Hi. Just as things were starting to improve i.e I was starting to find walking slightly easier I now have a problem with the knee on my affected side. It has been giving way for a couple of weeks but now cannot seem to take any weight on it. It’s painful when I try and just buckles under me. Now being pushed around the house by my wonderful husband. I have been discharged by the stroke team but wondering whether to contact them although I have no idea whether its stroke related. Has anyone else had this problem?
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It might be worth looking at a rollator. It was a great help in many ways as I took my first steps.
Here’s a picture.
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Thanks Bobbi but Im hoping I dont have to do that. Was walking quite well round the house and a rollator seems a backward step but if necessary I will have to get one. Hope you are ok Janet
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Hi, I haven’t had this problem personally but think it would be wise to get your knee checked out by your gp, as this might not be stroke related, I have 2 friends who have ongoing knee problems and who haven’t suffered a stroke.
Good luck, hope you get this sorted soon and you get back on your road to recovery.
Regards Sue
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@Susan_Jane. Thanks for that. I did speak to the physio at the surgery today who after asking a lot of questions prescribed cocodamol! Not impressed but will try it and if no better ring GP
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Definitely not impressed, medication will just mask the problem.
Good luck with GP.
Regards Sue
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@Apple after a stroke we sometimes walk a bit funny…i.e. with a poor gait. I wonder if this has caused an issue with your knee.
I think it would have been better if the physio at the surgery had offered to see you rather than prescribe pain killers. If they don’t work i wouldn’t leave it too long to get back in touch.
If things don’t improve a rollator might be a good interim option…better than falling again.
Hope you are soon back to your walking
Take care
Ann xx
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To be honest if that’s all the hospital physio can do for you, you would be better off going to a sports physio or Osteopath. It will most likely take them a session or two to sort it out for you, because it could also be coming from the hip. If you can afford it go that route because your muscles and joints are out of alignment with your good side take the strain of your stroke side. So it may just need some massage and manipulation. I you do go down that route, pay attention to what they do and how they work the muscles. That way you’ll be able to do some it yourself too.
At the same time also see your GP, they’ll likely refer you to Orthopaedics and/or physio anyway. And we all know how long an appointment for that will take to come through 
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@It was the physio at the surgery who I spoke too and yes she was useless! Will contact GP tomorrow or possibly the Stroke unit at the hospital as when they finished physio they did say I could contact them if there were any problems. The trouble with physios is that the stroke physio said I would need a neuro physio and there aren’t any round here
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I am sorry you feel you are taking steps backward. So frustrating. I often feel that way as well. I don’t like it either. This may or may not pertain to you. I am assuming nothing…I lose my ‘bad’ leg as well, but perhaps for a different reason, as you have described your issue in a way I would not. l have constant tingling, burning, but cold sensation on my entire left side constantly. It is more like ringing ears, not very painful, but extremely annoying and keeps me from sleeping well. I will lose my leg at times but usually don’t know why. Generally I will get warning as I start tremoring before it is totally gone. Because of this, depending upon the activity, I will either use the rollator or cane. I don’t need them in the house most of the time, unless I have overdone it and become too tired. If I were going to a busy place I am unfamiliar with, the rollator is the best choice, due to the likelihood of overwhelm and anxiety. The cane works where there are shopping cart nearby or with my very large family or a large gathering of friends, where anxiety is not the problem, but noise and movement of others confuse my brain so it is precautionary. But not everything is related to strokes, even after you have had one. Trust your gut. I believe you will know when you get to the right answer.
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After my stroke I was able to walk with no problems and had 2 holidays in which I did a lot of walking ,now 6 months later my knee has decided it prefers to be in a bent position !
I’ve had physio and use a exercise band to try and strengthen the muscle in my calf but it’s not making a lot of difference,I now walk with a bit of a limp ,it’s not a problem but is tiring.cest la vie I guess.
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Thanks Yellowdog. Just back from hospital and xray. Apparently it’s degenerative arthritis and not much they can do except knee replacement.
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Yes, I had it a lot in the early days. I suggest you get your gp to refer you for more physio. In time, the knee improved. I then had a tendency to lock my knee. I am seven years post strooke, but managed to get more physio this year to iprove my walking.
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@Apple poor you. Just what you wanted to hear…not. at least you know the cause I guess. Are they going to put you on list for knee replacement?
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Must admit I’m not a happy bunny. Imagine I will go on the waiting list but as the wait is about 2 years I’m not getting over excited! Also have heard varying reports on knee replacements I’m not sure about it all
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Everything’s a long wait these days which doesn’t help when you are suffering. Hopefully you can have some physio / or injections in the meantime. Sending hugs xx
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Thanks Ann. Got Drs appt Fri so will see what she says. Will let you know. X Janet
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My brother-in-law was an orthopaedic specialist, he said he only ever recommended if absolutely necessary. It’s just that they are not as good as hip replacements. We have an aunt who’s had both done and she’s regretting it now. BUT she’s a good age, over weight and gets absolutely no exercise. She probably did do the physio for a few weeks but she paid more lip service to it.
Artificial joints will fail from the start if you don’t keep up with physio. And you have to continue with regular daily exercise for at least year to build up the muscle around it to give it enough strength to carry you all day long.
Hi Emerald. Thanks for your help. No a new knee would be a last resort as I know they are not always successful and also are very painful. On the other hand I know people who have found the surgery a life saver so it’s all a bit of a lottery. At the moment my knee seems to have settled down a bit and isn’t too bad although that may be due to the prescribed co-codomol I am taking. Anyway time will tell and I’m walking around the house with my stick and later will try walking up the stairs. Once again so grateful for all your help. Best wishes Janet
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Just remember that some of that pain will be from lack of use post stroke, muscle deterioration. As the muscle tone builds and strengthens it will reduce some of the pain and discomfort for you, so the more the merrier 
And I’m only speaking from my own experiences with osteoarthritis. I managed to stave off hip replacement until my hip joint started locking up every time after being sat down, I just couldn’t straighten out my leg. I did figure out a way to get it straightened but it was getting a damn nuisance more than anything.
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