Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips knees n things

Hello there. whats actually going on with all the knee/elbow/neck (insert your own!) cracking? Is it that the cartilage is breaking down or bone spurs clashing or what? Just curious as for ages I'd presumed I knew a lot about various forms of arthritis as my problem started in knees. It's only very recently that they've said I has AS - which nobody suspected initially - and I have little idea about the nature of joint destruction with this 'new' illness.

Thanks

Adam

Billy,
Welcome.
Sorry to hear about the new diagnois. You've come to the right place for answers and all round support. The folks here at Kickas have a combined knowledge that's unequal. If they don't know the answer to your question they most likly would know where to find more resources for you.
Try posting this on the support discussion. Bet you'll have a ton of help.
Klem

Hi Adam,

Welcome to KA - let me suggest, as Klem did - that you post in the main KA support forum. More people will see your post and you'll get lots of great advice.

If you read through some of the info on the website generally, you'll find out more about what AS does in terms of joint destruction.

Always hard to hear that someone else has been diagnosed with AS. Good that you found us all,

Cat

THe crackling or cracking is probably soft tissue adhesions popping. Massage and lots of water drinking helps. As does the NSD and if you're able certain med's like ENbrel.

Wherever I heard crackling is now a decade later a place where I have fusion and no mobility.



 
stevec-they also serve who stand and wait

Hi, I've alot of cracking in my knees and elbows as well, esp after a flare. I'm wondering why too Hopefully, they won't fuse. Hmmm...don't quite recall coming across anyone with knee fusion here (mainly back/neck).

Aerial

>> don't quite recall coming across anyone with knee fusion here (mainly back/neck).

nope, I have never heard of any AS patient fusing their knee. I can assure you that such a thing is not normal ! .. Although I think in some severe cases there is fusion in the hips and shoulders.

I only ever get pain in peripheral areas (hands, wrists, feet, eyes and knees) after eating wheat. Oats may be a problem too, but I am not certain on that one.

After eating wheat I typically get pain in my wrists or the knuckles of my hands. This occurs (almost without fail) about 24 to 48 hours after eating it.

cheers,
z

"Unmarried men commit ninety percent of all violent acts. They should all be jailed in advance to prevent further atrocities." -- Dogbert

Hi, Adam,

I agree with everyone else that you should also post this in the main forum.

My rheumy told me that any joint is susceptible to AS. The worse the AS is the worse the extent of fusion. And no two ASers are the same. Some NEVER have SI pain but have back pain and vice-versa.

I agree with Stevec that what used to pop and crack for me is now fused or on it's way.

Good luck and welcome to KickAS....this place is full of advice, help and support!! It is the greatest place on the web for AS support!!

Holly

Hi Adam,

I also wonder if the cracking noises are AS related or not. My knees make pretty nasty sounds, grosses me out, and the people around me. I'm hoping its not cartilage breakdown, but who knows. I made a similar post in the main forum a while ago, seems like no one knows for sure what the noises are from, perhaps because there could be a variety of causes? Good luck,

Em

In my experience, the cracking i have in my knee has to do with my kneecap not tracking right due to the loosening of the cartilage. My rheumy said that that should have been the first sign of my disease and that i had needless knee surgery back in 1998. It made him angry that my doctor then didn't wake up to what was going on. Now my knee is back to where it was prior to surgery if not a little bit worse. According to him, my other joints being affected is definitely part of the as (i have problems in my ankles, knees, shoulders and sometimes wrists).

tela

I think the noise is called Crepitis, and I have this loud noise in both knees most of the time. I don't always have knee pain but when I do, find it difficult to go up stairs. Certain exercises at the gym are a no-go now, like leg presses for instance, or any type of deep knee lunges and such.

I did a search on Crepitis and found this on the web. Rather interesting I would say...

http://www.cornerstonehealthservices.com/osteoarthritis.html