Arthritis & Figure skating

Went to skate with my club today but could barely stand to be in my skates long enough to PA during CanSkate. I broke both feet 6 months apart in 2016 and now feel arthritis on the bottom of both feet. If I don't use Advil before I skate on a day when there is a hugh change in weather, I am in dire pain. I just couldn't skate on my session because of the pain.

Have you talked to doctor about it?

Be careful about the Advil (ibuprofen); I was taking it regularly because of skating related pain, but now think I have an ulcer from it (waiting for Dr confirmation). You could try using something topical, like lidocaine lotion (I use it on my painful bunion).

Definitely talk to a doctor about this, and perhaps also to a podiatrist. I'm not sure, for example, if a special insole might help lessen pressure, therefore pain, but it's worth seeing the docs for the conversation.

Are you wearing the same skates that you had pre-injury? I am wondering if the skates need some adjusting to help accommodate your feet, which may have changed after the injury.

In addition to seeing a doctor (possibly a podiatrist or chiropodist) to see what they can do for you, you may want to check the skates.

Post injury, my old skates were killing me and I had to get new skates with custom orthotics built in. It made all the difference for me.

Did you see a doctor or specialist about your broken feet and/or your current arthritis and pain? They might suggest physical therapy. It could be that avoidance of movement due to pain could worsen the stiffness and pain (ironically).

My own story: not too long ago, I had lower back pain develop over several weeks, and I limited my activities (including skating) only to have the pain worsen when I tried to resume my activities. When I finally saw an orthopedist who referred me to physical therapy, I was shocked to learn that it was because my core and back muscles had weakened from having not moved much. What PT did was to get me moving to regain my core and back strength.

I can relate to the trauma of broken feet, because I've had my fair share of broken feet, the latest being summer of last year. I did not do PT then, but knowing what I know now, I wish I had. If you had been sedentary while waiting for your broken foot to recover, like I was, then I would recommend you consider PT.

Bumping this up. I skated a lot when in 2003-2005 - basic skating and achieved all the intro level learn to skate badges- it's been so long that I forgot whether it was 4 levels or more. Anyway, life got in the way and I would like to skate again with an eye toward taking lessons and competing in adult level skating. I have osteoarthritis in both knees and my right ankle. For my knees I have half my cartilage left and the doctor advised me to stop doing weighted squats and high impact exercise. My physical therapist thinks its okay for me to do squats as long as I use proper form. I exercise regularly and lift weights. I'd like to start skating again to work on my posture and balance (I have femoral anteversion as well, my left hip rotates in and the left side is weaker than the other). Skating helped a lot with foot strength and balance.

I am interested in other people's experiences with skating with osteoarthritis and other knee conditions. I am 43 years old.

It doesn’t sound like your doctor would allow you to jump, since that’s probably one of the more high impact exercises anyone does... Because of that, competing in freestyle could be out. What do your doctors think about bending and rising out of the knee skating on one leg? If that’s ok, you could consider testing moves in the field or doing ice dance.

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my landing knee (actually both knees but the landing knee was the most painful) at 27 years old. My doctor said I could continue skating but I had to stop jumping, which halted all goals of getting an axel and double jumps. So I talked with my coach and we switched my tracks from freestyle to ice dance, while still doing adult and standard MITF and spins. In those two years I passed preliminary, pre-bronze, and two of three bronze dances and started pre-silvers. Shockingly I found I love ice dance more than freestyle, and I have a better knack for it because I love doing edge work.

But with osteoarthritis, my doctor told me to lose weight (I was/am overweight still, but working on that, with about 30 pounds to go) and work on strengthening my knees, and don't jump.

jf12 said:

It doesn’t sound like your doctor would allow you to jump, since that’s probably one of the more high impact exercises anyone does... Because of that, competing in freestyle could be out. What do your doctors think about bending and rising out of the knee skating on one leg? If that’s ok, you could consider testing moves in the field or doing ice dance.

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My doctor is very conservative. He advised against squatting as well. The physical therapist believes that it is important to squat as long as there is proper form. I've skated before and didn't think the knee bend was as extreme as going below parallel. It's been a very frustrating and sad thing to deal with this diagnosis. I still do some high impact moves. I cut out a lot of the more energetic cardio classes that I used to do and I'm now struggling with some weight gain that is putting more stress on the knees. I used to be a swimmer but my legs were really weak. I only got stronger and leaner when I did weights with high impact cardio.

There seems to be mixed research out there with osteoarthritis and high impact. Some studies say that impact helps the knees.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28035445

My doctor has my knees as a 5 out of 10 in terms of severity. I have been in physical therapy and hopefully I can return to PT. I'm looking for exercise that I can do that will strengthen my hips because the knees are damaged because of my uneven gait. It's been frustrating because I am active but the weight is creeping on me and I can't increase my activity in a way to offset it. I lift weights 5-6 days per week and swim for 20 minutes 2-3 times a week and 1-2 cycling classes.

soogar said:

My doctor is very conservative. He advised against squatting as well. The physical therapist believes that it is important to squat as long as there is proper form. I've skated before and didn't think the knee bend was as extreme as going below parallel. It's been a very frustrating and sad thing to deal with this diagnosis. I still do some high impact moves. I cut out a lot of the more energetic cardio classes that I used to do and I'm now struggling with some weight gain that is putting more stress on the knees. I used to be a swimmer but my legs were really weak. I only got stronger and leaner when I did weights with high impact cardio.

There seems to be mixed research out there with osteoarthritis and high impact. Some studies say that impact helps the knees.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28035445

My doctor has my knees as a 5 out of 10 in terms of severity. I have been in physical therapy and hopefully I can return to PT. I'm looking for exercise that I can do that will strengthen my hips because the knees are damaged because of my uneven gait. It's been frustrating because I am active but the weight is creeping on me and I can't increase my activity in a way to offset it. I lift weights 5-6 days per week and swim for 20 minutes 2-3 times a week and 1-2 cycling classes.

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Soogar - are you seeing a Sports Medicine doctor? If this is just a regular orthopedic doctor, I would suggest going to a Sports Medicine clinic with a team of orthopaedists and sports medicine specialists. I do find that the regular doctors are very conservative in terms of limiting your activity. However, sports medicine doctors are interested in getting you back out there safely and may have more experience with active individuals involved in lots of sports.

After my injury I made sure to get linked in with a sports medicine clinic. They were able to get me going again, although like you I cannot handle high impact on my knee (no more running). I struggled with finding something to replace running to keep the weight off but resigned myself to getting more into cycling (stationary). I sort of sulked for a bit before doing it though, so I did put on a lot of weight which is a strain on the knee -
I'll need to really focus on reducing that. I did a lot of stationary bike as part of my recovery and physical therapy, but in addition to swimming (which I can't really do b/c of a shoulder injury but it is GREAT aerobic exercise without the impact), that was the one exercise they said would be beneficial for my knee and minimize impact. My New Year's resolution is to do a bit of stationary cycling every day and then try to get more road bike time in once the spring comes. Maybe that could work for you if you increase your spin classes and/or stationary bike time? I like the hill climbs - I find those really help strengthen my legs. I would definitely check with a doctor though because every injury and arthritis situation is different.

SmallAminal said:

Soogar - are you seeing a Sports Medicine doctor? If this is just a regular orthopedic doctor, I would suggest going to a Sports Medicine clinic with a team of orthopaedists and sports medicine specialists. I do find that the regular doctors are very conservative in terms of limiting your activity. However, sports medicine doctors are interested in getting you back out there safely and may have more experience with active individuals involved in lots of sports.

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Unfortunately I'm on an exchange insurance plan which most sports medicine doctors and specialists will not take. My primary care doctor advised that I look into PRP (platelet rich Plasma therapy) for my knee. He sounds confident that insurance will cover it.

Spin classes, particularly climbs aggravate my hip. I keep them at one to two a week. Swimming is good cardio but I don't swim with the intensity that really makes a difference. I've been working with a coach to refine my technique so I can swim faster with more power. I can do tons of laps but I don't kick with power.

Has anyone tried PRP? It seems that there are mixed results with it in terms of cartilage regrowth. Meanwhile I've been watching my diet and taking tons of supplements and collagen.

I think an adult skater at my rink is doing PRP, but I am unsure of how well it's working for her. :-/ Next time I see her I will ask!

davincisoprano said:

I think an adult skater at my rink is doing PRP, but I am unsure of how well it's working for her. :-/ Next time I see her I will ask!

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Thanks so much!