By Helen on Sunday, June 04, 2000 - 12:37 pm:

I have eds and at the moment my back is the worst affected. I have lost all reflexes and muscle wastage in my left leg. But what is worrying me is the fact that on
three occassions my leg has given out completely and I have fallen over [and I wasn't drunk!!!] Has anyone else had this happened.? Does anyone know why? How
can I improve things? Help!!!
I would appreciate and help no matter how small. Thank you!

Good luck everyone!

Helen X

By Gwen on Sunday, June 04, 2000 - 12:38 pm:

From what you say, I wonder if your sciatic nerve is being compressed. I had an undiagnosed disc rupture, which wasn't treated for two years (because my HMS
negated the "usual" symptoms) and consequently have a lot of scar tissue around my spinal cord/sciatic nerves. I oftern find my leg feels weak, as if it belongs to
someone else almost, and I have a tendency to drag my foot slightly when this happens. I also wake at night to find my (usually) left leg has gone completely numb
and definitely not because I've been lying on it I also get days when I feel as if I am wearing lead boots and trying to walk through treacle. Weird description I know
but the only way I can put it.

By Gwill on Sunday, June 04, 2000 - 12:38 pm:

This is something I have experienced more times than I care to remember! My knee /patella dislocated over 20+ times needing hospital treatment to "put it back".
Eventually I had surgery to both knees, to stop this from happening.

Occaisionally the knee slips now, but can no longer dislocate. This was called a Goldthwaite
section or procedure.I had this surgery in 1981/1982 and it is still effective. I am currently having difficulties with my thumb joints on both hands and YES they are
very bendy!

Knee braces can help but are not comfortable and can not be relied on. The surgery leaves awful scarring, I suspect that arthritis has occurred,
But I have needed less hospital treatment during my mid thirties to forties than I did during my mid twenties to thirties.

Hope this helps
Gyll

By Sue C on Sunday, June 04, 2000 - 12:39 pm:

Please tell me more about this procedure! either thru the forum or e-mail!

I'm tired of my knees and need to do something. I've played around with annoying knee braces for 10 years. I've never had a doctor "reduce" a dislocation, and I
estimate that knee cap has had several hundred dislocations in the past 20 years. (I'm 30.)

Just in the past month I found an orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist who I would trust, so I feel ready!

By Gyll on Sunday, June 04, 2000 - 12:39 pm:

Feel free to email, I'm not sure how that happens on this B/B. Although the surgery I had certainly helped, I have not been pain or problem free, but then there are
rarely any easy answers to anything.
Gyll

By J. Dennis on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 02:22 pm:

This happpens on a weekly basis to my 18 year old daughter she has learned to put in back into place by herself the docs dont seem to know how to help and the bracing the tried hasnt helped either

By Lin on Saturday, December 09, 2000 - 12:12 pm:

i have chondromalacia patella and both my knee caps always slide out, they usualy click back into place though, but its still very painful. when it got so bad i went to the ER and was finaly diagnosed, i wore a soft foam brace with the open patella design. i also limped around for a couple weeks, never completely straigning my left knee (by far the worst one) and was put on strong anti inflammatories and pain relievers. i am now in physical therapy to strengthen the muscles to stabalize my knees, but it isnt helping, my legs are already strong. my physical therapist wants more sessions a week, but my mom is going to refuse, she is too busy. my pt is also going to start taping my knees during therapy to keep my knee cap from sliding. i am both asking for opinions, suggestions, and giving out some for what worked for me. i would never consider prolotherapy or surgery, i am 15. i am aslo very active, and wont stop.
lin

By Joseph Renken on Monday, June 18, 2001 - 02:33 pm:

I am having problems keeping my hips from dislocating. I have learned to place them back myself without going to the doctor. I 27 and I spent most of my childhood "showing off" my range of motion by placing both of my legs behind my head. My physical therapy clinic was shocked the first time that he saw me. He called the 3 other members of his staff and said to the effect of "look at gumby". They kept looking at my shoulder blades inparticular. Not to mention my hips of course.