For a friend - knee problems from scoliosis?

[JenniferG]

I have a regular pen-pal relationship with a woman in England who's coming up for first time fusion surgery later this year.

Her curves are around the 50 degree mark and until now she's had very little pain. She rides horses and is very fit. But suddenly, she started having joint soreness, most particularly in the knees. She's had blood tests which have shown nothing wrong. But she's been told by her doctor (GP) that it's caused by the scoliosis. I've never heard of this before.

Has anyone on this forum had this problem or know anything about it.

[Jimbo]

I would say it is more likely to be caused by osteoarthritis. I suppose if her hips and legs were off balance it could increase joint degeneration in the knee. The good thing is surgeons are quite successful at treating knee problems. :)

[debbei]

Hi Jen,

Every case is different, and maybe your friend should go see an orthopedic Dr.; however, I wouldn't be surprised if the scoliosis has something to do with it. Before my surgery I had pain in my right hip occasionally that now looking back, I think had to do with my scoliosis. If the body is unbalanced, all kinds of aches and pains can appear.

[LindaRacine]

It seems to me that if she's having trouble in both knees, it wouldn't have any relationship to scoliosis. Even if it does, there's really no value in knowing what is causing something, unless that thing can be fixed.

--Linda

[JenniferG]

Thanks, I appreciate your replies. I will pass them on to my friend. She's scheduled to see her scoli. specialist in a couple of months, who should be able to shed some light on her problem.

[asccbodypro]

Jennifer,

I periodically have issues with my knees and I have an ankle that pronates quite a bit. These problems are usually the bodies way of over compensating for the curvature in the back.....at least this is what I have been told by my chiropractor. Since I had my surgery I have one knee that feels great and one that has been popping a lot but it doesn't hurt. Good luck to your friend!

[JenniferG]

Thanks Susan. Hopefully the surgery will fix it, but at least the blood tests say it's not osteoarthritis, which is a good thing.

[loves to skate]

Thanks Susan. Hopefully the surgery will fix it, but at least the blood tests say it's not osteoarthritis, which is a good thing.

Jennifer,
To my knowledge, as a retired Medical Technologist, there is no blood test for osteoarthritis. There is one however, for Rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis shows up in x-rays.

Sally

[JenniferG]

That's right of course! I was thinking Rheumatoid but for some reason typed Osteo. She hasn't had xrays on her knees so perhaps it is Osteo, afterall. Thanks Sally.