Well, I don’t know about the rest of youse guys (gals), but I am starting to have trouble with my knees. Arthritis, degenerative bone disease, wearing out, just getting old (waaaa).
Standing at my lathe, or at my bench for extended periods, I am starting to suffer. I was just wondering if any of youse have any ingenious ways of dealing with it. Besides pads on the floor, I have toyed with the idea of a stool with a tilted seat or some such. I was just wondering if any of you out there deal with this and what you have done to moderate the discomfort? Thx
Replies
Anti-fatigue floor mats help a lot, as do shoes with resilient soles. Maybe those Icy-Hot knee wraps would help. For pain relief, I use Naproxin Sodium, sold as Alleve and the Wallgreen's or Osco generic equivalent (because it's a lot cheaper but works just as well) since aspirin, acetaminophen and Motrin don't do much for me. Keeping the area from being cold and damp is another big help.
I'm not getting old, I've done it! Welcome to the Arthritis Club. I have it in my hands, neck & back. It seems to be creeping up on my knees, too. Generic Daypro is a drug which helps me. Requires Rx, but is not awfully costly since going generic.
You might consult the folks who sell prosthetics for feet & legs. Something as simple as an arch support may help. They will probably be able to offer suggestions. Sitting down for a break every hour or so may help a lot. Working on a wooden floor rather than concrete usually is easier on the feet & legs, too.
I want to track these postings to see what others have to say. Thanxx!!
Cadiddlehopper
You might consult the folks who sell prosthetics for feet & legs.
Or, if you've got feet and legs, check with the folks who sell orthotics. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
I stand corrected, I think. Will consult a dictionary next time.Cadiddlehopper
I am a fledgling to the club. I have it in 1 ring finger knuckle and starting in the other - Osteo not Rhuematoid (sp). What seems to help is the glucosomine/chodatrin supplements1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
I tried that for a couple of months with no improvement. I heard a report to the effect that GC seems to work well for really bad cases, but if it is mild, the improvement wasn't so great. NSAIDs seemed to work better in the milder cases. One feature of my case is that it seems to come and go over long periods in particular joints. There are weather changes which effect it also. A local weatherman said that some think that barometric pressure changes cause it. I wonder why an elevation change of 10,000 feet doesn't cause it if barometric pressure is the culprit. Whatever the cause, it must be associated with pressure change.At any rate, I hope to suffer from it for a long time because I know what the alternative is.Cadiddlehopper
Clem, is that you?I think it has more to do with sudden changes in baro, not just air pressure, per se. Ask really old people with "rumatiz" how they can tell when it's going to rain. Or, just watch people gimp around when they normally are fine.I used to do a mean Gertrude and Heathcliff, years ago.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
C. Warren, not Clem. I think rumatiz relates to electric charge in the atmosphere which may be associated with pressure change or precipitation. I have observed the same event repeated many times which gave me specific pain. The story is too long to relate here.Cadiddlehopper
high,
Gertrude: Why are you limping around like that? What happened to you?
Heathcliffe: Arthritis.
G: Oh, I know all those no-account Ritis boys, and that Arthur, he's the worst of the lot.
"What seems to help is the glucosomine/chodatrin supplements"Not according to the results of the newest study, but then again, they're only practicing medicine, aren't they?
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
dontknowturnin,
About 15 yrs ago I had back surgery done and then I had to have a second done about 12 yrs ago now I have arthurius in my back,feet,hands,neck Well I guess you could say pretty much through out my joints so for me I have to take meds that a bit more powerfull than over the counter stuff. This winter has been absolutly terrible I've only spent just a few hours in the shop since cold weather has began. I hope to get back in the shop more when warm weather gets here (Hopefully) Alls I can say is is get some good shoes and put down some pads where ever you spend the most time in your shop. The pads are a bit of a pain when your sweeping up but they sure save alot on stress to your back and legs. Good Luck
Jim C in Michigan
In the United Kingdom we have web site called Prodigy
The web address is http://www.prodigy.nhs.uk The site is an excellent source of information on many health topics
For osteoarthritis select full guidance then select musculoskeletal then read appropriate sections
Other information can be found by selecting patient information leaflets ,then select full list ,then select osteoarthritis
Please note I assume you have osteoarthritis not rheumatoid
Finally always check with an appropriate healthcare professional before making any decisions or taking any course of action and always ask for explanations from an appropriate healthcare professional before assuming any of the information applies to you
regards Charnwood
I am sure you will get a host of replies. My solution to the problem was supplements. I started taking glucosamine and added fish oil derived Omega3 tablets to my vitamin regimen. My hands grew less sore and my legs and back issues diminished alot. It took about 6-8 weeks for the full effect to happen but I am working more comfortably now. aloha, mike
"Standing at my lathe, or at my bench for extended periods, I am starting to suffer." You need to counteract that stationary time with movement, movement, movement! I too have arthritis (surgery last fall on R. knee). Lots of back and hip problems too. One thing that's been driven into me is that your joints must move to be healthy!!! So, get thee a stationary bike (or a mobile bike, LOL) and spend 15-20 minutes morning and night pedaling away. That is the absolutely best thing for your knees. Movement lubricates the joint. Movement without weight-bearing is kind to the knees.
Also, a number of health professionals (doctors and physical therapists) do recommend Glucosamine. My doc, who plays basketball on a regular basis, has had great success with improvement in his knees.
PS: Also, break up those long static periods with just flexing your knees. Do avoid squatting down, which bends them way too far and puts a great deal of stress on them. After my surgery, I bought one of those cheap rolling mechanics stools at Harbor Freight. I use that whenever I need to fool with the pellet stove, work on the jointer knives, dig around under the table saw.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 3/28/2006 12:10 pm by forestgirl
"Also, a number of health professionals (doctors and physical therapists) do recommend Glucosamine."
I used to take that as well, but stopped when it didn't seem to be doing much, if anything. Then, recently, a study was completed that proved that G/C had no positive effects when compared to placebos. I guess that's why it didn't seem to be doing much! <G>
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
There are definitely mixed opinions on glucosamine. I would be interested in reading the study. Do you happen to know about when it was released, or maybe the journal it was in? I worked in cancer research for a few years when I first moved up here, and have a fair amount of college-level research experience, so I never believe the news reports on these studies. Too much is left out, and the condensation of the results is often misleading.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
FG said "I would be interested in reading the study. Do you happen to know about when it was released, or maybe the journal it was in? I never believe the news reports on these studies. Too much is left out, and the condensation of the results is often misleading."
Point to ForestGirl. After doing a bit of digging to respond to you, I found the following link:
http://www.nbc4.tv/health/5541740/detail.html
It seems the news story I saw only reported part of the results. It's true that when applied to the whole group under study, the study showed no difference between G/C and a placebo, but it somewhat better results for those with "moderate to severe pain". I'd consider myself in that class, but am among those G/C does not benefit. YMMV. For me, the best tactic is to grin an bear it, and just keep on keepin' on.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Thanks for the link, Mike. The first study I remember seeing, and it was a long, long time ago, had radigraphic evidence that there was actually improved cartilage after a certain amount of time. Sorry I don't remember more details. Having patient simply report their level of pain is a pretty iffy measurement. One thing for sure is, you need to take it consistently and in the right amount. I have been very lazy about doing that, so personally I can't "testify".
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 3/29/2006 1:29 pm by forestgirl
Another 50 + here. Two Blown discs, Sciatica, Sore sholders. Etc.Etc. But we are fortunate.. The other ulternative isn't too good. Unless there's a fully equipped shop there. Point to ponder.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S. Counter Sales, Tech Rep. http://WWW.EAGLEAMERICA.COM
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