Re: Cho-pat dual action knee brace and arthritis sleeves - any experience?

[Guest guest]

Judy,

I bought the Cho-pat straps and they don't help, not for chondro problems. I

also spoke to my doctor about Synvisc and she said that's more for straight

osteoarthritis problems, not chondro.

I totally agree with your heal thyself attitude. I've tried everything that

the " doctors " recommended (physio, cortisone shots, NSAIDS) and nothing

helped.

If you want superb (but very ugly) braces get the ones I bought while on

vacation in Europe. I went to a serious orthopedic store and boy they know

their stuff in Europe. I showed the braces to my trainer at the gym who has

a physio background and she said they're the best she's every seen. I wear

them for downhill skiing and they really help. They're called GENUTRAIN P3.

You can buy them on painreliever.com. And they're cheaper in the US than in

Europe (I paid over $250 for them).

After years of tortuous pain, I joined a gym where the trainer gives me

knee-friendly exercises to strengthen quads, etc. I wear the braces when I

know I'm going to have an active day. I also drink Hawaiian Noni Juice,

which seems to help keep down the inflammation. After a rough day, I may

take an Ibubrofen.

Although I'm not 100% pain free, I'm MUCH better after years of suffering.

Hope that helps.

Lucy

Cho-pat dual action knee brace and

arthritis sleeves - any experience?

Hi all,

I was diagnosed in May of this year with large tears on medial

meniscus on both knees. I've already had the arthroscopic surgeries

to remove torn meniscus (I was very hobbled before surgery so went

for it). OS finds out when he's in my knees that I laso have grade

2 OA in both knees and chondromalacia in both knees. I don't know

the severity of the chondro. I have just finished 7 weeks of PT

(insurance won't pay for any additional visits). Although my quads,

hamstrings, and calves are stretched and stronger, my knee pain is

still very present. I wasn't able to do many of the exercises they

wanted me to do because of the pain. I sometimes think PT folks

don't have a clue. The pain never, ever drops below the pain scale

of 3 and when it is cold and rainy, it is up there is the 6-7

range. I have crepitus in both knees, maltracking, etc. My primary

doctor gave me script for Relafen (nabumatone) but it isn't really

helping. I've been on Aleve and Advil with no success. I'm not

into narcotics as I still have many left over from the surgeries.

I can't live like this anymore. I'm doing the " heal thyself "

regimen now because I am disgusted with traditional medicine. I'm

taking turmeric and stinging nettle as supplements (both helpwith

pain and inflammation. I'm using an all-natural capsacin cream

also. I'm also doing accupuncture and massage therapy.

My question is this: has anyone tried using the cho-pat dual-action

knee strap/brace and/or arthritis sleeves for sleeping at night?

the cho-pat brace has two straps, one above and below the patella.

One other question - does anyone know if Synvisc of Hyalgan is

indicated for chondro. I'm pretty sure I'm a candidate for the

injections because of my moderate OA but does it help with the

chondro whcih is my main problem right now.

Many thanks

Judy

[Guest guest]

I have found the Pattstrap Knee Compression strap to feel better for

me. http://pattstrap.com/pattstrap-counter-force-knee-strap-p-28.html

>

> Hi all,

>

> I was diagnosed in May of this year with large tears on medial

> meniscus on both knees. I've already had the arthroscopic

surgeries

> to remove torn meniscus (I was very hobbled before surgery so went

> for it). OS finds out when he's in my knees that I laso have grade

> 2 OA in both knees and chondromalacia in both knees. I don't know

> the severity of the chondro. I have just finished 7 weeks of PT

> (insurance won't pay for any additional visits). Although my

quads,

> hamstrings, and calves are stretched and stronger, my knee pain is

> still very present. I wasn't able to do many of the exercises they

> wanted me to do because of the pain. I sometimes think PT folks

> don't have a clue. The pain never, ever drops below the pain scale

> of 3 and when it is cold and rainy, it is up there is the 6-7

> range. I have crepitus in both knees, maltracking, etc. My

primary

> doctor gave me script for Relafen (nabumatone) but it isn't really

> helping. I've been on Aleve and Advil with no success. I'm not

> into narcotics as I still have many left over from the surgeries.

>

> I can't live like this anymore. I'm doing the " heal thyself "

> regimen now because I am disgusted with traditional medicine. I'm

> taking turmeric and stinging nettle as supplements (both helpwith

> pain and inflammation. I'm using an all-natural capsacin cream

> also. I'm also doing accupuncture and massage therapy.

>

> My question is this: has anyone tried using the cho-pat dual-

action

> knee strap/brace and/or arthritis sleeves for sleeping at night?

> the cho-pat brace has two straps, one above and below the patella.

> One other question - does anyone know if Synvisc of Hyalgan is

> indicated for chondro. I'm pretty sure I'm a candidate for the

> injections because of my moderate OA but does it help with the

> chondro whcih is my main problem right now.

>

> Many thanks

> Judy

>

[Guest guest]

>

I was reading through old postings looking for some relief at night for pain and

came across this older posting originally from Judy...

There is a common misconception that CP is not OA; I too did not understand this

until just recently. If you are Grade 2 or 3 that is O

A. The cartilage is being damaged from wear and tear; that's all OA means. And

if the problem continues you will no longer have CP, you will be Grade 4 OA and

the joint is toast. I know; I have just been down this path in the last month. I

went from Grade 3 to 4 in a matter of months and it has been quite a shock. I'm

a big believer in " heal thyself " as well since I had found no help in the

medical community for 37 years. I religously worked out, skied, hiked, cycled to

the best of my ability (braces, ibuprofan etc.) The bottom line I guess is you

have to keep working with the best medical team you can find and do as much

research on your own as possible. I didn't, and now am paying the price. Doctors

never ever said there was anything they could do and I think that was wrong

information. Why in the world is hyalgan et.al. NOT used earlier? Why in the

world are the injections " saved " until it is too late???? I do know one fellow

however who is not Grade 4 and his doc is using Synvisc on him. Lucky fellow!

There is a mighty big pain and function difference between Grade 3 and Grade

4...don't go there.

-sharon

> Judy,

> I bought the Cho-pat straps and they don't help, not for chondro problems. I

> also spoke to my doctor about Synvisc and she said that's more for straight

> osteoarthritis problems, not chondro.

>

> I totally agree with your heal thyself attitude. I've tried everything that

> the " doctors " recommended (physio, cortisone shots, NSAIDS) and nothing

> helped.

>

> If you want superb (but very ugly) braces get the ones I bought while on

> vacation in Europe. I went to a serious orthopedic store and boy they know

> their stuff in Europe. I showed the braces to my trainer at the gym who has

> a physio background and she said they're the best she's every seen. I wear

> them for downhill skiing and they really help. They're called GENUTRAIN P3.

> You can buy them on painreliever.com. And they're cheaper in the US than in

> Europe (I paid over $250 for them).

>

> After years of tortuous pain, I joined a gym where the trainer gives me

> knee-friendly exercises to strengthen quads, etc. I wear the braces when I

> know I'm going to have an active day. I also drink Hawaiian Noni Juice,

> which seems to help keep down the inflammation. After a rough day, I may

> take an Ibubrofen.

>

> Although I'm not 100% pain free, I'm MUCH better after years of suffering.

>

> Hope that helps.

>

> Lucy

>

>

> Cho-pat dual action knee brace and

> arthritis sleeves - any experience?

>

> Hi all,

>

> I was diagnosed in May of this year with large tears on medial

> meniscus on both knees. I've already had the arthroscopic surgeries

> to remove torn meniscus (I was very hobbled before surgery so went

> for it). OS finds out when he's in my knees that I laso have grade

> 2 OA in both knees and chondromalacia in both knees. I don't know

> the severity of the chondro. I have just finished 7 weeks of PT

> (insurance won't pay for any additional visits). Although my quads,

> hamstrings, and calves are stretched and stronger, my knee pain is

> still very present. I wasn't able to do many of the exercises they

> wanted me to do because of the pain. I sometimes think PT folks

> don't have a clue. The pain never, ever drops below the pain scale

> of 3 and when it is cold and rainy, it is up there is the 6-7

> range. I have crepitus in both knees, maltracking, etc. My primary

> doctor gave me script for Relafen (nabumatone) but it isn't really

> helping. I've been on Aleve and Advil with no success. I'm not

> into narcotics as I still have many left over from the surgeries.

>

> I can't live like this anymore. I'm doing the " heal thyself "

> regimen now because I am disgusted with traditional medicine. I'm

> taking turmeric and stinging nettle as supplements (both helpwith

> pain and inflammation. I'm using an all-natural capsacin cream

> also. I'm also doing accupuncture and massage therapy.

>

> My question is this: has anyone tried using the cho-pat dual-action

> knee strap/brace and/or arthritis sleeves for sleeping at night?

> the cho-pat brace has two straps, one above and below the patella.

> One other question - does anyone know if Synvisc of Hyalgan is

> indicated for chondro. I'm pretty sure I'm a candidate for the

> injections because of my moderate OA but does it help with the

> chondro whcih is my main problem right now.

>

> Many thanks

> Judy

>

>

>

>

>