Housemaids Knee

**melco** · 05-01-2013, 04:01 PM

Hi,

I have recently found out I have Housemaids Knee. I have been suffering from Knee pain for the last 2 years but not enough to worry about it, when I started Childminding in February it started to get worse and was thinking about going to the Doctors and then a at the end of November I fell over and fell really hard on both knees, it was very swollen and I was having problems walking so in the end I went to the doctors and then when she explained what I have.

She told me to rest but obviously with my job I couldn't, I felt bad as I could not get on the floor with the children and had to change nappies from sitting on the sofa. I have had 2 weeks off over Christmas so tried to rest it as much as possible but still in a lot pain and it does not seem to be getting any better. I need to go back in a couple of weeks and they may look into giving me steroid injections.

My worry is that if it does not get better I am not going to be able to carry on Childminding. Has anyone else experienced this? Me and my husband are worried that childminding has been working out so well for us that I could end up having to give it up because of this. Any advice?

Thanks

melco

**blue bear** · 05-01-2013, 04:35 PM

Could you fit a changing table in somewhere so you can change lo's standing up.

What about a big bean bag, could you get down on theat so you are on the floor with them but not right on the floor.

Not had it myself so no help there, but the beauty of minding is you can usually adapt your working practise to cope with most things.

**sarah707** · 05-01-2013, 05:44 PM

I can't kneel like I used to - my knees start to ache - so I change nappies on a big mat on the sofa and use cushions and a bean bag when sitting with the children on the floor.

You need to find ways to work round it... hopefully the steroid injections will help

**mrs robbie williams** · 06-01-2013, 06:48 AM

I have a wooden changing station in the playroom bought it off gum tree couple of years ago it's great and saves my poor back and knees

**jadavi** · 06-01-2013, 08:08 AM

High changing tables are frowned upon I believe? For health and safety reasons. My Ofsted inspector commented that she was pleased to see I was doing it on the floor. Just passing it on....

**miss mopple** · 06-01-2013, 09:11 AM

I have cartilage damage on both my knees and have had for a while now. I can't get on the floor at all now. If we do stories etc we do it on the sofa, same with nappy changing. I can't run a lot or jump etc, which can be a pain if playing outside or dancing, but I work round it. The doctor won't do anything about mine as says I am young enough for it to heal naturally but I'm not convinced. There are ways round it, you just have to find a solution that works for you

**melco** · 06-01-2013, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by miss mopple

I have cartilage damage on both my knees and have had for a while now. I can't get on the floor at all now. If we do stories etc we do it on the sofa, same with nappy changing. I can't run a lot or jump etc, which can be a pain if playing outside or dancing, but I work round it. The doctor won't do anything about mine as says I am young enough for it to heal naturally but I'm not convinced. There are ways round it, you just have to find a solution that works for you

How young is too young? If you don't mine me asking

**Daisy De** · 06-01-2013, 02:54 PM

I have a high changing table, Ofsted didn't say a word about it even when I changed a lo when she was here. Just shows the inconsistency of Ofsted Inspectors lol.

**Lilylulu** · 06-01-2013, 11:09 PM

I have a poorly knee too! Going for a scan at then end of this month, but its likely going to need keyhole surgery. I had an appointment with a specialist physio in a musculoskeletal clinic. I have been passed around a bit and had to go back to my GP before getting this referral. I would badger them for a referral if it continues. The specialist physio was fab, and gave me a likely diagnosis of a torn cartilage and a 'foreign body' which is possibly a bit of broken off cartilage or bone that really aggravates the joint. She told me the potential treatment immediately and booked the MRI. In the meantime, I am continuing as I have for the past few months, I have a little chair for getting down to child's level rather than on my knees. I change nappies on a bed with a large plastic cover over (work in a bungalow) and sit down a bit more than I did during the day. I find Ibuprofen gel really helps with soreness and keep swelling and stiffness down. Dont write yourself off until you have had it investigated properly. Next steps for several children this week...independently putting on shoes! haha

Take care of your back tho' it's very easy to risk back injury when you are protecting a bad knee xx