35 days to go and my arthritis has flared in my knee.

[Ms. WDW]

Should I panic?? Or just start ice, drugs and hope for the best?? Seriously...all year I've been just fine. And now....BINGO. Knee pain. I do have my cane that I'll bring. And I'm hoping that in a week I'll be feeling better. But I realize I have to be careful and plan to walk and rest. Thankfully this isn't my first trip and I'm traveling with a friend who is very easy going.

I'd love to hear how anyone with arthritis handles these situations and welcome all comments and suggestions. And are there any topical meds (0ver the counter) that work for you. For example BioFreeze, SalonPas, etc.

Thanks in advance....

 

[Bete]

All your treatments are good ones. I would think about a soft cushion velcro knee brace, too. They're not too expensive.

You may be able to get a cortizone shot for the trip. I recently had to succumb to this treatment myself. For many it provides relief.

Finally, I would recommend a scooter. You can rent in the parks (more expensive) or from an offsite vendor. Depending on your size and weight will dictate the size of the scooter.

The scooter will allow you to be relatively pain free and you will last longer in the parks and enjoy the parks more. Yes, there is a cost, but park tickets are not free and lasting longer in the parks really allows you to get full value on your tickets.

 

[Ms. WDW]

All your treatments are good ones. I would think about a soft cushion velcro knee brace, too. They're not too expensive.

You may be able to get a cortizone shot for the trip. I recently had to succumb to this treatment myself. For many it provides relief.

Finally, I would recommend a scooter. You can rent in the parks (more expensive) or from an offsite vendor. Depending on your size and weight will dictate the size of the scooter.

The scooter will allow you to be relatively pain free and you will last longer in the parks and enjoy the parks more. Yes, there is a cost, but park tickets are not free and lasting longer in the parks really allows you to get full value on your tickets.

Thank you for your suggestion!! I actually called "someone" today. Haha..can't remember the vendor name but they have a presence on the Boardwalk where I'm staying. I was surprised at the price...$30 per day with a 2 day minimum. Not bad. I'm hoping I don't have to do that but at least it's an option. As for the shots..did the shot help you? My MIL get's other shots...some cushioning fluid which she swears by. I'm hoping I don't have to go that route. If it's not better within a few days I'll start my prednisone for a week. THEN...if I have to I'll go see the Ortho Dr.

 

[Bete]

Thank you for your suggestion!! I actually called "someone" today. Haha..can't remember the vendor name but they have a presence on the Boardwalk where I'm staying. I was surprised at the price...$30 per day with a 2 day minimum. Not bad. I'm hoping I don't have to do that but at least it's an option. As for the shots..did the shot help you? My MIL get's other shots...some cushioning fluid which she swears by. I'm hoping I don't have to go that route. If it's not better within a few days I'll start my prednisone for a week. THEN...if I have to I'll go see the Ortho Dr.

The cortizone shot has worked for me so far. I'm into the shot for a week, now. I'm not 100 % free of pain, but I would say I'm 90% better. It was one shot and I was done. Everyone is different with this shot. For some it doesn't work and for others the shot could last a long time. There are side affects with this shot; so, it depends on your overall health. For example, it could raise blood sugars and blood pressure.

It sounds like your MIL received a gel injection. Usually, they will do an MRI for this injection; so, the Ortho doc will know exactly where to do the injection to do the most good. Usually, it's a series of injections; one injection each week for 4 weeks, as an example. I was told by my Ortho doctor that the gel injections work best if you have cartrilege left.

I think you are on the right path with getting a scooter. You have it nice at your resort that there is a vendor right near by.

DisBoard posters have posted pedometer readings for the amount of walking in one day. It ranges from a short day of 6 miles to a long day of 12 miles. Of course, the walking is not constant; so, you have rest periods with shows, parades and eating. It's still a lot of walking when you have a bad knee.

Once you have pain from over doing it, the pain may be around for a time. Remember, if you have to do it you can rent a scooter at the park, too.

 

[demarcilla]

I have done the cortisone shots, the fluid treatment, surgery. They all have helped. The surgery was longer lasting. Except now the arthritis has set in. I'm going in Nov. I am not going to torture myself. I am going to rent a ECV from an outside company. The last time I rented from an outside company. They deliver the ECV right to your hotel. Rented for my husband in the park. Last time it was pre-surgery for me. The trip had been planned and I fell and hurt my good knee just prior to the trip. Couldn't walk for more than a couple of minutes without being in pain. Hubby insisted he didn't want a ECV. He has arthritis in both knees and is always in constant pain. I rented his anyway when we got to the first park. He rode it for apx. 2 mins. then declared he loved it! He still had to walk from the bus stops ect. Even borrowed mine when I wasn't using it @ the hotel. Mine being from an outside company had more power and could go faster. I drove it right onto the buses and off again. Didn't have to walk to from bus stops, hotel room ect. Actually it was the most pain free trip I have ever had @ Disney. Do yourself a favor and rent a ECV.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I have done the cortisone shots, the fluid treatment, surgery. They all have helped. The surgery was longer lasting. Except now the arthritis has set in. I'm going in Nov. I am not going to torture myself. I am going to rent a ECV from an outside company. The last time I rented from an outside company. They deliver the ECV right to your hotel. Rented for my husband in the park. Last time it was pre-surgery for me. The trip had been planned and I fell and hurt my good knee just prior to the trip. Couldn't walk for more than a couple of minutes without being in pain. Hubby insisted he didn't want a ECV. He has arthritis in both knees and is always in constant pain. I rented his anyway when we got to the first park. He rode it for apx. 2 mins. then declared he loved it! He still had to walk from the bus stops ect. Even borrowed mine when I wasn't using it @ the hotel. Mine being from an outside company had more power and could go faster. I drove it right onto the buses and off again. Didn't have to walk to from bus stops, hotel room ect. Actually it was the most pain free trip I have ever had @ Disney. Do yourself a favor and rent a ECV.

Thank you for your reply! Since first posting this the knee has improved. But not to the point where I would trust myself without some sort of mobility device. So I'm bringing my cane, knee brace and I'm renting a Rollator. I don't need the ECV. At least I don't think I do. I get around pretty well with the brace and do sit when I feel I need to. So I think I should be ok.

I leave in 18 days so I'm still hoping for more improvement! But...if I feel I need a scooter for a day I'll see about getting one on the Boardwalk. I realize it's a 2 day minimum and that's fine!

 

[powellrj]

Instead of renting a rollator, you should look into buying one. This is the one I have, I got mine on Amazon and I think it might have been a little cheaper and since I have prime, I got it in 2 days.
http://www.overstock.com/Health-Bea...efccid=2MZ4S6IEQDOJSVCD7D6ALQ5QW4&searchidx=9

Its wonderful. I get so many comments when I take it out with me. One of the advantages it has is that it folds flat so when you take it someplace, you can fold it up. Not all rollators will do that. The seat is very comfortable and its nice to know you always have a seat with you.