Walking and hiking with swollen knee?
What have your rheumatologists said about walking and hiking when your knee is swollen from a PsA flare, but not particularly painful?
The orthopedic surgeon I saw recently, who recommended I see a rheumatologist because my MRI showed no sign of an injury that could cause my knee swelling, said I should minimize walking on my swollen knee to avoid joint damage. He even said a walk around the block was a bad idea. However, my memory of what rheumatologists told me in the past (its been a long time) is that exercise is not only ok, it's good to keep moving.
I was planning to follow the orthopedist's advice and stay off my knee until I could see a rheumatologist and get their opinion, but in my area the rheumatologists are triaging new patients (you submit medical records and then they give appointments to the worst off) and who knows how long it will be before I see one. I really miss my long walks and hikes, so I thought I would ask here to see what other people have been told about walking on a swollen knee that doesn't hurt much.
Absolutely not a doctor, but there's swollen and then there's swollen, IMHO. I am very active with pain - I have to move and I make myself move because I know I am better for it...and I stretch. Motion is lotion, don't move/can't move, etc.
With a visibly swollen knee ? I would probably go hang out in the water alternating between the hot tub and cooler pool to hang a bit, exercise a bit like in a water class. Water is so good for the joints and you can move with a bit of resistance in so many directions.
Maybe see a physiotherapist ? Again, IMHO, they tend to give you exercises that aren't fun to do at home (just boring is all) and send you on your way but if you get a good one they might offer some good guidelines.
Thank you @northernelf for your response. Hanging out in the water would be easier on the swollen knee. I really appreciate your suggestions. Vickie W., Team Member
Hi @AndyinAZ that is a great question. This might be going against the grain of opinions but I would lean more into what that orthopedic surgeon said. He is right that it could cause more damage to your joints in your knee. I would recommend submitting his report to the rheumatologist to see if that could get you in quicker. You might also reach out to the Patient Navigation Center of the National Psoriasis Foundation at 1-800-723-9166 option 1 to talk to someone there to see if they can help get you into a rheumatologist faster. Please come back and update us if you would like. Vickie W., Team Member
