A concern about knee problems

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mmommymusings
mmommymusings Posts: 18 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've got two(2) question to ask, but first so back ground info.

Background - In college I messed my right knee up and having no insurance I didn't get it looked at like I should have. Over the years the knee got worse until 2011 I had arthroscopic surgery on it. I still have swelling and pain on a daily basis. The doctor tells me even with the swelling and pain just to keep taking pain medicines on a daily basis. I don't want to take drugs everyday :-(. Oh and dare I say I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT!!!

Sooooo

1 - What types of workouts can I do to lose weight and not make it so I can barely walk afterwards. In our gym(Apt gym) we have most of the common gym items from the elliptical, treadmill and stationary bike. There is also weights and such. I have used the elliptical but that seems to cause more pain then anything else. Need to know what is okay to use or has been found to help, still losing weight of course..? Also how long should I do each for? Please list equipment and length of time as it will be greatly appreciated.

2 - Should I seek a second opinion as far my knee? Thankfully I have new insurance but if this doctor just is going to give me drugs like the rest than it's pretty much a moot point is it not? I found out there is 2 drs in my town who are board recognized as specializing in treating just knee problems. I talked to their staff over the phone and they will see me with a PCP referral. My original surgeon was just an ortho surgeon.

Thanks for the help and advice everyone :-)

Replies

  • dianemmn
    dianemmn Posts: 27 Member
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    I have osteoarthritis in both knees and was in constant pain until I started walking 3 weeks ago.

    I was advised by my doctor that walking,swimming and cycling were okay.

    I still get pain but only take meds now before bed so the walking maybe 45 minutes to an hour most days as worked for me.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
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    Speak to those specialists, and consider going out of town if necessary.

    With knee problems, you're going to want efficient and short workouts. Focus your efforts on strength training and a good diet with a slight calorie deficit, with macros set at 1 gram of protein per pound of lean body mass and 0.35 grams of fat per pound of body weight. There's no reason to go kill your knees doing hours of cardio if it's just going to leave you limping.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
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    I have a bum knee, but not clinically bad. I find warming up at a very easy pace for a bit helps a ton.

    To address your points. You dont need to exercise to lose weight, just a calorie deficit. Yoga/pilates
    seems like a good fit for many people that have chronic joint pain. Have you been to a physical therapist?
    There may be exercises you can do to help strengthen the muscles around the joint and such.

    Outside/track walking/running don't aggravate my knee but a treadmill does...your mileage may vary.
  • CynthiaT60
    CynthiaT60 Posts: 1,280 Member
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    First: get it looked at. Only then will you know what's actually going on and what's good or possibly harmful to do.
    Good luck!

    P.S. I do mostly stationary bike for cardio.
  • agiejorgensen
    agiejorgensen Posts: 1
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    Take an arthritis water class. You can do most any exercise in the water without pain. Check to see if there is a warm water pool in your area. We have one with a temperature of 90. It is fabulous.
  • Jagreene62
    Jagreene62 Posts: 4,782 Member
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    Looks like a lot of really good suggestions. I would say for sure when the weather warms up water exercise would be great!! Physical therapy, stretching, yoga, pilates, are also good choices. Until your knee is feeling better I would concentrate on your food choices. Deficits will lead to weight loss.
  • Reagan89
    Reagan89 Posts: 40 Member
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    I badly dis-located my knee over 10 years ago the first dr didn't put it back in correctly cue several painful trips to a + e. Luckily I have a medical family who saw the dr attempt to put it back in for the 5th time and asked for my consultant to be changed. They put a toe to hip cast on me just in case it came back out and I've had lots of therapy since. My advice would be if in doubt get a second opinion even a third it's your body you only have one.
  • Toomestwin
    Toomestwin Posts: 40
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    Bad knees are a scary thing but can be managed with good medical advice from a real doctor (insurance issues aside).

    My knee issue stems from deterioration of the cartilage. When I was in the Army, their solution was mega doses of what's affectionately known as "Ranger candy" or 800 mg Motrin. What finally worked for me was physical therapy and dropping 60 pounds. I'm still cautious about my knees, but I'm running for the first time in years and am doing all sorts of other activities such as jump rope, Burpees, etc. that I previously couldn't because of my knees. I also buy top of the line athletic shoes with inserts and replace them regularly so that I don't stress the knees. But all of this started with a visit to the doctor and getting sound advice on how to take care of my knees.
  • mmommymusings
    mmommymusings Posts: 18 Member
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    Okay a few more details- I am only eating 1200 calories a day so cutting calories is really not an option. Also I happen to find the X-rays that were done before my surgery and the set that were done after my surgery- they look exactly the same. I would think if I had surgery to correct my knee there would be some visible change wouldn't there? I hate to think that I forked my hard earned cash over and the dr never actually did anything but just open me up!
  • tskvaughn
    tskvaughn Posts: 114 Member
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    Take an arthritis water class. You can do most any exercise in the water without pain. Check to see if there is a warm water pool in your area. We have one with a temperature of 90. It is fabulous.
    Highly recommend this. I want to start this again. Did it several years ago and it was awesome.
    I have knee trouble (Cheerleader injury from the 70s :noway: translates to severe pain when one approaches 60 :sad: ) as well as severe back problems. I also walk. Just get some shoes with good padding. I just bought some Sketchers with memory foam.
    Lastly, recumbent bike. I use this especially when it gets hot outside.
  • lighteningjeanne855
    lighteningjeanne855 Posts: 566 Member
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    Please look up the blog of our MFP darling, "HanfordRose".
    On Thanksgiving 2012, she had to be in a wheelchair or on a walker at all times.
    Her doctors told her to lose at least 70 pounds to qualify for double-knee replacement surgery.
    She began swimming at her apartment complex's pool, and at a local YMCA.
    She lost more than 90 pounds and had her surgeries in December 2013.

    Chair-dancing videos are also available on youTube for aerobic workouts,
    and some of them use hand weights, as well.

    Best wishes, everyone!
  • iquiltoo
    iquiltoo Posts: 246 Member
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    Definitely see a new doctor first.

    I have osteoarthritis in my right knee. I started at a gym doing the treadmill and recumbent bike. Since I have lost a lot of weight (actually 50 lbs more than my ticker shows as I had lost some before I started on MFP) that has helped tremendously but I had to start slow and work my way up over about 10 months to a decent speed on both. I was then able to do the elliptical too. I get bored on one machine, so I start with the hardest - the treadmill, then go to the bike as I can get off my legs, The action of pedalling seems to be really good for my knee (not saying it will be for yours!) Then I do the elliptical. It's not as hard on my knee as the treadmill as you're not shifting your weight as hard onto each leg. I do take 2 Tylenol or Advil about 20 minutes before getting to the gym. That's the only time I take the pills as I don't otherwise get that much walking in in a day.
  • snowbear1005
    snowbear1005 Posts: 79 Member
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    I have damage from inflammatory arthritis in my knees, but never required surgery. After I lost 30 lbs, the pain decreased significantly. I still have another 30 to go. I recently started using an Arc Trainer at the gym and it is reported to be easier on the knees than even an elliptical. A year ago, I could barely walk up or down my porch steps. Now, I can do 50 bodyweight squats with no problem.
  • scottburger104
    scottburger104 Posts: 90 Member
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    You may also beable to use a kettlebell program like Simple and Sinister (which I'm on) I've had problematic knees that kept me from doing some other things but this is working well for me.

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