UKC

Old person's problem: has anyone in this parish been afflicted by oesteo-arthritis of the foot? How does it affect their climbing? Have they had the affected joint's bones fused? How has that affected their climbing? 

Hi Chris,

Yes, I've been diagnosed with osteo-arthritis in both my hands, my left foot and both knees. Thankfully, a blood test ruled out rheumatoid arthritis, as that is far worse and gradually gets worse. I had x-rays to confirm it.

I also had scans of both knees a few years ago which confirmed osteo-arthritis, i.e. a thinning of the cartilage in the knee, which resulted in fluid on the knee after a day on the hill. To combat that I started taking supplements; turmeric with black pepper as well as glucosamine with chondroitin and calcium. After a month of that I've never had a problem with my knees since. However, it hasn't helped with my feet or fingers.

Foot problems: pain in the 5th metatarsal on my left foot.

Hands: finger joints, probably to too much climbing doing finger traverses on indoor walls and too much weight training.

I've given up climbing and weights and am now enjoying lots of days on the hill in the Lakes and Scotland. Thank God for glucosamine and turmeric. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and glucosamine is supposed to regenerate cartilage. I'm no expert, but all I can say is it's seemed to have worked for my knees.

It probably doesn't completely answer your question, but I hope it gives you some help.

Hi, and thank you. It's great to hear that your mountain walking continues courtesy of glucosamine and turmeric. Not so great to hear that you have given up climbing. Osteo-A is a right pain in the ass!

I've got oesteo-arthritus in my big toes and shoulders. It's not a problem for me most of the time but othertimes it can be painful to just walk. If it's bad I use 400mg Ibuprofen (got on prescription for this very issue). I don't let it stop me climbing or running but I sometimes have great difficulty committing to putting my whole weight through a big toe! Occaisionally I bend the toe back accidently which hurts like hell but it does seem to give me more mobility and less pain for a few weeks.

Do some research on crespine gel. It’s not available on the NHS afaik, they prefer the much cheaper steroid/hydrocortisone route (which is useless). Recommended for hallux rigidus, shoulders and knees.

There's absolutely no evidence that hyaluronic acid works either so....

Thank you for these ideas. I have an X-ray session coming up to confirm/deny the OA diagnosis.

My osteopath, consultant, and wife ( who has had a successful shoulder injection for o.a. ) might beg to differ.