The history is this: nearly 3 years ago I fell (stepdaughter's puppy underfoot), twisted, and developed an osteochondral injury in my left knee...in other words, hole in the cartilage and bone, right where it bears weight. It hurt like hell for a good 6 months, and gradually faded away, but my ortho said it could get worse again at any time, and to be careful on stairs.
I have also had knee pain on and off from my RA (which started 2 years ago), but in both knees, not just the one.
So starting on Friday, my knees started getting really bad again painwise, although I don't see any swelling or external signs. The left one (the injured one) is definitely worse, especially when trying to walk, but I am also having slight pain in the right one, which could just be from favoring the other. That seems to point to it being the osteochondral injury. At the same time, I got a new burst of pain in my hands and feet, which could sort of point to RA.
So how do I tell? Overall in the last few months I have noticed my knees getting worse. There doesn't seem to be anything additional I could do no matter which thing is the cause, but I'd at least like to understand where the symptoms come from, for example to know when they leave if that means an improvement in my RA, or just the subsiding of the OC injury.
PS - I have not idea which it is, maybe both?
Hope you get it under control soon.
well lets see...we aren't doctors, haven't seen your knees or an x'ray.mri of them so why i nthe world do you think we could diagnose the problem. Go to your doctor and get an xray/mri
Joonie, I never thought it might be both. Duh!
buckeye, I wasn't looking for a diagnosis, just some advice based on others' experiences or thoughts. I've seen the docs and I've had an x-ray...it shows a hole in my knee. That's how they know I have an OC injury. I've mentioned the pain to both my RD and ortho in the last few months, but since it hasn't been a priority issue til now, I let it slide without getting any definitive answer. Diagnosing the pain seemed to be a diagnosis by elimination, and since we can't eliminate the injury or the RA, I'm getting the feeling that the docs can't really tell.... So again, just looking for a little experienced advice.
but the point is suzanne no one here can tell you whether the pain is from the RA or from the injury. A osteochondra injury is one to the joints or cartilege and arthritis causes pain and damage to the joint and cartilege. If you have other joints hurting as well then its likely the RA if the knee is isolated then it could be the injury but without a MRI of the knee and an aspiration of the fluid you can't know for sure
You want specific advice ice the knee and call an orthopedic specialist
It can easily be both.. for your peace of mind I would INSIST on an MRI..
treat for both.. rest, elevate, immobilize.. continue with RA meds and maybe cortizone.. I have both in my feet, and both in hands.. the point is to get as much relif as you can.. and not cause more damage..
Well... I know my right knee is my worse knee... it likes to swell bigger and do more things than my left knee. I think I know why my right knee is so much worse than my left because I have little to no cartliage in it, so that is probably why the right knee is way more troublesome. I broke my right knee... when the outer bone at the tip where the knee is. That is how I know I have little to no cartliage... bone doctor took x-rays to see if I broke my leg, which I did and had to wear a full length case for months! UGH! Good thing it was winter time!
My left knee when I was a kid, was my worse knee. It swelled and hurt way more than my right knee. Actually, my limp is how my mom found out I had JRA. My left leg is maybe a 1/2inch to 1inch shorter than my right leg. That means I have a limp that will not go away no matter how much meds I take. It does not bother me that I limp... I am use to it, and never realized I limped, until I was preggo then I noticed I wobbled.
Innerglow, could be joint mice from your previous injury.
joint mice
Type: Term
Definitions:
1. Small fibrous, cartilaginous, or bony loose bodies in the synovial cavity of a joint.
lorster, I'd never heard of that, although I got an instant mental image when I read the term. I think I may have "brain mice" these days too, but that's another story.
Thanks, as this gives me something specific to ask the doc about, and possibly a reason to get an MRI.
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