Need Troubles advice (knee problem)

[luisfigo_benfic]

ok so im having problems with my left knee... it started about 2 months ago doing lunges so i thought id take it easy for a while. but yesterday i was doing leg press at 550 lbs and had no problems today i jsut started warming up on the treadmill and i felt my left knee start to go rite on top of the knee cap... i dont know if it might be a tendon or cartillage in between the bone any advice is aprreciated thanx....

 

[Trouble]

http://www.athleticadvisor.com/Injuries/LE/Knee/knee_anat.htm

Where on this diagram did you have problems with your knee?

I would guess that the LCL might have stretched and ridden up under the kneecap. Alternatively, it could be you have strained or torn the quadriceps coupling ot the kneecap.

You should probably see a sports medicine physician or a PT for evaluation and treatment if necessary.

Pretty sure you probably developed a slow acting (chronic) inflammation that stopped proper recovery and probably induced a lot of local microtearing. That would weaken the connective tissue (which would always be in a state of inflammation awaiting repair, never actually being repaired before new local damage occurs - all very low intensity).

For sure, rest, ice and elevation. No more legwork for now. Find, buy and use Traumeel to help block the exaggerated inflammation response and induce healing. Apply twice a day.

This is a bit like the common overuse injuries seen in the shoulder.

 

[P-funk]

rest and ice. Could be a ligament (as stated above), could be the quad tendon. Could be some micro tears. No one is going to be able to give you a diagnosis over the internet.

May have something to do with the way you walk or move. Leg Press is a static/stable exercise. Lunges and walking are dynamic movements (body transit). So, the problem could be coming from improper tracking of the patella during abulation. Might want to have someone asses your gait.


-sorry...I am not trouble.

 

[fufu]

-sorry...I am not trouble.

That's right you're not! Now delete your post and give yourself 1.3 infraction points!


About the injury -

Ice and rest are your best options right now(like said previously). Seeing a doctor/specialist would be your best option if the pain keeps up. Keep us updated.

 

[luisfigo_benfic]

thanks to all you guys that answered (u too p-funk).... I would take all your opinions over a PT's any day since u guys have experience with this type of thing. to answer your questions trouble my guess its that its the "articular cartilage" section. I would like to lay off alittle bit but wouldnt that screw with my legs part of the routine???

 

[Trouble]

Thanks for the compliments to P-funk and myself, but I assure you, at least in my case, specific diagnosis and treatment knowledge is sure to be less than that of a certified PT who looks at your leg first-hand.

You have a what sounds like a chronic inflammation problem with cartilage beneath the knee cap (patella). The only way to encourage healing and to reduce that pain and inflammation will be to *not* further stress the joint and to apply unguents (like Traumeel) that locally treat inflammation and pain.

Traumeel and an extended break from aggravating joint stress did wonders for my knee 'bursitis', which sounds a bit like your problem. In my case, it was the reactivation of an old injury from repetitive climbing up and down very steep environmental sampling sites for years.

Do see a sports medicine physician..or, if your GP is good, he can refer you to a PT, if needed for insurance purposes.

Good luck with mending your damaged knee.

 

[Devlin]

For Trouble and P-funk.....what are your opinions of hinged knee braces for possible LCL or lateral menicus injuries? Is it recommended that a person not bear weight on the injured knee for a period of time after an acute, but minor tear or just brace it along with the usual ice, rest and NSAIDs?

I ask because I developed knee pain on the outside of the knee. Pain is localized to the the outside slightly below the point of knee flexion and tends to radiate down even at rest. If standing and attempt to twist with foot planted, I get instant shot of pain and knee gives out. Pain subsides to dull ache at rest, but returns upon flexing knee. This may sound strange, but if leg is straight and I attempt to flex my ankle/foot up and down, I get elevated pain on the outside of the knee (it almost feels like something is too tight and won't stretch). I put a hinged braced on to see if it would help and all aches/pains went away. I know I should probably see a doc, but it not easy this time of year and it started out as minor intermintent ache last week that went away until today when it returned, but went well beyond a dull ache.

 

[P-funk]

For Trouble and P-funk.....what are your opinions of hinged knee braces for possible LCL or lateral menicus injuries? Is it recommended that a person not bear weight on the injured knee for a period of time after an acute, but minor tear or just brace it along with the usual ice, rest and NSAIDs?

I ask because I developed knee pain on the outside of the knee. Pain is localized to the the outside slightly below the point of knee flexion and tends to radiate down even at rest. If standing and attempt to twist with foot planted, I get instant shot of pain and knee gives out. Pain subsides to dull ache at rest, but returns upon flexing knee. This may sound strange, but if leg is straight and I attempt to flex my ankle/foot up and down, I get elevated pain on the outside of the knee (it almost feels like something is too tight and won't stretch). I put a hinged braced on to see if it would help and all aches/pains went away. I know I should probably see a doc, but it not easy this time of year and it started out as minor intermintent ache last week that went away until today when it returned, but went well beyond a dull ache.

Things like the LCL and the lateral meniscus are tough. In general, blood flow to the tendons isn't great...and the blood flow to the meniscus is none, (except for the medial meniscus)......The fact that your knee is giving out means that a tendon has been compromised....you no longer have stability...could be your LCL, could be your ACL, depending on how you are twisting....defenitly stop twisting!! The twisting is going to mess with your meniscus....you don't want to injure both. Generally, if the meniscus is torn, you would see some swelling out of the back of the knee and after sitting for prolonged periods of time, your knee may lock up on you and it is painful sometimes to extend. With the giving out you are descibing it sounds like a ligament, again, that doesn't mean that the mensicus can't be messed up because of this.

You need to really get to a doctor to see what they can tell you and read the MRI......It may be bad enough for surgery....or, it may be not so bad, that you can go to physical therapy, get stim and ultrasound, rest it and do some of the therapy modalities and be alright..

The aches and pains went away with the brace because you are no longer stressing the knee. I would be careful though and get it looked at.