Knee pain?

[superjohn]

A day or two ago I woke up with a slight pain in my knee like I twisted it. Every so often this would happen years ago and my knee would swell up like crazy only to disappear later. This hasn't happened in years so I thought it was gone for good. It's not a big deal, it can last just a few days or in some cases a few weeks. It always hurts the most at night and in the morning like most things, I can deal with the pain but would like to get rid of the swelling, in the past it has swollen to double the size of the other knee and walking becomes difficult. Always assumed I had some sort of meniscus tear that never healed right but never saw a doc about it, maybe it's just bursitis or something else. Is there anything good to do to stop the swelling besides ice and elevating it as much as possible.

 

[dogpause]

When I need medical advice, this is the first place I think of.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Go get an MRI. Is there a reason you bypassed this step? I use an Ace Comfort Fit Sleeve (if walking distance). You align the patella opening over kneecap. It helps me.

Good luck. Hope you feel better.

Bluedog

 

[August_West]

A day or two ago I woke up with a slight pain in my knee like I twisted it. Every so often this would happen years ago and my knee would swell up like crazy only to disappear later. This hasn't happened in years so I thought it was gone for good. It's not a big deal, it can last just a few days or in some cases a few weeks. It always hurts the most at night and in the morning like most things, I can deal with the pain but would like to get rid of the swelling, in the past it has swollen to double the size of the other knee and walking becomes difficult. Always assumed I had some sort of meniscus tear that never healed right but never saw a doc about it, maybe it's just bursitis or something else. Is there anything good to do to stop the swelling besides ice and elevating it as much as possible.

probably a meniscus tear. Does your knee ever buckle at random times? If yes, then you might have an ACL tear. If no, Im sticking with Meniscus. I have and had both. I have a cadaver ACL in my left knee along with a repaired meniscus. After all that surgery I retore my meniscus. My knee still swells frequently. Really its ice and rest and elevation. Thats all you can do.

 

[CL82]

I'm sure John will get an accurate and helpful answer in twenty minutes, which beats typical waiting room time.

 

[Husky25]

Obviously you don't want to see a doctor for whatever reason, but if you have insurance, use it!!! You still have to pay premiums no matter how many doctor visits you have. Go to an orthopedist. If you have to, get a referral from a PCP. The orthopedist will probably prescribe physical therapy. If they recommend surgery right off the bat, get a second opinion.

 

[August_West]

I'm sure John will get an accurate and helpful answer in twenty minutes, which beats typical waiting room time.

Quite honestly when I first butchered my knee a couple years ago there was some great advice in a thread I started about it.

 

[superjohn]

Never got it checked out because I can deal with discomfort once a year for a week or two. Was going to get it checked out a few years ago but again it went away, I would guess it's been three years since a flare up. I trust the boneyard's opinion on all medical matters much more than I would the medical community. This board is full of experts in all fields imaginable.

 

[mauconnfan]

superjohn will get so many remedies and ideas on the BY he will end up being Dr John. Question is whether the Boneyard is the Right Place?

 

[Dove]

Never got it checked out because I can deal with discomfort once a year for a week or two. Was going to get it checked out a few years ago but again it went away, I would guess it's been three years since a flare up. I trust the boneyard's opinion on all medical matters much more than I would the medical community. This board is full of experts in all fields imaginable.

Look up guinea worm. They feed on bone marrow once/year thus the flare ups. Soon, expect this pain to go to your ankle area as it begins it's quest to burrow out of leg.

 

[August_West]

Never got it checked out because I can deal with discomfort once a year for a week or two. Was going to get it checked out a few years ago but again it went away, I would guess it's been three years since a flare up. I trust the boneyard's opinion on all medical matters much more than I would the medical community. This board is full of experts in all fields imaginable.

Im with you. My Doctor wants to go in and fix my meniscus again. I wont do it. I can live with the pain and the occasional swelling. I am not in a hurry to go under the knife again. Ive since learned knees are tricky, even with insurance you can spend a boatload of money on surgery and the resulting PT. I mean my copays for 3 times a week PT were 45 bucks a visit. Thats over 500 bucks a month. The other thing Ive learned (and this is especially true once you hit mid late 40s) that even with surgery that "fixes" everything you will never be the same as before. There will be little aches and pains and whatnot. So I weigh all that against what my current situation is.

Try these excercises. It is almost verbatim to what PT had me doing. If anything REALLY hurts while doing them, stop.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/ss/slideshow-knee-exercises

 

[Dove]

Or...is this you?

 

[8893]

Literally meeting with a client in the next hour who had a meniscus tear and underwent partial meniscectomy after more conservative management (PT and cortisone shots) didn't help. She still has pain following the surgery and the doctor wants to try a new injection that is supposed to be better than cortisone but her insurance has rejected it. Her doctor is going to resubmit after the first of the year in hopes of getting it approved. I haven't seen the latest records yet but will try to find out what the new injections are.

 

[uchusky32]

Go the Ronnie Lott route. Cut it off so you don't miss the playoffs!

 

[Chin Diesel]

A day or two ago I woke up with a slight pain in my knee like I twisted it. Every so often this would happen years ago and my knee would swell up like crazy only to disappear later. This hasn't happened in years so I thought it was gone for good. It's not a big deal, it can last just a few days or in some cases a few weeks. It always hurts the most at night and in the morning like most things, I can deal with the pain but would like to get rid of the swelling, in the past it has swollen to double the size of the other knee and walking becomes difficult. Always assumed I had some sort of meniscus tear that never healed right but never saw a doc about it, maybe it's just bursitis or something else. Is there anything good to do to stop the swelling besides ice and elevating it as much as possible.

Invest your free time and energy getting spun up about a joke thread regarding Ollie going to UW. That will take your mind off of your medical conditions.

 

[sammydabiz]

Is there anything good to do to stop the swelling besides ice and elevating it as much as possible.

Ice, elevation, and compression. (I.e. Like a tommy copper sleeve, but don't believe the commercials, the copper doesn't do a thing, but compression will help.)

If your inflammation is also red (and hot to the touch) good chance there is an infection, in that case go see a Dr. But Bursistis is def a possibility. Were you doing anything strenuous before the symptoms came about?

 

[imno1]

You can also take naproxen or ibuprofen to help reduce the swelling. What were you doing the day before it acted up? And where on the knee is the pain? Possibly an overuse injury but if swelling and pain continues certain see a specialist.

 

[intlzncster]

A day or two ago I woke up with a slight pain in my knee like I twisted it. Every so often this would happen years ago and my knee would swell up like crazy only to disappear later. This hasn't happened in years so I thought it was gone for good. It's not a big deal, it can last just a few days or in some cases a few weeks. It always hurts the most at night and in the morning like most things, I can deal with the pain but would like to get rid of the swelling, in the past it has swollen to double the size of the other knee and walking becomes difficult. Always assumed I had some sort of meniscus tear that never healed right but never saw a doc about it, maybe it's just bursitis or something else. Is there anything good to do to stop the swelling besides ice and elevating it as much as possible.

Do you hear any slight clicking in the knee when you rotate to the side on your plant foot? If so, likely meniscus. There's no 'cure' for a meniscus tear, just rest, ice, and strengthening the muscles around it. That said, if you did tear your meniscus years ago (and I don't know if you have), there might be some scar tissue that can be cleared out with simple arthroscopic day surgery. That usually helps to alleviate swelling and clicking.

There are no braces that satisfactorily support a meniscus tear. But a wrap style brace would help to alleviate the swelling and support the knee in general. There are comfortable ones for night time.

I totally agree with seeing an ortho. You can't diagnose these things properly without some imaging being done. If you have insurance, you might as well use it. Good thing to address asap, as you may be able to avoid further complications down the road.

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

A day or two ago I woke up with a slight pain in my knee like I twisted it. Every so often this would happen years ago and my knee would swell up like crazy only to disappear later. This hasn't happened in years so I thought it was gone for good. It's not a big deal, it can last just a few days or in some cases a few weeks. It always hurts the most at night and in the morning like most things, I can deal with the pain but would like to get rid of the swelling, in the past it has swollen to double the size of the other knee and walking becomes difficult. Always assumed I had some sort of meniscus tear that never healed right but never saw a doc about it, maybe it's just bursitis or something else. Is there anything good to do to stop the swelling besides ice and elevating it as much as possible.

Is this Shea Ralph?

 

[upstater]

Thread title "Knee pain?" + 18 responses makes me think: oh no! Daniel Hamilton has knee problems.

Then I get on and read the first post and think, "Thank god it's only superjohn with the knee problems."

Not a very nice response, I know, so I apologize superjohn.

 

[Husky25]

Look up guinea worm. They feed on bone marrow once/year thus the flare ups. Soon, expect this pain to go to your ankle area as it begins it's quest to burrow out of leg.

WebMD is a dangerous site .

 

[intlzncster]

Im with you. My Doctor wants to go in and fix my meniscus again. I wont do it. I can live with the pain and the occasional swelling. I am not in a hurry to go under the knife again. Ive since learned knees are tricky, even with insurance you can spend a boatload of money on surgery and the resulting PT. I mean my copays for 3 times a week PT were 45 bucks a visit. Thats over 500 bucks a month. The other thing Ive learned (and this is especially true once you hit mid late 40s) that even with surgery that "fixes" everything you will never be the same as before. There will be little aches and pains and whatnot. So I weigh all that against what my current situation is. Try these excercises. It is almost verbatim to what PT had me doing. If anything REALLY hurts while doing them, stop.

I would say this is not true regarding basic arthroscopic surgery to clear out scar tissue that might built up on the side related to a meniscus tear. Quick healing, no impact on function or degeneration. At worst, in general, this type of surgery does nothing.

Totally agree on the PT thing. For most general PT stuff, you can simply find the exercises online and perform them at home (while watching a game). The key is constancy. A lot of people go to PTs because they can't be bothered to stick with a routine on their own.

 

[Richmondhsky]

Literally meeting with a client in the next hour who had a meniscus tear and underwent partial meniscectomy after more conservative management (PT and cortisone shots) didn't help. She still has pain following the surgery and the doctor wants to try a new injection that is supposed to be better than cortisone but her insurance has rejected it. Her doctor is going to resubmit after the first of the year in hopes of getting it approved. I haven't seen the latest records yet but will try to find out what the new injections are.

I suffered from arthritis in one knee at 55. Went the gamit of cortisone, Sinvisc and rich blood platelates. The cortisone helped once for 30 days, the other's didn't resulting in a partial knee replacement last February. Wish I had done it much earlier. When your knee swells it's telling you there is something very wrong. Go to the ortho and get it diagnosed...the longer you wait the more likely your back or hip will go wrong having to deal with your knee. Good luck

 

[intlzncster]

Then I get on and read the first post and think, "Thank god it's only superjohn with the knee problems." Not a very nice response, I know, so I apologize superjohn.

This is a Patriots/Giants thing isn't it.

 

[intlzncster]

Ice, elevation, and compression. (I.e. Like a tommy copper sleeve, but don't believe the commercials, the copper doesn't do a thing, but compression will help.)

If your inflammation is also red (and hot to the touch) good chance there is an infection, in that case go see a Dr. But Bursistis is def a possibility. Were you doing anything strenuous before the symptoms came about?

I so wish I got in on the copper 'health' boom. Especially those copper wrist bands. Golfers will buy anything if there is the remotest possibility that it will help their game.