I was diagnosed with arthritis in both of my knees. It is worse in the right knee.
My knee pain started a few years ago after working with a trainer who had me doing 60-80lb overhead squats that I had never done before. I was probably around 345lbs at the time. Because of this pain, I cannot walk up and down stairs without holding onto the banister, and I definitely cannot squat down on the floor or get up like I used to! It has gotten worse since I first noticed it years ago, but lately it’s pretty much the same dull annoyance. If I don’t move it’s fine, when I move I feel it!
I am usually fine while I am exercising, but the following morning and next day I have pain mostly getting up and sitting down and stairs are especially not fun! The pain seems to be mostly in the front of the knees, although I occasionally overextend the left knee and then I have some pain in the back of the knee, and it feels pretty pulled. I do wear slip on knee supports from Doc Ortho:
Safe-T-Sport Neoprene Knee Support - Open Patella : Back Brace, Knee Brace, Posture Support, Compression Socks :Sports Medicine Supports : Back Brace, Knee Brace, Posture Support, Compression Socks :Sports Medicine/Occupational Supports : Back Brace, And they feel good and seem to help stabilize while I am working out. What I will usually do when I come home after working out is ice the knees 20 mins on 40 mins off till bedtime.
My question is this…I can’t take Advil or any anti-inflammatory drugs on the account of my gastritis, it will aggravate my tummy! What else can I do for the pain?…Other than lose weight…which is why I am grinning and bearing it for the time being!
I have been doing some body weight squats recently, and strengthening my legs seems to be helping a little, but are there other exercises that I can be doing to help the knee pain by strengthening the right muscles? Are there other meds I can take that will take the edge off without attacking my stomach?
I appreciate your help I hope I was specific enough!!!