CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Arthritis and cycling

(11 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Nelly
  • Latest reply from cc
  • This topic is not a support question

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  1. Nelly
    Member

    I have just had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis in my right hip - Its not good, and ultimately a replacement hip is on the cards at some stage.

    I want to put this off as long as possible (I am 43, although my hip appears decades older !), and while my squash career is over, thankfully cycling is good exercise for this problem - low load etc.

    No pain on the bike at all, did a 3 day road trip recently - many hills / miles with no issue at all, although I do sometimes experience some post ride discomfort.

    Question - does anyone on here have experience of anything similar, any management tips etc ?

    I have started using glucosamine, chondroitin and fish oils as supplements, but not keen on using lots of conventional drugs.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Kim
    Member

    I had to stop running as I am at risk of developing arthritis in both knees and was advised that cycling would be a better option as it is low load. Oddly enough, I had cycled to the hospital for the appointment and the X-rays.

    I also use fish oils capsules (1000 mg) as these are the only supplement which have been shown in proper clinical trials to work. Watch out for the vitamin A levels though, some brands have very high levels and this can lead to liver damage. Check the small print and make sure they have reduced vitamin A or you risk poisoning your self over the long term...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    "
    BCCletts:

    @CyclingEdin Arthritis issues - may be worth posting to http://www.inclusivecyclingforum.org.uk as others have experience of this.

    Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/BCCletts/status/78399224689082369

    "

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Nelly
    Member

    Cheers re: other forum, will give it a bash later.

    Kim, good pointer re: vit A - had not clocked that.

    ta,

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    "
    gasbaggrt:

    @CyclingEdin Got arthritis in fingers. Wear Trionz wristband. Sounds airy fairy but def reduced pain even though cycled thru last 5 winters!

    Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/gasbaggrt/status/78411376573419520

    "

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Nelly
    Member

    I used to consider a lot airy fairy, but will consider anything now !!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    With all the usual "health warnings"!

    http://twitter.com/search?q=#Arthritis

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Nelly
    Member

    Yep, there is a lot out there, from complementary to traditional, to the downright nuts !!

    Much of the crazy stuff comes from the USA, but then again so does much of the decent theory.

    Cant access twitter in the office, but will have a look later, ta.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. cc
    Member

    My own experience may be useful here.

    I was diagnosed by a consultant as having osteoarthritis in my left knee. After both losing weight and just kind of putting up with the remaining pain for several years (the medical advice), a friend suggested that I see a physiotherapist.

    I did, and the physio could find no sign of osteoarthritis; it turned out that I didn't have it at all! Instead I had weak quad muscles which meant that my kneecap was squint when moving over my kneecap. Which is painful.

    The physio proved it by giving me some simple thigh exercises which within a week or two made the pain go away entirely.

    I'm sure some unlucky people *do* get osteoarthritis; but my advice is to be doubly sure and check with a physiotherapist rather than just believing what GPs and hospital consultants tell you. In my case they didn't have a clue, and (very confidently) got it utterly wrong, leaving me in pain for several years.

    I saw a physio at FASIC for a bit under £40, at very short notice too, but no doubt there are other good ones.

    My own knee problem simply made me use progressively lower gears over the years for going uphill.

    Losing weight also helped me a lot.

    Finally, for what it's worth, the physio told me that cycling isn't the most complete exercise for your thighs as you use the muscle only in flexion and not in extension (I think...) - she recommended briefly stretching my quadriceps after every cycle ride to make up for it.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Nelly
    Member

    Cheers CC - the MRIs and X-Rays do seem fairly conclusive as to cartilage loss - but then the prognosis and outcome is of course the opinion of the relevant consultant, as I am no expert.

    Agree entirely that - while the medical chaps confidence can be helpful at times - Its worth remembering that its my body - hence I dont want to rush into an op for a new hip without trying other options first.

    I am not overweight, but at 6 feet and 89kilos, still carry a fair bit, so will aim to lose some.

    Useful info regarding physio stuff, I had wondered if physio could do some manipulation to ease pains - I do try and stretch quads and hams after any rides now anyway.

    Cheers to all who have posted, its nice to hear some positive stories :-)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. cc
    Member

    Yes, I reckon if you have any physical problem which you could describe/demonstrate, it's well worth showing it to a physio, so they can tell you what to do to make the best of it. Certainly helped me!
    Anyway, good luck.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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