HELP! My knees hurt! Have a new job! What to do??

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Hello everyone!

I am a new grad. who has a part time RN job. I do not get to sit much and I am on my feet most of the day. I just started this job. Well, by the middle of the week, my knees started hurting. I went to the gym with my husband (I used to walk the treadmill and do the machines and so forth, but since my knees were a bit sore, I just swam in the pool). Well ever since then, my knees have been hurting. Both knees, but mostly my left knee.

I wear pretty good nursing type sneakers (not clogs). Will this go away you think once I keep working?? Will my knees just get used to it?? Once I lay down and get off of them for a few hours, they are ok.... but get me walking and working and they HURT. AAAHHHHH! I see my doctor tomorrow.

Help! I am just starting my career and LOVE nursing. I HOPE THIS IS NOT THE END! :bluecry1: I have NEVER had knee problems before!!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Try Z-Coil shoes.

http://www.zcoil.com

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Wow I'm sorry for your pain my BF has the same issues from standing on his feet too much and walking and exercising...I can recommend applying heat to your knees (maybe buy a heating pad) and just dont exercise too much...also going to the doc is a waste of time because all he/she will do is prescribe all those terrible meds like aspirin or tylenol or NSAIDs which in the long run damage your kidney,sorry to burs the bubble but I have seen the effect in the people I know!!!Best of look look for alternative medicine cures like herbs,compresses.

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Just my two cents, but a (good) chiropractor would be better than a physician...better shoes might be a good first choice.

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Thanks! I was wondering if there were exercises to do to strengthen the muscles, tendons around the knee. I wonder if that would help, or perhaps it may irritate it more. Hmmmm..... I just don't know.

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There are actual exercises to strengthen the knee area - specific to specific muscles...I had A&P last term with a Chiropractor for an instructor...I loved his view on things...he said he would be considered an "outcast" since he didn't consider medication taboo, but if you could treat things holistically, then why not? He explained that once you damage the knee area then you tend to not use it in the same way (or at all), so the muscle begins to atrophy which in turn causes more pain.

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Specializes in Med/Surg; aged care; OH&S.

Well you might want to talk to your doctor about getting a scan to see what the problem is, then see a physio for some exercises.

Chronic knee pain in women is very common, particularly if you are getting older, are carrying a bit more weight than usual and/or are on your feet all day. I find if I haven't been exercising for a while, then get back into it, I might feel it in my knees for a couple of weeks then they're fine, but a medical assessment is always a good idea if this isn't normal for you.

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Not to disagree with the first post!!! But in my expeirence 7yrs walking a beat. Ice is the key. Being on your feet all day is causing some internal swelling in your knee's Ice will redue the swelling. Get two big refreezeable Ice packs. When you get home wrap your knees with the Ice packs and ace bandages. Go about your regular routine until they are no longer cold. Continue to exercise try things that are lower impact on your knees. Exercise bike elliptical etc. Swimming is also very good. Good luck:coollook:

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Specializes in MICU for 4 years, now PICU for 3 years!.

I would say, change your shoes! I have found that wearing "nursing" shoes, I could hardly walk after about 8 hours on the floor... I wear both Dansko's, which I love, and Nike Shox... My feet and legs hardly hurt when I get home! Good shoes are the key to happy feet and legs :) You may have to try a few types of shoes to see what works for you! Good luck!

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Well you might want to talk to your doctor about getting a scan to see what the problem is, then see a physio for some exercises.

Chronic knee pain in women is very common, particularly if you are getting older, are carrying a bit more weight than usual and/or are on your feet all day. I find if I haven't been exercising for a while, then get back into it, I might feel it in my knees for a couple of weeks then they're fine, but a medical assessment is always a good idea if this isn't normal for you.

I tend to disagree with some of your comments.Although I agree that she should get a scan I also believe that going for an advice to the doctor is a waste of time since usually what the doc will recommend is the pain killers,rest and maybe surgery in an advanced stage...also like someone else said before me chiropractor is a better choice or physical therapist..also I think joint pain is more common in men due to overuse of the knees and the the cartilage wears off and also your bones strenght peak at the ago of 30 so I dont think the op is in advanced age:))))Also OP dont forget to drink milk since your bones goes down after the age of 30!:)

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Not to disagree with the first post!!! But in my expeirence 7yrs walking a beat. Ice is the key. Being on your feet all day is causing some internal swelling in your knee's Ice will redue the swelling. Get two big refreezeable Ice packs. When you get home wrap your knees with the Ice packs and ace bandages. Go about your regular routine until they are no longer cold. Continue to exercise try things that are lower impact on your knees. Exercise bike elliptical etc. Swimming is also very good. Good luck:coollook:

It is fine,we all are entitled to out opinions and learn from sharing our knowledge,experiences and expertise so keep it coming,it is good to alternate cold-and heat therapy but like they say the sun and warmth heals!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg; aged care; OH&S.
I tend to disagree with some of your comments.Although I agree that she should get a scan I also believe that going for an advice to the doctor is a waste of time since usually what the doc will recommend is the pain killers,rest and maybe surgery in an advanced stage...also like someone else said before me chiropractor is a better choice or physical therapist..also I think joint pain is more common in men due to overuse of the knees and the the cartilage wears off and also your bones peek at the ago of 30 so I dont think the op is in advanced age:))))Also OP dont forget to drink milk since your bones goes down after the age of 30!:)

I wasn't suggesting the OP was older or overweight, I was giving information. I also advised a physiotherapist if you read my original message - in Australia you need to get a referral from a doctor to go to a physio which is why I suggested the doctor. From the information I've read, knee pain is common in most people after 40, however women tend to have more issues with their knees.

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