Knee Pain

joebolton

Hello there,

For the last 2 months I have been experiencing severe pain in my right knee.I went to see my GP twice and he has referred me for an X ray at the local hospital.

He thinks it could be worn cartilage.He gave me a prescription for Naproxen pain killers, which take some of the edge off the pain but not much.Sometimes, when I try to get up, it locks, and I am not ashamed to say I have been in tears at the pain when I try to get up.

I am currently working full time, which does involve some walking around.As I said, I experience pain as soon as I begin walking, so I try and limit my movement as much as possible.

A colleague mentioned claiming DLA, and I was not sure, as I thought this was for people who could not walk at all, but looking briefly at the application pack it says if you can walk, but experience severe discomfort, which I do.

My second concern was, how exactly would receiving money make my life any better.I can do everything I need to do, only slower, and as I say, in severe pain.I would benefit from being able to park closer to where I am going, but I cannot think of any adjustments that I could use any allowance to pay for.

Do you think it would be worth applying, I thought that if I received the monry, I could use it to pay for a closer car park to my work, which would cost an extra £5 per week, and the rest I could give to perhaps a charity ?

Regards

Joe

dmg24

Perhaps you could focus your attentions on getting better rather than trying to claim money to perhaps give to charity?

joebolton

I know exactly what you are saying DMG, but I am not sure that it is something that is going to get better.
He said if it is not worn cartillage it could be the onset of arthritis.

I have always been active, playing football regulary up till this happened.If it goes away, or heals itself , great.

I am just asking (on a board where people who get these benefits and are more likely to know than a work colleague) ,whether people think I have a case for claiming it.

As I said earlier , if the benefit was for people who can't walk at all, I wouldn't be posting.
It appears the benefit is for those who can walk but only with severe discomfort, which I am in.

In relation to the charity comment, on reflection that does appear to be patronising of me.If I received £40 per week or however much it is , I would use it for parking and to pay for taxis for journeys I would normally walk.

Regards
Joe

dmg24

You have only had the pain for two months, so you would not qualify for DLA at this stage anyway. You are still on a relatively low strength painkiller. If you are still concerned after the x rays ask to be referred to the hospital.

joebolton

Thank you very much.

Joe

Barneysmom

I'm sorry to ear you're having pain.
In my experience with my family, it doesn't get any better if it's cartilage or arthritis.
Wait till you get a proper diagnosis as you'll then get better pain relief or treatment.
The DLA would go along way to help with with aids to help make your life easier, walking sticks, things to help you get into the bath or shower etc.
My sis is waiting for a new knee, mom's had both hers replaced and dad's waiting for a new hip so I know how bad it can be for you.
Meantime, elevate it as much as you can and try to stay off it if you can.

joebolton

BarneysMom,

Thanks for the reply.

I really hope they can get the pain sorted as this is the main issue.Without the pain, I would have no severe discomfort and therefore no qualifying criteria for the DLA :beer:

As I posted earlier, I can walk, just very carefully and gingerly.
Hope things get sorted for your sister.

Regards

Joe.

sunnyone

dmg24 wrote: »

You have only had the pain for two months, so you would not qualify for DLA at this stage anyway. You are still on a relatively low strength painkiller. If you are still concerned after the x rays ask to be referred to the hospital.

Naproxen isnt a pain killer but a COX 2 anti-inflamatory and not a very good one at that, the OP isnt even on any pain killers so the chance of DLA is zero.

joebolton

sunnyone wrote: »

Naproxen isnt a pain killer but a COX 2 anti-inflamatory and not a very good one at that, the OP isnt even on any pain killers so the chance of DLA is zero.

No wonder I am in agony :rotfl:

clemmatis

Joe, I have a similar problem. First, medication. Anti-inflammatories (Naproxen is one) do act as painkillers when inflammation is present. As Naproxen isn't working for you, I suggest you talk to your doctor about a suitable painkiller that isn't an anti-inflammatory.

BTW you can safely take paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory together.

Next, when my pain began, when x-rays showed nothing, my GP referred me to a knee surgeon anyway, he did an MRI. He found problems in both knees. He didn't want to operate so sent me for physio, which worked wonders. I think you should push for further investigations of your knees. It may be you can be, like me, not "cured" but helped to the point where the pain disappears. (That was nearly ten years ago. The pain has come back now, but it's still not too bad as yet.)

joebolton

Thanks Clemmatis,
I think I have understated the pain to the GP both times I have been to see them.

If I aam sat down it is a dull pain, but when I get up and walk it hurts at the back , front and side of the knee.Because I am walking very "carefully" the pain seems to travel to my calf.

I was stood today minding my own business in the kitchen, and my dog ( a bonkers boxer) came running up to me and into my leg.It was as though someone had stuck a sharp knife into my knee cap.:eek:


Looking back, it all started when I had bent down to do my shoelace, no problem, and then as I got up the noise in my knee was like crunching the gears on a car.I fell back onto the bed, with my leg straight out, and it took about thirty minutes till I dare put any weight on it.

It is difficult to describe, as there is no swelling, but as I raise my lower leg there is like a clicking noise, with a sqelching in the background.I can't pull the leg fully back, it has to be bent very slightly forward.If you imagine a straight leg is 180 degrees, I have to keep mine about 160 degrees.

I am going to retire now, but your replies have encouraged me to speak to the GP about better pain management.

Thankyou All.

Regards

Joe