SWIM! Only way out, build up the muscle to hold the joints apart. In water it takes the weight off.

Flat feet will also make your knees worse and aggravate athritis, and almost all people's arches drop as they get older, or in your case walk uneven ground regularly.

You can exercise you arches by standing on toes, rolling ankles out to walk on edge of feet, so your bug toe is only just tounching the ground. Arch supports can also be used to push the arch up.

Not saying that you DO have flat, but usually they go hand in hand.IIRC you should be able to fit a wine cork under your arch without feeling it or being uncomfortable. Another way would be looking at shoe sole wear, which should be on the outer edge.

Have arthritic hip joints but keeping up walking, don't want to give in! Don't go quite as far and rest occasionally. Find it helps to reorientate aching joints, ( bending limbs that have been straight) Interesting to read how others cope. My doctors tip was helpful to me - try to relax into your stride, and not go too fast, the instinct is to tense up when something hurts.

mrs Steve

Arthritis is a B, I have it in my spine and left shoulder particularly.

I had my pre op assessment this week. Apparently apart from a gammy knee I'm as fit as a fiddle. Blood pressure perfect, ECG ok, resting heart rate of an athlete and I even managed to blow a good figure on the peak flow meter. I'm to have a regional anaesthetic such an epidural. I have to decide whether I want to stay awake or go to sleep. I'm leaning towards staying awake, not because I'm brave, but because I'm nosy. No doubt I'll change my mind several time between now and the big day

I had my pre op assessment this week. Apparently apart from a gammy knee I'm as fit as a fiddle. Blood pressure perfect, ECG ok, resting heart rate of an athlete and I even managed to blow a good figure on the peak flow meter. I'm to have a regional anaesthetic such an epidural. I have to decide whether I want to stay awake or go to sleep. I'm leaning towards staying awake, not because I'm brave, but because I'm nosy. No doubt I'll change my mind several time between now and the big day

I had the same when I had my hip done and I said that I did not want to know what was happening. Don't even remember going into the theatre and woke up in the ward several hours later!!! I just think it could be quite traumatic' 

David

I would think the "patient" will be semi asleep anyway, they won't want you trying to direct operations, so to speak...

Quick update on left knee.Have been "discharged" from consultant at this stage,and just completed first session of physiotherapy.The physio completed a range of basically stretching and manipulation exercises until the knee hurt.He was pleased to see how I have been manageing the condition so far.I have purchased more comfortable walking shoes with a softer foam sole and just take it slower now.Certainly sitting with knee bent and weight on it and crouching is a no no.Bike riding (with gears) and swimming is ok.

Not sure about the cider vinegar as currently on Spitfire ale!!!

Just not sure if I have a painful swelling issue in the future who I actually come under,doctor ,consultant,or physio.

Hope you can keep going Fozzie. Not always easy I have arthritis in both wrists plus another hand problem, since there are no replacements available I try to tackle what I can (including knitting, something I enjoy.) I make some things easier using equipment in the kitchen etc. Best wishes for your efforts!

Fozzie

Exercise will help. I seem to find (strangely) that being away in the motorhome seems to help the knee. Perhaps because you always going off on little trips like the loo or the fresh water point to fill the kettle. I think also the settees in the motorhome are higher than our settees at home and that helps. I seem to have reached a sort of plateau with the pain and some weeks ago I decided to come off painkillers which seems to have worked. Don't get me wrong I still get discomfort. We walked down to the surgery for our flu jabs today which is a round trip of a couple of kilometres and by the time I get home my lower back hurts but it soon passes. I always take a stick when I go for walks although yesterday walking around the Shopping Centre in CMK I didn't bother. Good luck.

David