r/Osteoarthritis

I have had a limp and severe hip pain for over a year and about 6 months ago found out it was due to bone on bone arthritis in my right hip with my left hip not far behind. I have never had any joint pain in my life until this and we have no idea why my hips are so bad and the fact that my knees are starting to be a problem now worries me. I am HLA-B27 negative, have very low CRP and rheumatoid factor so it cannot be autoimmune. I'm terrified all my joints are giving out on me. I am having my first hip replaced hopefully soon but I don't know what I'm going to do if all of my joints give out on me. I don't know if anyone has any advice but I just wanted to say something. I have no support.

Posting this in case it saves someone the weeks of homework I just did. I'm mid-50s with mild to moderate OA in my right knee, and I wanted to look into PRP before considering anything more invasive. Not a doctor, just a patient who went down the rabbit hole.

The honest part on PRP first, because the marketing out there is wild. From what I researched and what my own doctor told me, the evidence is mixed but real. It tends to help more with early or mild arthritis and certain tendon issues than with bone-on-bone knees. It does not regrow cartilage on demand, it is usually out of pocket, and a lot of people end up needing more than one session. It is not a fix, and anyone promising you a sure result is selling, not informing. If your OA is advanced, be especially skeptical, because that is the group it tends to help least, which is worth knowing if you're on this sub dealing with severe stuff.

A few things I'd suggest asking ANY provider, not as a sales filter, just stuff that helped me sort serious places from the hype:

• Does an actual physician examine you and supervise the injection, or just a tech?
• Do they use ultrasound guidance, or are they going by feel?
• Will they tell you honestly if you're a poor candidate?
• Will they put realistic expectations in writing instead of using cure-type language?

What it actually looked like for me: I called three places around Broward and did two consults. Quotes I got ran roughly 600 to 1,200 per session, and one place was upfront that I'd likely need two sessions, which honestly made me trust them more than the one that quoted a single shot and a vague promise. One consult felt like a sales pitch with a financing brochure on the table. The other actually pressed on my knee, looked at my imaging, and told me I was a borderline candidate and might get modest relief at best.

That honest consult was Rebuild Regen up in Lighthouse Point. Not saying they're the only good option around, just the one that treated me like a patient instead of a sale, which is why they'd be my pick if I go through with it. Where I landed: I have not booked yet. I'm getting one more orthopedic opinion first and may try more conservative stuff (PT, weight, an unloader brace) for a few more months before spending out of pocket on something with mixed evidence. That's the honest caveat: PRP results in studies are inconsistent and it genuinely may do nothing for you, so go in with low expectations and a real diagnosis. Talk to a licensed provider and get properly evaluated before you spend a dime.

Hi everyone, I’m in my early 20’s. Before last year I had no knee problems whatsoever. For some reason, I thought I would try and build my bone density as I didn’t want to get osteoporosis when I was older (I was worried because i have lived a mostly sedentary life). I started skipping 5-10 mins a day 3-5 a week for around 6.5 months (and I was making sure to land very hard on purpose so these weren’t just light skips). I wasn’t always consistent, and when I would get pain in my knees I thought it as a good sign that my knees were remodelling themselves and getting stronger instead of being damaged. At some point though the pain got pretty bad and the area behind my knee cap felt very inflamed so I realised I should stop, and this is when I realised this whole time I could have been wearing the cartilage away. 8 months later after completely stopping, the pain has mostly settled it’s not sharply or tingly anymore, however I do hear my knees creak a lot and make noises where they pop, I wasn’t having any functional impacts before but the last 2 weeks it has hurt to stand longer than a couple of minutes and feels very compressive, it also feels like my knees can no longer absorb any load because it hurts to even go down stairs or get out of the car, even walking hurts and I feel unstable while walking, I have to lean on kitchen counter tops after a while of standing because I feel like my knees will give way. I can’t even kneel on the ground it hurts so bad and feels like there’s a lack of cushioning between my knees and the ground and it brings back that sharp twingy achy pain I first had. Change of direction/ pivoting is also very hard on my knees and same with sudden stopping. Im really worried I wore down all my cartilage (worst case) or best case is that this is PFJS/ tendinipathy of some sort and with proper rehab I can go back to normal. I’m just not sure what’s wrong as the physio I have gone to just provided me with generic advice and didn’t seem too sure on what was going on either. I think I will get some imaging done to confirm but I feel so stupid because I only started this skipping so I could be more independent later in life and now I might have permanently damaged my knees to the point I might have early onset osteoarthritis and I’m worried because I’m so young idk how long I can push off a knee replacement for. I’m just so worried and feel so stupid, like I should’ve known better. From what I’ve described does anyone know what could be going on? Thank you.

Edit: I have also noticed I walk a lottt slower now, like the pace of a grandma/woman who’s in her 70’s. Before this, I could walk faster than everyone, and now even the smallest of impact sends pain in my knees. I think the correct term is antalgic gait.

I’m also not sure whether I have runners knee because I actually don’t have any pain on/ under my knee cap when I press on it, it’s only when I have to walk take load through my legs etc it hurts.

Hi,

I injured my knee recently (I'm over 65) and went to Ortho Dr. He took xrays and said that there was no obvious damage but that I had OA in the knee and offered me some choices. I chose to try meloxicam but had to stop it due to stomach..

The thing I wonder about is that the pain is what I would call often excruciating. It comes and goes but when it comes it is really eye watering. Is that really 'just' OA? I'm wondering if I should get an MRI but not sure if it will be of much help. I am sched'd for a cortisone shot soon but in the mean time the pain is really acute.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

TIA

JP

How long have you been getting steroid shots in the shoulder for arthritis? I am 68 and wondering if I just get shots every 3-4 months or deal with surgery.

Hi, I’ve had osteoarthritis in almost all my joints for a long time now.

I have very little muscle mass I urgently need to change that.

My priority is building muscle in my glutes, thighs, and calves. But how can I do that when I have SO MANY limitations? For example: I can't/am unable to do leg presses, squats, lunges, or stand on tiptoe...

Thank you.

Just wondering if taking joint supplements (Turmeric extract, Glucosamine, Collagen) has helped any of my fellow sufferers? I’ve been on the 3 listed for about 6 months. I don’t see any improvement. My PC doctor said he believes “taking supplements is a placebo effect” and taking them is a waste of money short of certain ailments and those who don’t get enough nutrients from diet. Diet changes (which I’ve done) and exercise is the best we can do. So if anyone has a success story involving supplements, please do tell.

Hi guys

I just wondered if there was anyone in a similar situation to me that was exercising?

My osteoarthritis is getting progressively worse and some days I can barely move around. I have been told on numerous occasions I’m too young for knee replacement surgery, but after my last set of X-rays in November, the orthopaedic consultant finally conceded and said I’m definitely eligible for the surgery now.

Since I’ve deteriorated, I now have muscle atrophy around my knees/in my quads and was told to go away and work on building up muscle strength because I’d need this for the physio post-surgery.

I was advised to go swimming but had to have a gynae procedure for early stage cancer which meant I couldn’t immerse my nether regions into water until now.

I’ve also gained weight since the decline in my mobility and need to get this off for surgery also.

My local leisure centre had a special offer on for a three month membership and I’ve signed up for this to try and get myself in better shape for surgery. I will start with the swimming and they have aqua aerobics which I will attempt.

I would also like to undertake some resistance training to build up the muscle strength all over my body, but predominantly in my legs. I just wondered had anybody else with bone on bone used the gym for this? Am I being too optimistic bearing in mind I can barely get up and down steps these days due to the incredible pain?

Would be grateful to hear your experiences in terms of resistance training and anything else you found helpful when you’re having to factor in intense pain. Thanks in advance! :)

Hi,

This is a throwaway account. I had a really dark day and I m spiraling mainly because I m getting lot of conflicting info.

Background story : I worked my whole life in a desk job, worked crazy hours (15-17h daily, 7days a week).

And had a really bad junk food, no exercise, heavy smoking lifestyle.

When I hit 44 I damaged my lung badly and lost both my sisters within 5 months and all felt like it was the end. Was told to stop smoking and make a change or I won't keep it for long. And I suddenly was all alone the last remnant of my family.

I decided to change it all.

I quit my job and accepted a job in a different country (Japan), stopped smoking cold turkey, got an online coach and started to focus on me and my health.

For 11 weeks it was hard but I saw progress and it made me happy.

My coach gave me weekly goals and exercise , I cooked (even took some cooking classes) I stopped any junk food and ate healthy, I even started to drink water - which I never did before.

Walked 6500 steps a day, lifted 3 times a week.

But then pain started , my coach told me it s just my body getting used to it. I kept pushing, raised weight lifting and steps , up to 10,000 a day.

I started to see huge progress within the first 11 weeks, body fat going down, I could see the shape of my biceps and shoulder, it felt good. Sore but good. I was in a much better mood and sleep better. Still my hips were painful.

Coach said it means it s working.

4 weeks ago I hurt my shoulder badly trying to catch on a barbell that dropped. My shoulder was extremely painful and had that "click click" when i rotated it.

Coach said to stop and go to doc. Went to "sport clinic" as they call them here in Japan.

Didn't get better so they send me to a actually hospital for a x-ray.

Result : Shoulder , I have some scapula issue and nerve impingement. Nothing PT wouldn't solved. While I was there I asked about my hips. We did a x ray.

That was more bad. I was diagnosed with mild OA on both joint. I had no idea what it was. But was told to lower my walk steps for now, and that basically switching so drastically from sedentary lifestyle for 35 years to hard exercise might have been one of the reason this got accelerated.

I felt like an idiot. I felt so so so stupid. And I still don't understand it all. It felt like I just broke something that is irreversible because I wanted to get in shape so badly.

I am an extreme type of guy, if I do something I do it my all. And now, I broke something forever.

I m now benched with PT for 150 days , and I don't quite understand it all. I don't yet speak fluent japanese(still learning) and using translator is a nightmare as I panic and get spiraling and the doc seems not so worried but at same time tells me, no more workout, this can't be reversed etc...

I have been looking online for the past 7 hours and chatting with both ChatGpt and Claude which is the worse idea ever. It s a mix of the nightmare news ever with a AI that tells me not to worry and ask me how am I feeling. This isn't working. I need real answers.

I m confused in so many ways I m trying to get a list of question for my doc for my next appointment which is in 3 days.

But here is why I post : I need advice and clarification. I need real people experience.

How much is this my fault? My coach? My own stupidity? I seem to read that it s not like it appears out of nowhere just because I exercise? Even if pushed through pain during weeks?

Did me trying to get back in shape quickly basically destroy my hips beyond repair?

How likely could I stay and continue (with adjustment) my return to shape? Should I just forget about it?

Should I try to think about going to a different country find another job to a country where I actually speak the language to treat it correctly?

I saw so much gain and change in my body I got addicted, is that dream to finally get back in shape basically gone? Did I do that for nothing?

How long before I will need a hip joint replacement ? Is it inevitable?

Should I just call it quit? Stop any exercise?

My doc told me slow walking is good but not 10k steps for now. I love walking, and it helps with the cigarette craving. I have been doing 8.5km every day and yes it was painful but it made me feel good about myself and stopped the smoking craving.

I know for most of you, these are some stupid questions and I am an idiot to even ask them, but internet searching has been confusing me more than it should. And waiting 3 more days is gonna drive me insane. I feel this immense sense of regret mixed with confusion.

I passed by a convenient store and saw some man smoking, I went in and bought a pack. I have been staring at it for what feels like hours. That is also why I posted here.

I don't need a pat on the back, I don't need a warm thing. I want to know the clear honest truth. How screwed am I? And how much is it my fault? Did my stupidity ruined my health without a chance to go back?

Thank you.

N.

Two experimental treatments were developed by the University of Colorado:

1. a regenerative joint injection that slowly releases an FDA-approved drug to reverse osteoarthritis, and
2. an arthroscopically delivered protein biomaterial that recruits the body's own cells to repair cartilage and bone defects.

In animal studies, these therapies successfully restored arthritic joints to a healthy state and achieved full tissue regeneration within weeks.

So I'm an adult skater (40) who's been figureskating for almost 2 years now. My progress has been slow, but still progressing. I'm currently working on Delta skills (turns, edges) before finally going to FS1

However, just recently I've been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. I had an old post here before where I was complaining about my knee pain, so I had it checked. This was the diagnosis.

I was wondering if there are any skaters here who are also in a similar disposition as I am? How do you manage? What's your current diet/lifestyle? Do you still attempt jumps? What's your skill trajectory?

I got diganosed w oesteoarthritis in my neck (i'm 26) and i'm looking for pain management that isn't weed or more oral pain medicines. I cant affort PT and i heard about topical pain mediciations, will that work for the neck or only the hands and knees?

I did my second injection on Wednesday in my right thigh and within a few hours my right knee where I have osteoarthritis was very achy and I was having to limp around. Thursday morning my knee was somewhat swollen, achy, and stiff. It’s slightly better but not great on Sunday morning. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary prior to my injection. I haven’t had this type of arthritis pain and swelling in a long time.

I know most people have a reduction in inflammation but has anyone had a flare up after their shot? One of my main goals with taking zep is to reduce inflammation in my knee and this feels like a huge setback.

I got a Cortazone shot which did nothing for me I was wondering if the Hyaluronic acid shot helped anyone?

You all seem to have much more specific information about your disease. All I know is I’ve been dc’d w rheumatoid & osteoarthritis. Nothing about stages grades whatever.

Of course I live in a medical backwater.
How do I find more in depth info?

I am 28 years old and just diagnosed with mild to moderate osteoarthritis in both knees. I’m so upset because I feel like I am so hound to be having this. My mom had the same thing and got double knee replacement surgery at 57 years old. Any others in their twenties or thirties dealing with this and what do you recommend ?

I went through all over internet but i cant seem to find any article about having osteoathritis at 17

the doctors said ill have to get hip replacement done at my left hip at 18 but some say get it done IMMEDIATELY and some say to do it at like 20

But its so fucking painful and my spine lordosis has

gotten bad and i cant even control the awkward posture

I use crutch to walk and iv only been doing physio for past two years

my mom is someone who believes natural healing n stuff so she has this hope i could recover without surgery done

but i cant help it but think i cant

Im hoping to find people like me with osteoarthritis and what treatments helped u thru through this post Thankyou