Knee question

nancy324

nancy324

Cathlete
I'm 51.5 years old. A few months ago, my knees started to kind of sting on and off, and now it's more on than off. It's not so painful that I need to take painkillers or anything. It's just kind of a low level burning or stinging.

I've been very careful my whole life. I did high impact aerobics for only a few years in my youth before I turned to power walking for cardio. I've been power walking on the treadmill using variable inclines for about 20 years. I use good form for my strength training, and in any event don't lift as heavy as many others here. My heaviest dumbbells are 15 lbs. I know there is significant arthritis on my father's side of the family.

I forgot to mention it to my doctor, but will do so next time I see her. Anyone else have this? Any ideas about what it might be? Thanks for any input.
 
Nancy,

Hmm. I don't know. You're not doing high-impact and it doesn't sound as though you've changed anything. Perhaps it may just be the normal tweaks and twinges that happen to us as we get older...?

Here is a link to some info about knee pain symptoms: http://orthopedics.about.com/od/hipknee/a/kneesymptoms.htm

BTW, your signature is hilarious! :7

[font face="heather" font color=black size=+2]~Cathy[/font]
[font face="comic sans ms"]When I look at the smiles on all the children's faces, I just know they're about to jab me with something. http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/cartoon/homersimpson.gif
 
51 1/2 WOW! JK ( You have me by 6 months)}( I have had to do some PT for my knees, but the first thing I wd do is to see your doc. S/he may want to run some tests. If you haven't changed anything it could be *simply* wear and tear and at our age arthritis is a possiblity. My pt said that stretching is important as well as strengthening exercises, yes, despite the resistance exercise we do already. Here is an interesting link:
http://www.bigkneepain.com/knee-exercises.html
and one with images:
http://www.bigkneepain.com/knee-exercises.html

BTW when I mentioned to my doc my knee pain, she honed in on that, even though I was more concerned with my family history of heart problems

:eek:

HTH
 
That's a tough one Nancy....the knee is such a complicated joint with internal criss crossing (cruciate) ligaments as well as ligaments and tendons on each side. There's also a 'meniscus' and bursae and I honestly just know enough to be dangerous}( Hope your doctor can help you out. I'm a huge advocate of physiotherapy. Dr.s cut and medicate, PTs use direct manipulative methods and give you the tools to keep the joint healthy and moving.

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
Thanks, Cathy. Swelling caused by arthritis sounds like the most likely among those ailments. I can't see the swelling, but it may be enough to cause some stinging. Does anyone else here have arthritis? I'm curious as to what it feels like.
 
Gee, lala, what's a young'un like you doing with knee pain? ;) Thanks for the stretching exercises. I absolutely need to do them!
 
Nancy, I have arthritis, at the young old age of 43. I've actually had it for years thanks to knee surgery on both knees, at different times for different reasons.

My kness do not sting. They ache. And when I bend them I feel them "scraping". It gets worse with bad weather. I can always tell when a front is coming through as that gets them acting up. Summers are best for me. They hardly bother me at all then. I've tried numerous things with some success but no doubt that I have a knee replacement in my future.

I don't think you've got arthritis (I could be wrong, it's happened before) but I do agree you should get it checked out. My Dr actually told me that walking is pretty hard on the knees and after long walks mine will hurt more than usual.
 
Thanks, Biloxicat. Sorry for your suffering. I definitely don't feel anything "scraping". I have arthritis in my feet, and I have pain in my feet when I do lunges (lazily) without wearing sneakers. But my knees feel more swollen or stinging than painful. I will definitely ask my doctor about it.
 
Nancy, I have arthritis also (I'm 36) - (in my right knee). I was DX over the summer when I had problems doing LB weights (step ups to be exact), my knee was "popping."

I haven't been the same since. Everytime I try to run, do step workouts, it tends to flare up and ache!
I just purchased Osteo Bi-Flex, hoping this will help some, so I can get back on track.

I would definitely go see a Orthopedic.

"Today is a Gift, Have Fun"

~Jennifer~

www.picturetrail.com/fitness-momx2
 
Thanks, Jennifer. Believe it or not, I don't have time this year to see a doc for this relatively minor problem. I was just thinking maybe I should start taking some of those joint supplements that so many people seem to like? Glucosamine? Chondroitin? Probably wouldn't hurt.

(I've missed so many hours of work this year just for routine stuff: mammogram, bone density scan, dental appointments, etc. Why don't doctors have evening and weekend hours???? Is anyone else annoyed by this? Drives me nuts.)
 
Hi Nancy. I've been having similar trouble with my 52 year old right knee ever since the road trip. I figured then it was just overuse and babied it a bit. The pain seemed to go away, but it's returned and is almost constant for the last couple weeks. I think mine may be arthritis, since my mom has it, and in the same knee too. I'm afraid to go to the doctor, and have him say stop exercising. I guess I'll wait for you to go see yours and let me know what the diagnosis is. I know, I know, I can see you all shaking your fingers at me. I'll give it another week or so and see if it gets worse. Exercise dosen't seem to affect it.
 
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