Tips for knee pain?

HarryGray

Hi all,

I had a fall when playing soccer about 10 weeks ago now. For a couple weeks I didn't notice anything, and then I started noticing a sharp pain all around my knee (inside and out) when walking up and down stairs. No swelling though and generally my movement was fine.

I finally saw a doctor about it 5 weeks ago who gave me Naproxen to try and see if that reduced the pain. It did reduce the pain tremendously, I could still feel something but it wasnt so painful.

I went to a physio to get some tips on how to fully recover and I was given some stretching and single legged squat exercises to do. But since then, my knee pain has returned almost as bad as ever

I have an MRI scan on the 6th December, but I was wondering if anyone had similar experiences? And what to do in the meantime? I'm not sure if its worth resting or trying to rehabilitate with things like yoga and pilates?

The doctor seems to think it is a potential meniscus tear, and Im praying I dont need surgery as I really want to get back to playing football

Thanks

melanzana

I think you might need to see an orthopeadic specialist.

We are just posters on a website really.

Manxman_in_exile

Did your GP refer you to a NHS physio or did you see someone privately? Presumably you had more than one appointment?


I'd expect a qualified physio to be more able to detect a potential cartilage tear from a physical examination than a GP, to be honest.


Wait on the MRI results.


Whatever the outcome of the MRI, if you want to get back to football, I'd strongly recommend continuing to see a physio for rehab and to strengthen the muscles around the knee. The quadriceps can weaken quite quickly after a period of inactivity which will lead to more knee problems. Where I live you can self-refer to a NHS physio and they are good. Check with your surgery if you can do this or whether you need to be referred by your GP.


Or pay to go private.

hatter68

Done my knee about a year ago been having nhs physio for meniscus tear but can’t get rid of it completely. Physio said they used to offer operation but not anymore as ineffective long term. Been doing step ups with knee raise deep squats and one legged Bulgarian split squats. Sometimes helps but as I say can’t fully recover but much better than when I first damaged it. Also got my mountain bike out in warmer weather and that helped as well.

flanker6

I've suffered with Knee pain for years.
Last few months I've been taking Turmeric and I've noticed benefits. It doesn't cure it, but it has eased significantly.

boots_babe

Your description sounds very similar to what I've just been through. Long story short I've had an issue with my knee for over 20 years, but not serious enough for me to see anyone, I knew how to minimise issues.

But last year I had a fall, and it made it much worse. Cue multiple MRI scans which all showed nothing, and a very confused orthopaedic consultant. He referred me for physio, who tried to strengthen my knee without inflaming the issue, but this didn't work at all.

Thankfully he referred me to another specialist, who immediately on first consultation, diagnosed me with a hypermobile lateral meniscus, effectively where the meniscus has torn away from where it should be attached.

He told me that this is impossible to spot via MRI, which explains why mine all came back clear. It can only be recognised through familiarity with the specific symptoms, and even then can only be fully diagnosed via an arthoroscopy.

I've just had an arthroscopy during which stitches were applied to fix the meniscus, and am in recovery. I'm told it's a 100% recovery rate which is heartening, so in a couple of months will be back to better than I was before.

I've said all this just because, even if your MRI comes back clear, it doesn't mean there is no issue. Both my consultant and physio were confused, and I feel lucky that my 2nd consultant had experience with the symptoms.

If your MRI doesn't show anything, it might be time to ask for a 2nd opinion. Good luck!

Qunol

Yes, turmeric may support the inflammation response. One thing to note about turmeric is that there are challenges with absorption, and forms that are hydro-soluble absorb better.

JustAnotherSaver

Well as we haven't heard from you since yet you were active on the 17th i don't know if you will see this or not.


Did you have your MRI?


I may well just be some nobody on an internet forum who has no clue what they're talking about (usually the case) or i may be somebody who's had operations on both knees for differing issues with differing degrees of success and has seen numerous physios, both NHS & private so may actually have an idea what i'm talking about. That's for you to decide.


First things first .... if i can offer you any advice then above and beyond absolutely anything, any exercise, any seeing this guy or that guy, if i could offer you only 1 bit ......... do NOT have an operation unless you feel it absolutely necessary.
If you had caught me after my first knee op i'd have said get it sorted, them guys know what they're doing.
But you haven't. You've caught me after i've had both knees done (the latter of which was 8-9 years ago) and the second one, well lets just say any op for me now has to be literally the last resort! Feel free to PM me for more info if you wish.





Aside from that though all i'd say is wait on an MRI to properly diagnose. Once you know for sure what's wrong then you can start thinking about proper treatment. Until then you're just guessing, which could make things worse, as you've found out.

JustAnotherSaver

boots_babe wrote: »

I've said all this just because, even if your MRI comes back clear, it doesn't mean there is no issue. Both my consultant and physio were confused, and I feel lucky that my 2nd consultant had experience with the symptoms.

If your MRI doesn't show anything, it might be time to ask for a 2nd opinion. Good luck!

I will second this opinion.


I had another issue with my fibula which had been going on for 2 years. I'd seen numerous people, all who were baffled as to why i was still in pain. I was finally put through to another specialist, a lower leg specialist (apparently) who then told me he was discussing my case with other specialists around the country to get to the problem.


In the end they got me sorted, but all those before him said can't see anything = no problem.




Still, i stand by what i said regards operations. Be absolutely 110% sure that it's what you want and be totally aware of the risks. Like i said my first knee op was fantastic. The op on the other knee has been a disaster.

Nebulous2

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I will second this opinion.


I had another issue with my fibula which had been going on for 2 years. I'd seen numerous people, all who were baffled as to why i was still in pain. I was finally put through to another specialist, a lower leg specialist (apparently) who then told me he was discussing my case with other specialists around the country to get to the problem.


In the end they got me sorted, but all those before him said can't see anything = no problem.




Still, i stand by what i said regards operations. Be absolutely 110% sure that it's what you want and be totally aware of the risks. Like i said my first knee op was fantastic. The op on the other knee has been a disaster.

That's the situation with all operations. You're playing the odds. Often they'll work in your favour, sometimes they won't.

My mother had a knee replacement and it has been great. One of the best things to happen to her. I met someone whose replacement was problematic, they removed it and tried again. The second one was still an issue so they then amputated his leg.

JustAnotherSaver

Nebulous2 wrote: »

That's the situation with all operations. You're playing the odds. Often they'll work in your favour, sometimes they won't.

My mother had a knee replacement and it has been great. One of the best things to happen to her. I met someone whose replacement was problematic, they removed it and tried again. The second one was still an issue so they then amputated his leg.

Obviously but i think it's easy to get complacent over it & think everything will be ok. Especially if you've had them before & they've been ok.


I had an operation to remove part of my elbow. It had dislocated, i was sent away as there was nothing wrong, FFWD 2 years & it had calcified, was causing me incredible pain & they decided it had actually dislocated at the time ... operation required.


Aside from i can't fully straighten my arm it's actually been a success. I look back on it & it was a worthwhile op. I'm better than i was by far & it very rarely causes me trouble.


The next one was torn cartilage in my knee. My leg kept giving way & i kept falling down. I went in for the op, they shaved it down & 'cleaned the knee out' (as they always seem to do) and it's been a great success. Once again it's so much better than it was and very rarely gives me pain.


The last one was the problem knee. I was having trouble putting force through the heel (so for example, getting out of a car & standing up). There would be instant sharp intense pain but it'd go pretty quickly also. At this point i could still run & i was in training to start competing in races. I was looking at doing some little 5k races.
They said my knee cap was goosed. I needed an op. No problem i thought, it sorted me out last time i thought.
I came round & they'd removed some sort of membrane they said.


Straight away things felt different. My knee ballooned up an incredible amount to the point it felt like my skin was going to split it was so tight.

I had trouble with blood clots. I kept collapsing through pain, literally collapsing to the floor, not just feeling a bit weak. I started having belly injections which eventually sorted that.
Then when i was told 6 week recovery and i was still on week 13 no better, i knew things weren't right.
I lost feeling down the side of my knee. When i questioned it the surgeon was very dismissive. I don't know why you've no feeling there because i didn't even work there. That was the end of his 'concern' on it. He just didn't care. I'm not saying he could've got me my feeling back but he clearly didn't give a toss. 9 years on i've still no feeling there so it'll never return.


It took me about 4 years to not be in constant pain. Even now if i spend too long on my feet i get incredible pain in the knee. It's hard to describe but it's as though it's being clamped in a vice with immense pressure going from the outside inwards like it's going to be crushed but at the same time the same pressure in the opposite direction like it's going to explode. I never had this before the op.
I also cannot do anything high impact any more. Running, jogging, certainly football, any trampoline work - it's all out of the question.

After some years & finally feeling 'ok' in regular everyday life i did try jogging again for a few minutes but it put me out of action for 3-4 weeks. It takes forever to get right.


I'd say it's most certainly worse than it was before. I've had numerous MRI scans since. They've offered to go back in there & take another look but as there's a chance it could get worse & not better or even stay the same, i'm not willing to take it. Like i said, ops for me now have to be literally last resort.


Not to say all ops are bad or go bad or whatever. They clearly don't. If i'd have sat & thought about it would i have gone for it? Yeah sure, i don't possess a crystal ball. Looking back though it was a terrible decision.