Hi,
Living with chronic pain effects every aspect of your life; physically and emotionally. I have watched my father as well as other relatives suffer with osteoarthritis. My Father used to avoid stairs because the pain in his right knee was so bad, he couldn't squat down and any type of exercise was to painful. My left foot and hand are now showing signs of the decease. Dad and I have found several ways to help deal with the pain
The first thing you need to do is find another doctor who can help you. Having the right doctor who understands what you are going through and will help to find treatments to help with the pain.
Glucosamine (1500 mg) with Chondroitin (1200 mg) twice a day has helped me. I also have patellofemoral syndrome (runner's knee) and after about two weeks of taking it I noticed that it helped. The pain was less during normal activities but during exercise my knees still hurt. My Father is bone on bone in his x-rays and he did notice a slight improvement.
Exercise and stretching is very important. It is hard to exercise when your are in pain but it does help. When I don't exercise or stretch for a few days I notice a difference. Water aerobics is the best because the water takes the stress off of your joints. My Dad just started to walk and he feels better.
I like to run and play disc golf with my husband and the pain in my knees used to prevent my from doing either until recently. Last October I was at a business luncheon and met Alice Brown the Inventor and Founder of In the Groove. In the Groove has a rehabilitative knee orthosis/brace that realigns the upper and lower leg so the patella can track correctly. By realigning the upper and lower leg this helps to eliminate or reduce the pain, increases mobility and most important it helps to rebuild the muscles of the knee. I have tried several other braces and none of them worked like the In the Groove. It is light weight and comfortable to wear. My Father and I are both using the orthosis/brace and our lives have improved. I am running again (over 3 miles) and playing disc golf pain free. My Dad is now going up and down stairs, can squat and has started walking for exercise.
The orthosis/brace was designed based on a physical therapy exercise called the modified Mulligan mobilization with movement glide. It is easy to do on yourself and if it works the orthosis/brace will work for you.
Try to do the Mulligan mobilization with movement glide on yourself. There are two types of the orthosis/brace; an "A" and "B". The movement will let you know if the orthosis/brace works for you and which type you need. Sit down and do the following:
Place one hand about 2-3 inches above your knee on the side.
Place the other hand about 2-3 inches below your knee.
Press both hands toward the center of the knee.
Bend your knee up and down.
Get up and walk around and you should notice a difference. (The best test is to go up and downstairs.)
If this helps then the orthosis brace will work for you. If not try doing the same thing again placing your hands in the opposite positions. If this works then the orthosis/brace is for you.
The best way to make sure you are ordering the correct type is if you right hand is on your thigh during the Mulligan maneuver then you need an "A". If your left hand is on your thigh then you need a "B".
If you would like more information on the orthosis/brace go to the website: http://www,inthegroovebrace.com. The website is very informative and there is a sizing and fitting video.
I hope this information is a help to you. Please let me know if any of the above help and if anything else you come across that does.