I would take her to a physiotherapist.  They might not necessarily treat it
but might be able to feel what is wrong.  If it is arthritis of some kind
the modalities they have might bring down inflammation or the exercises they
might suggest might strengthen the muscles or tendons around.  They might
suggest heat, maybe ice, maybe light exercise, maybe none for a bit.  It
definitely needs treatment of some kind.  Heat or ice should not do any
harm.  It might feel worse (as the ice did) in which case try some heat
(gentle heat).  Neither should do any harm.

The doctor might be right this time in saying it is arthritis (don't forget
arthritis can be everything from bakers cysts to gout to tendonities,
osteoarthritis to RA) and the painkillers might be to settle things down.
After things have "settled" down and the pain is gone then treatment can
begin to strengthen or to rest the joint - depending on what a physio feels.
Could be it is a one time only thing too.

So give the rest and the painkiller a couple of days and then reassess
perhaps.  Make sure she is taking the painkiller with food though and make
sure she is monitored by someone.  Painkillers can react differently with
seniors - different size and metabolism.  Hopefully this is a one time
event.  If not check again with the doctor.

Tell your brother he has done no harm though.  Ice and heat can help
although it is a trial and error as to which and for how long.

Good luck with your mom.  thank goodness she has family that cares.

Kelly

hi!

if your mother was diagnosed with arthritis, then please take the dear old
lady to an arthritis specialist, a rheumatologist, for the best care.   it
may well be arthritis at her age.  osteoarthritis is a wear and tear form of
arthritis and she has used that knee for 88 years, afterall.  painkillers
are not the only option and a rheumatologist can help her with those other
options.  she doesn't have to suffer.

heat may or may not help help your mother.  but i would try heat, in the
meantime, until you take her to see a rheumatologist.  but be very careful,
not too hot, because as people get to be that age, their skin is very thin
and delicate.  try using a heating pad with its own heat controling unit
attached to it, so that she can adjust heat level for her own comfort.  if
it is still too hot, try wrapping a towel around the heating pad.

but, please, do make an appointment for her to see a rheumatologist, so she
doesn't suffer.

kate

Dear all,

For the past couple of days the right knee of my 88 year old mom kinda
"tight". I checked her knee but couldn't find any swelling, so I just
did some massages, hoping that it could ease the tightness somewhat.

Yesterday my younger brother dropped by, and when he learned of the
tightness of my mom's right knee, he applied an icepack on it.

Now the real problem start.

After the icepack thing, the condition of my mom's knee worsen. Now
she can't even move her leg, or even standing up, without feeling
excruciating pain.

My mom is a very brave lady, the last time she had an operation, she
didn't even complain of any pain whatsoever. This time though, even I
can feel her pain. I can "see" her pain from how her body shook, and
how much sweat is coming out of her eyebrow. Although she isn't
complaining - dear old mom is always like that - I know she is in
GREAT PAIN !

I took her to the doctor, got mri and everything, and the doc only
prescribe painkillers. My mom ain't suffering from arthritis, but the
doc put the blame on arthritis.

So, please HELP !

First of all, was the icepack application a mistake ? I am not blaming
my younger brother what-so-ever, just that I have some suspicions that
the icepack may have worsen my mom's condition. Am I right ?

I am thinking of applying the reverse, the "heat pad treatment", but I
am afraid that it only worsen my mom's right knee. Can anyone please
enlighten me of what can I do ?

Painkiller shouldn't become the only option. I am trying to find other
ways to ease my mom's pain.

Can anyone please help ?

Many thanks in advance ! !

penang@catholic.org said the following on 08/10/2007 06:08:

How about going to a doctor?

On Oct 8, 1:08 am, pen...@catholic.org wrote:

It's possible that her bigger issue is muscle spasms. This is just my
hunch, since in my experience ice is very soothing on inflammed joints
and muscles. However, in my experience, ice will make muscle spasms a
lot worse, and can be very, very painful. The spasms also interfere
with healing, because they can cause further microtears.

Treating such a condition is tricky, because you need to both reduce
the inflammation (ice) and relax the muscles (heat) to allow healing
to occur. While moist heat works great to relax the muscles, it can
inflame an already inflamed muscle further. And while ice works great
to reduce inflammation, it can cause the muscle to spasm further. So
you can see the conundrum...

In the past when I've had this problem, the doctor has prescribed a
combo of Flexeril (a muscle relaxant) and an anti-inflammatory (a
NSAID - you can also use OTC ibuprofen). Yes, also a pain killer but
usually only for the first 24 hours when the pain is most acute. And
muscle spasms ARE quite painful, so don't deny your mom some pain
relief. It also helps to immobilize the joint for 48 hours (but
probably no longer than that).

If it's been longer than 24 hours, then do go ahead and try the moist
heat, which should relax the muscles. Be very gentle with it and use
only on the lowest setting, and for no more than 10-15 minutes at a
time. Or try a warm bath or shower, if your mom can get in and out of
the tub.

Another thing you might try is capsacin patches. These provide pain
relief because the capsacin scrambles the nerve endings or something
like that. This would be a last resort because Warning: they hurt when
you take them off  - especially if you apply them over body hair. And
DO NOT apply ice or heat while wearing one. OUCH.

Good luck and I hope she feels better soon!

jen

You mention nothing about how active your mother is.  Assuming the acute
symptoms subside within a few days, she might try simply moving the knee
a little and eventually some walking.  Heat is probably not a bad idea,
but as others have said, all this should be under a doctor's or a
physio's care, not a newsgroup's.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com