Please Educate Me Regarding Knee Pain?

My right knee was causing me some discomfort a few days ago. Outside edge of the knee cap went away after 6-8 hours or else I became accustomed to it and stopped noticing it. Fast-forward to today and I got down on both knees to do something. Put the left one down first and as soon as the right one was down taking weight there was a noticeable pain in the same area. After about 30 seconds I decided to stand up due to the discomfort. The pain immediately diminished to a discomfort rather than a sharp pain. After about 45 minutes I forgot about the discomfort or adjusted to it so that I didn't notice. A couple of hours later the discomfort is back or I'm becoming more aware of it. Haven't had any "Oh crap" moments where I twisted it or felt like I damaged it, so any unprofessional (or professional if qualified) diagnoses? If it keeps up I'll go see my MD, but just wondering what it could be.

Here's what I can tell you as someone who cannot work because of a knee injury: Go get it looked at.

it hurts

Go see a doctor - they might have to refer you to a specialist, but get it looked at.

In my case, I've got fairly similar symptoms and have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis. Not much I can do about that, but at least I have some pills to make things a bit better when it's really bad.

have it checked....

in my case, I kneeled and couldn't stand back up or straighten my leg.... meniscus - small cartlidge that is under knee cap

get it checked out soon if you did damage something slightly you could really mess it up easily if you dont get it checked out

I will tell you this about knee injuries: If they tell you that you need surgery, spend a lot of time in physio before you even consider it. Surgery should be the absolute last resort. This includes arthroscopy.

what Zomby said … even my Dr has suggested that I wait as long as I can before we cut on my knees again … there are advances in artificial cartilage coming almost every day

I've been living with a partially torn meniscus for a couple years now. Driving is hell on it. And walking. And sitting at the desk. And sometimes laying in bed. It sucks.

I feel your pain … so to speak …

arthroscopy on both in '98 … either they didn't get enough "good" cartilage when they were cleaning up the frayed edges or I went back to running to soon .. there's a tiny tear in the the left one and lots of arthritis in the right one … yeah .. walking, sleeping

Zomby Woof wrote: I will tell you this about knee injuries: If they tell you that you need surgery, spend a lot of time in physio before you even consider it. Surgery should be the absolute last resort. This includes arthroscopy.

QTF.

I had a knee lock up on my for a few days. I had an MRI and the dr goes.. "I don't see anything but I still thing you need surgery.." Yupp.. Go pound sand.

Every couple years, I need to go see a PT again for some help, but I've been able to run bike etc in between. Finding a good sports med doctor is key, so many cut happy quacks out there.

Get it checked out.

I have issues with my right knee from a water skiing incident years ago. Had it checked by an orthopedic surgeon. Nothing he could do, told me to just walk on it. When it throbs, this helps: http://www.gaiaherbs.com/products/detail/761/Turmeric-Supreme-Joint

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Zomby Woof wrote: I will tell you this about knee injuries: If they tell you that you need surgery, spend a lot of time in physio before you even consider it. Surgery should be the absolute last resort. This includes arthroscopy.

QTF. I had a knee lock up on my for a few days. I had an MRI and the dr goes.. "I don't see anything but I still thing you need surgery.." Yupp.. Go pound sand. Every couple years, I need to go see a PT again for some help, but I've been able to run bike etc in between. Finding a good sports med doctor is key, so many cut happy quacks out there.

My doctor told me surgery is the last resort. He said he'd rather give me cortisone shots every six months for years before he would want to do surgery. I never had the shot, I just back it down when I feel I'm pushing too much. But the lack of physical activity is showing in other areas

You said educate, correct? This is from the deep end of the pool for physical medicine. non-surgical knee pain treatment
I use a lot of Gray Cook's techniques and analysis on my patients. After you watch this video, its pretty easy to surf youtube and see each of the individual tests and some of the treatments. From there, its your choice on which practitioner gets your $$.

nicksta43 wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Zomby Woof wrote: I will tell you this about knee injuries: If they tell you that you need surgery, spend a lot of time in physio before you even consider it. Surgery should be the absolute last resort. This includes arthroscopy.

QTF. I had a knee lock up on my for a few days. I had an MRI and the dr goes.. "I don't see anything but I still thing you need surgery.." Yupp.. Go pound sand. Every couple years, I need to go see a PT again for some help, but I've been able to run bike etc in between. Finding a good sports med doctor is key, so many cut happy quacks out there.

My doctor told me surgery is the last resort. He said he'd rather give me cortisone shots every six months for years before he would want to do surgery. I never had the shot, I just back it down when I feel I'm pushing too much. But the lack of physical activity is showing in other areas

I found the PT exercises were key for me to return to activity. Find a good PT and follow their advice.. Good PT's should be recommended by a good Sports med guy. You want someone who rehabs athletes not just grandma's that broke a tibia during a fall.

I have an issue with my right knee. Had 2 MRI's done over the last few years and the doc couldn't see anything wrong. PT and a cortisone shot once every year or so and it's much better. Not perfect, but better.

I know this. I had my knee explode at work once. Part time was a cute blonde that went all Florence Nightengale on me. That worked out rather well in my favor for about... a year. Then she found another more lost cause.

I'd start w/ extra rest, skip the OT, non-essential projects and any heavy work. Elevate leg during breaks during the day and make time at the end of the day. Ice may help also, don't apply directly tho. Two days off per week w/ ample rest can make a big difference. Have a doc check it out if pains persist, check ligaments, get opinion and referral to ortho or PT if necessary. Agreed, PT is next option. Whenever I feel that wonky knee feeling coming on, simple calve and hamstring stretches usually work. Plenty of other exercises for that also and most can be done at home.

just a quick non-diagnostic based treatment option, 99% of the time rehab for the knee? strength the anterior thigh muscles (quads) via leg extensions.

I was told at the tender age of 17 that I would require knee surgery by the time I was 25 due to a gocart wreck. I'm 47 now and still haven't had it done. They snap crackle and pop a fair amount, but don't usually hurt. Do the PT and strengthen the leg muscles around your knee. I do something stupid every couple of years that lays me up for a few days, but a little light exercise and a good knee brace does wonders. Doctors are a little too quick to recommend the knife for me.

On the flip side, every person I know who had a knee replaced in the last few years has wished they had done it sooner.

If it is really bad, why suffer now when you are otherwise able to do the things you enjoy only to finally fix the knees when nothing else is working anymore?

See an MD.

Patellofemoral pain. With the knee flexed, the joint is in it's tight packed position and the compression is causing pain. Try taping your knee (google "McConnell taping) - don't need any special tape - masking tape will do. And stretch your quadriceps and ilitibial band. Your patella probably isn't tracking correctly.

Well, either that or you have a bursitis - wear knee pads if you are going to kneel.

Foot, ankle and back problems, i.e. walking crooked can add to knee issues also. I think of it as if your alignment is off something's gonna wear. If you subscribe to them a good chiropractor can help get you straightened out.

My knee issues started w/ heel spur and arch problems and working too many hours on concrete floors. Once I found the right work shoes and arch supports most of my recurring knee pain was gone. I still need a chiro after working about three weeks on w/o a couple days off. I have a head to toe tune up at the chiro about once a month.

I tore the ACL in my left knee several years ago, still have not had it 'fixed' at age 56. I keep as active as possible, it rarely twinges any more. Glucosamine is said to help with knee pain. I've never personally used it, but a couple of my dirt biking buddies did and said it works.

http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/gait/qa.htm

To the OP; Your knees could be starting to deteriorate a little. If the pain lingers longer, you should get a knee compression sleeve for extra support. I have knee discomfort and knee pain yet I'm only 28 and I only strained my knee once. I would have a doctor check it too just to find out what they see and to get good shoes (maybe good inserts too) if your shoes aren't all that good.