Previous lurker saying hello!

[littlemonster]

Hello all,

I have been popping in and out of the forum for a few months and have found it extremely comforting to know that there are lots of other people going through exactly the same things as me! I must say when I first discovered this website years worth of problems with various joints and IBS suddenly clicked into place, a real 'eureka' moment!

I was diagnosed hpyermobile last year at the age of 32 and it was actually my GP who first suggested it after I went with some persistant lower back pain, she was actually extremely helpful and after getting me to touch my toes etc.. and then googling hypermobility (!) referred me to a rheumatologist! Unfortunately he wasn't as helpful as I expected and I think I shared the same experience as many others when he prodded me around, said I was indeed quite hypermobile (7 out of 9 on the beighton scale just little fingers I cant quite do!) and said some physio would sort me out but aches and pains were something I would just have to live with. I had physio on and off for a few months during which time everything seemed to go a bit pear shaped with my knees starting to ache all the time, my on and off TMJ dysfunction flaring up and shoulders and neck cracking all over the place! I was under a lot of stress at the time and think this definately exacerbted things, in the end the physio seemed to get fed up with me (after wincing several times at my bendiness!) and I felt a bit like I was wasting her time so she said to see how it went.

Sorry for this long post but actually the main reason for posting is about 6 weeks ago my knee (which has been a bit crunchy for a while) suddenly out of the blue started a whole new type of pain, this time sharp and actually painful rather than the normal dull aching I seem to have most of the rest of the time especially when going up and down stairs and when squatting and standing back up. I also hurts to press just above the kneecap. I was under a podiatrist at the time getting some orthotics who advised to go back to physio, the new physio has given more exercises but again seems to feel shes done as much as she can and so now Ive been sent to an orthapaedic surgeon. I saw him a couple of days ago and he said my kneecap is maltracking and basically wearing out (great!!) ). He is sending me for an MRI to rule out a meniscal tear but he thinks this is unlikely. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had similar problems and whether it has responded to physio as he seems to think this is the best treatment option, I am a bit worried that my knee is wearing out already and that it is stopping me doing the exercise I enjoy and need as even swimming seems to exacerbate it, aswell as interfering with my work.

Anyway thank you if you have read this, I know I am not as bad as many others on this forum and sometimes can feel quite well so looking forward to chatting more with people!

[mazza111]

Hi LM,
didn't want to read and run. Just a quickie to welcome you first of all. Think first of all, well done on having an understanding GP. That's half the battle.

My daughter has been told not so swim at the moment. Her kneecap is tracking up the way (patella alta) and will probably need surgery. I don't think it's the swimming they are so concerned about but the getting out of the pool, easy to just jump in, but getting out is another matter I think the biggest thing is only to do exercise that you're comfortable with. The only thing my daughter is allowed to do at the moment is a minute on the exercise bike to build her quads for if/when the surgery is required. You could also ask for a second opinion, and ask the physio for some core strengthening exercises. It might also be better waiting to see what the results of the MRI are.

Have a good old read on the forums, you'll find some good advice, like sleeping with a pillow between your knees if they are slipping when you are sleeping, I keep repeating that one because it's helped my daughter and even me with my arthritic knees

[littlemonster]

Hi!

Thankyou for your reply, I have indeed been reading round the forum and feel a bit better in a way when I read some things that seem to be the same types of problems that i have. I think the biggest thing I find is feeling like a hypochondriac, especially when something always seems to hurt!

I had the MRI today on my knee so will find out the results and chat with the consultant next week, the knee does seem to have settled down a bit so hopefully the exercises will help, thanks for your tip about the pillow I have been trying that too

[madmum]

Hope you scan result is positive. I am waiting for the result of mine. Sadly I have no kneecap as it was removed due to wear,if I had known then what I know now it would have been a different story. I know I have cartilage missing on the knee. I have had physio many times but unfortunately scar tissue builds up and stops my knee working. I may need replacement surgery in time. My son has knee problems,his kneecap maltracks. His mri was normal but he has weak quads so has exercises to keep doing and has to be more active(hard when he is often so fatigued). It took years to get our hms diagnosed and I have been accused of being mentally ill many times. Exercises do help strengthen muscles to support joints and yes will help prevent the maltracking if you can get the quads really strong. Good luck.

[madmum]

Hope you scan result is positive. I am waiting for the result of mine. Sadly I have no kneecap as it was removed due to wear,if I had known then what I know now it would have been a different story. I know I have cartilage missing on the knee. I have had physio many times but unfortunately scar tissue builds up and stops my knee working. I may need replacement surgery in time. My son has knee problems,his kneecap maltracks. His mri was normal but he has weak quads so has exercises to keep doing and has to be more active(hard when he is often so fatigued). It took years to get our hms diagnosed and I have been accused of being mentally ill many times. Exercises do help strengthen muscles to support joints and yes will help prevent the maltracking if you can get the quads really strong. Good luck.