OpenHealth Q&A

19-Year-Old Female with Arthritis and Knee Issues Seeks Advice on Managing Symptoms Without Healthcare Access

Hello everyone! As mentioned in the title, I'm a 19-year-old female. My height is 160 cm and my current weight is between 70 and 71 kg. I take daily supplements of vitamin D and iron. There is a history of knee issues in my family—my grandmother underwent two knee surgeries, and my mother has complications from a knee injury sustained during her pregnancy—but I'm not entirely sure if this signifies a hereditary connection. I don't have any fever symptoms. **Past Health Issues:** Throughout my childhood, I struggled with obesity, weighing between 80 and 90 kg until I reached the age of 16. At that point, I began monitoring my calorie intake, which helped me reduce my weight to 65 kg. However, over the last year, I've gained about 10 kg, primarily due to mental health challenges. Currently, I weigh around 74 kg and am actively working on shedding some pounds again, which is why I'm at 71 kg at this moment. I’ve experienced persistent joint and bone pain since I was younger. I suspect my previous weight played a significant role, but the discomfort has escalated recently. In my childhood, I had trouble sitting cross-legged due to discomfort and knee pain. About a year ago, I focused on improving my cardiovascular fitness since I would noticeably get winded from climbing stairs. I started the Couch to 5K program and began using my complex's treadmill for light jogging while ensuring I didn't push myself too hard. Unfortunately, after 2-3 weeks, I developed severe ankle pain that rendered me unable to walk properly for several months. I had to either stay in bed or limp around. A couple of months back, I experienced a frustrating period where I couldn’t move my wrists and fingers for two weeks. **Current Concerns:** Recently, I’ve been dealing with severe pain in my right knee, to the point where walking has become extremely difficult. Some days, even sitting or lying down causes discomfort, while most of the time, I experience a dull ache that prevents me from fully placing weight on my leg, leading me to limp. This situation has persisted for around 2-3 weeks, and there has been no sign of relief. My joints—ankles, toes, fingers, wrists, and knees—have always been somewhat sore and occasionally ached, but never to this extent. **Additional Context:** Since the beginning of the year, my physical activity has dropped dramatically. I attend tuition classes once a week, which is a small, five-minute walk from my home. Beyond that, my activity has been limited to moving between my bed, bathroom, and kitchen. As part of my daily Muslim prayers, which involve multiple positions that require bending my knees and bringing my forehead to the ground, I usually perform these actions about 28 times per day. However, during Ramadan, this increases to over 36 times daily. The onset of my knee pain coincided with the start of Ramadan, which I thought might be linked. The most troublesome position is when I crouch with my calves under my thighs—doing this now is impossible without severe pain. For half of my prayers, I’ve resorted to hovering about 10 cm above my thighs, using my glutes and inner thigh muscles for support. Additionally, I've begun placing a pillow beneath my knees and bearing weight on my arms during these positions. For the other half of my prayers, I’ve switched to using a chair instead. **Reason for Reaching Out:** My parents, both doctors, hold the belief that medical visits are unnecessary, which is complicated since I still live with them and require their approval. Despite years of dealing with my pain, it has usually been ignored or downplayed (even by me since I trusted their judgement). However, my knee became a turning point; after weeks of mobility issues, they finally agreed I should see a general practitioner. The GP suggested I could have rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, while my dad speculated juvenile arthritis. The GP recommended an orthopedic specialist for further testing, including assessments for connective tissue disorders. Unfortunately, accessing these consultations poses a challenge due to my parents’ control over financial decisions. As a non-local citizen, the fees for such evaluations, which could range from $50-100, are not feasible for me to handle on my own, particularly since I'd need to keep it from my parents, which could lead to significant conflict. I hope to move out later this year, which would allow me to afford medical care independently next year. Until then, I urgently seek advice on how to manage my condition and prevent further deterioration. Already struggling with one knee, I want to avoid being bedridden or dependent on crutches, and I worry about the potential for my other knee and joints to also become compromised. Given that I'm grappling with this in my teenage years, I’m eager to prevent any worst-case scenarios. Through my own research, I have realized that conservative treatment options seem to be my only hope, as nothing appears capable of fully healing my condition. I also found resources like the versusarthritis website and attempted some exercises, but many are challenging and some exacerbate my knee pain, leaving me uncertain about what is considered acceptable discomfort. I wish to avoid any actions that might jeopardize my already delicate situation. Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy post! I felt it was essential to share these details with you all for a better understanding of my struggles.

Answers (1)

3/27/2025, 6:01:08 AM

OpenHealth AI

Thank you for sharing your detailed history and concerns. Managing joint pain, especially when dealing with potential conditions like arthritis, can be challenging, but there are effective ways to cope and improve your quality of life.

Main Points:

1. Understanding your pain and its potential connection to previous weight issues and physical activity is crucial.
2. Gentle movements and modifications to daily activities can alleviate discomfort.
3. Prioritizing low-impact exercises and proper rest is essential.

Explanation:

Your knee pain and joint discomfort may stem from a combination of genetic predisposition, history of obesity, and recent changes in physical activity. It's good to pay attention to how your body feels and adapt your activities accordingly.

Managing arthritis often involves a blend of careful exercise, weight management, and lifestyle modifications to support joint health. Since you’ve mentioned experiencing pain with certain movements, it’s important to approach exercise and daily activities cautiously and adaptively.

Next Steps:

1. Rest and Ice: Given your current pain levels, prioritize rest. After any activity that worsens your pain, apply ice for 15-20 minutes to manage inflammation.

2. Modify Activities: Continue using supportive methods during prayers and daily activities. Incorporating a chair during your prayers is a practical solution. Building a safe, supportive environment will help you avoid worsening your pain.

3. Gentle, Low-Impact Exercises: Focus on range-of-motion and strengthening exercises that don't strain your knees. Here are some options:

   • Straight Leg Raises: Lying down, keep one leg straight and lift it slowly off the ground, hold for a few seconds, and lower it. Repeat on both sides.
   • Seated Knee Extensions: Sit on a chair, extend a leg straight out in front, hold for a few seconds, then lower it. This can help strengthen the muscles around your knees without added strain.
   • Swimming or Water Aerobics: If accessible, these activities relieve pressure on joints while providing great cardiovascular benefits.

4. Maintain Adequate Nutrition: Continue with your vitamin D and iron supplements. Focus on a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, which can support your overall health and weight management efforts.

5. Track Your Symptoms: Keep a diary of your daily activities and pain levels to identify specific triggers. This might help you understand which activities to modify or avoid.

6. Seek Emotional Support: Navigating chronic pain, especially during your teenage years, can be overwhelming. Engage with supportive friends or online communities to share your experiences and receive encouragement.

Please remember to be patient with yourself as you navigate these challenges. It’s great to see your proactive approach to managing your health. Let me know if you need further guidance or have additional questions!