alright, brief background, my mother in law lives in one of those great ex-ussr republics, so healthcare is nil there. she suffers from a reoccuring knee problem and the medical places there are to incapable of handling it (nor would i want them to try)

her knee (just one) swells up and hurts and seems to swell up right around the knee cap part (or maybe under it?? around that area) and it goes like this.....if she sits at home for about 2 or 3 days, then it goes away and feels good, when she walks again and works (which her work requires alot of standing) it takes about 2 days for it to swell and hurt again.

we are flying there this fall and i would like to know is there a pill/drug or whatever that i can bring that will fix, help, releive, do anything to help?

and is there any other info i can pass on that would help her not have her knee hurt so much?

thank you.

 

She is probably getting water on the knee. It can be drained and steroid shots given- at least thats what they do for me. She can get a diuretic (sp) pill or what she may find more available over there- dandelion root. If she doesn't have the pills or can't get them, GNC usually has the dandelion root and it can be sent via mail. It's not very expensive. I would also send her an elastic knee brace that can be had at any drugstore.

 

It sounds like bursitis. This is the inflammation of the Bursa sac of the knee. This is a chronic condition and has to be dealt with, but you can do something’s to minimize the swelling of her knee.

1. Ice, Ice, and more Ice….Ice for 20 minutes and then no ice for 30 minutes. Three times in a day. The best thing to use frozen pea’s or corn, because it is pliable.
2. Elevate the knee when icing.
3. DO NOT TAKE HOT BATHS as this will bring more fluid into the knee.
4. Take ibuprophin (NSAID – Non steroidal anti-inflammatory) with meals as directed on the bottle.
5. Rest as much as possible.

 

And make sure the frozen peas are labelled " DO NOT EAT " otherwise she'll have more problems to deal with.

I am curious to know of she strained it at anytime ?

My ACL tear from November & other injuries then still cause my knee to swell a little.

Another cheap anti-flamatory you could take to her is Glucosamine Sulfate for long time treatment.

 

When I ETS'd out of the Army in '01 I gained 40 lbs in about 1 year. My knees would ache and swell as well. I went to the doctor and since I have great health insurance they wanted to operate. I denied the sugery and lost the 40 lbs I gained and now all is well again. Is she a big women?

 

Only time my knees swell is immediately after I dislocate a patella (not fun, by the way.) Usually stays that way for a while, depending on how long it takes me to put it back in/get it put back in..

Is this swelling prompted by any kind of fall, sharp pain, any other out-of-the-ordinary action, or just completely unprompted?

 

ACL will be a deep pain and will often be stated by the individual as their lower leg and upper leg are not attached tightly.

Yes, make sure that you label the bag.....

You also might want to ask her to try this test.

Here is a quick way to find out about a knee problem.

MEINUCUS - Get in the same position as a catcher in baseball and then try to walk forward in that position. Conduct this test on either hard wood, tile or vinyl floor ONLY. She can have a person help her with stabilization. IF she cannot get into the position with pain or walk without pain it is a possible meniscus tear.

ACL- (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) lie on the ground and take a chair and put your lower gets up on the chair. Put yourself in a 90 degree bend from the upper and lower legs. Look at the knee right below the patella (knee cap) on the lower leg side. If there seems to be sag, then you have a possible ACL problem.

MCL – (Medial Collateral Ligament) Have a person lay on their back and put one hand superior (just a little above) and LATERAL (on the OUTSIDE) the knee join and the other hand on the medial side of the lower leg a little superior to the ankle. About three inches superior of the medial malleolus (bump on the ankle on the inside of your foot). Apply a little pressure or your LOWER (ankle) hand moving in a lateral direction AWAY FROM THE BODY LINE. Conduct this test in straight leg and 30 degree bend.

LCL – (Lateral Collateral Ligament) Have a person lay on their back and put one hand superior (just a little above) and MEDIAL (on the INSIDE) the knee join and the other hand on the lateral side of the lower leg a little superior to the ankle. About three inches superior of the medial malleolus (bump on the ankle on the inside of your foot). Apply a little pressure or your LOWER (ankle) hand moving in a lateral direction TOWARDS THE BODY LINE. Conduct this test in straight leg and 30 degree bend.

Test bilaterally to see if there are any irregularities on the test.

Sorry….Teaching moment….

 

shoot, i forgot to say thanks for the info!

 

What about bringing her over here?

 

bringing her over here here would be nice, but finances prevent it. we are hoping to have the money this summer or next summer for it. we are about to go over there next week for a nice 7 week vacation!