things worse for me. I've tried various braces over the years, just makes enthesitis bad.

Would strengthening exercises help stabilize the knee? Can you recommend any good exercises?


Not too huge of a problem right now because it doesn't usually last for more than a day or two at a time, and then large periods of time where it doesn't happen.

But when it happens, can't put any weight on it.

I'd try a sports medicine doc. Physiatrist could be a good choice, too. Only knee issue I had previously was a patellar tendinitis. Used a Cho-Pat brace, which helped a lot. It got better before I even made it to the appt I made myself with a sports med doc, also an ortho surgeon.

Our rheumatologist treated our knees. He treated hubby's with draining them, Synvisc injections and steroids (doing MRI's) until he needed to see an Ortho surgeon for replacement.

He treats mine with Synvisc. Now it is one injection instead of the series that it used to be. Synvisc helps a lot for a long time.

We trust him enough to know he will send us on when needed.

Hubby had 3 knee surgeries (clean outs) before replacement and another surgery on the same knee a year later. Knees can be so painful. I am sorry you are having this problem.

Hi Sue

Sorry you are having problems with your knees. My rheumy says I have the knees of an 80 year old. They crack and grind and can be very painful. The MRI says osteoarthritis in both knees. I take hot baths and use Voltaren topical which helps. Pain for the most part is constant but these measures along with oxycodone make things bearable.

Hope you find something that works for you Sue.

Rumble, Possi, and Jeff,

thanks for the advice and support.

Right now they are not really bad all the time, so its not too bad.

I think I'll ask my rheumy first. Then see either a sports medicine doctor or knee orthopedist based on what the rheumy says.

Sorry you all have knee issues too. Right now they're not nearly as bad as other things, just hope they don't get to that point. But probably better to have a first look at them before they get to that point.