knee / joint supports

[bigb00]

anyone wear knee suppports? or any other kind of supports ( wrist, elbow etc )
I'm having lots of trouble with my L knee. "keeping off of it " or "taking it easy " isn't an option.
I'm on Celebrex & Tramadol. Wondering if using some kind of a support brace might be helpful but haven't really seen them mentioned much ...
don't really have tons of money or any kind of insurance so what I am looking at are these

walgreens.com/store/c/mueller-sport-care-adjustable-knee-support-black-left-or-right/ID=prod1034581-product

or

amazon.com/Futuro-Sport-Adjustable-Knee-Support/dp/B000FKLLHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325225932&sr=8-1

they do mention stabilization and arthritis....

Sorry if this has been talked about before, and thanks in advance for your opinions.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Have you had the knee x-rayed? I was told for 6 years I had bursitis. I didn't have an x-ray. After I pretty well ppleaded for an x-ray they disovered it was Grade 4 arthritis - not bursitis - and I basically needed a partial knee replacement which has been spectacularly successful.

I used to wear a knee support and it did help. It was a simple elasticated one. I really needed the surgery though.

Take care - scottie 

[bigb00]

no never had any kind of xray.
Found an old knee brace in my closet from a few years back when i got into a car accident. It is identical to these ones - i will try it out and let you guys know if it helps.
if you have "arthritis" can it only be in one knee? or is it always in both and i've just injured or strained this one?

[eyeamdry]

You really need to do as Scottie says.  Likely you have arthritis and some knee splints etc might help but probably not enough.  Plus they are hard to deal with.  I have about a half dozen different kinds.

I had a partial knee replacement about 8 years ago which is now loose and will have to be redone to a full knee replacement when I decide.  I am two months into a total knee replacement for my left knee and doing ok on that one.  Still have some healing to do.

Once your knees start acting up, you need the doc.  There is things way before knee replacement that he might recommend.  Arthritis can only be in one knee.  Although it can show up any time in the other one.  Lucy

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

RA tends to be 'symmetrical' but osteoarthritis can cause a joint to disintergrate all by itself. My left knee worse away. My right knee is fine. My left shoulder is fine but my right shoulder has OA. I still recommend an x-ray so you know what you're dealing with.

Take care - Scottie