Help: Knee Pain

[grip]

I walked up and down a flight of stairs 60 times in two days moving. I hurt my knee a little, especially felt it coming down the steps. Seemed to heal and started walking again 2 miles a day for 2 weeks, when one night my knee locked up. I figured I re-injured and inflamed the tendons in my knee that didn't have time to heal properly.

Now for 2-3 weeks I've been resting the leg everyday using topical creams, patches, NSAIDS, ice, compression, muscle relaxers and even a dose of steroids. But it doesn't seem to be getting a lot better past a certain point. I wear a brace for walking any significant distance and sleeping because it helps me from bending the leg, which causes the knee to lock up in horrible pain. The night is by far the worse.

Has anybody had knee tendonitis or similar condition and how long before it heals or does it ever fully heal? I've read it can take months.

I'm not fond of surgery having had a failed attempt already on my back. And wouldn't be able to go up to my apartment.

 

[Fisher]

Nothing like that but be careful not to overdose on analgesics......those topical creams usually have meds in them too.

 

[VanceMack]

7 surgeries on both legs and a complete knee replacement. You should get it checked out. If it is just pain it could be a tendon pain and that can take months and more to feel better. if it is locking, it is likely you have a tear that could be impinging the joint movement. If it is a tear they can usually do a simple arthroscopic scraping that will remove any spurs or tags. But...get it checked.

 

[Thom Paine]

Had that problem 45 years go ..... Possibly this situation.. Link
URL="http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/meniscus-tear-topic-overview"]http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/meniscus-tear-topic-overview[/URL]

 

[tessaesque]

I can't help w/that specific issue, but my dad has had similar problems. Took him almost 6 months to heal (his stubborn ass refused to see a doctor the whole time) and he still has issues if he over works it or when the barometric pressure rises.

 

[lizzie]

I haven't had knee tendonitis, but I did have tennis elbow from repetitive work on a kitchen model project, back in the old days when I didn't have my own electric drill, and was using a manual screwdriver. Tendons are very slow to heal- about 9 months to a year, because the blood supply to tendons is poor. I would take it easy for at least that much time, and I would use a compressive wrap.

 

[Lutherf]

What Thom said. It sure sounds like meniscus problems.

 

[Gipper]

Anyone else find it ironic that a question about pain was answered by someone named Paine?

 

[grip]

Thanks for all the replies.

Meniscus tear is the same conclusion I came too. I guess it's just going to be slow healing, unless it gets worse then I'll consider an arthroscopic surgery. I just don't have any floor level accommodations and can't afford a hotel for 2 months of rehab. I think I may actually have a tear and patellar tendonitis from the symptomatology. I have a doctors appt in a couple months and will get a referral to a specialist if it's still really bad.

The hell of it is I didn't hardly feel anything and besides the night time, frozen pain when it's bent it doesn't hurt that much. Old crummy body sucks.

 

[nota bene]

I walked up and down a flight of stairs 60 times in two days moving. I hurt my knee a little, especially felt it coming down the steps. Seemed to heal and started walking again 2 miles a day for 2 weeks, when one night my knee locked up. I figured I re-injured and inflamed the tendons in my knee that didn't have time to heal properly.

Now for 2-3 weeks I've been resting the leg everyday using topical creams, patches, NSAIDS, ice, compression, muscle relaxers and even a dose of steroids. But it doesn't seem to be getting a lot better past a certain point. I wear a brace for walking any significant distance and sleeping because it helps me from bending the leg, which causes the knee to lock up in horrible pain. The night is by far the worse.

Has anybody had knee tendonitis or similar condition and how long before it heals or does it ever fully heal? I've read it can take months.

I'm not fond of surgery having had a failed attempt already on my back. And wouldn't be able to go up to my apartment.

I've made it through a meniscal tear, and it took time...lots of time and lots of pain because although I tried to "stay off" the knee, that's really not possible if you're ambulatory. Months and months later, I was hospitalized for an infection and truly off the knee for eight days, and that finally solved the problem. Very sorry you're going through this.

Cane may help a bit; Ibuprofen too.

 

[Muhammed]

Has anybody had knee tendonitis or similar condition and how long before it heals or does it ever fully heal? I've read it can take months.

I've had it in my elbow a few times before. It takes a long time to heal.

Switched back to hammers with wooden handles and I've never had it again.

 

[grip]

I've made it through a meniscal tear, and it took time...lots of time and lots of pain because although I tried to "stay off" the knee, that's really not possible if you're ambulatory. Months and months later, I was hospitalized for an infection and truly off the knee for eight days, and that finally solved the problem. Very sorry you're going through this.

Cane may help a bit; Ibuprofen too.

I've noticed the longer I stay off the knee the better it does, especially over night. The pain at night is off the charts when I wake up with the leg bent. I just ordered a knee immobilizer and hope it will help while sleeping.

At least from the great answers I know it will take some months to heal. Not knowing what was really happening was starting to freak me out and even knowing is scary. Thanks nota bene.

 

[nota bene]

You're very welcome. I'm just so sorry you're having to endure this. I limped for almost a year and am just so grateful that I don't have to think through anymore how I'm going to get out of the car. So glad that most days (until the weather changes, LOL, or I climb up and down a ladder a couple of times) I can just walk without thinking about every single step.

Pro-tip if you do the grocery shopping: Snag a cart in the parking lot; it's better than a cane.

 

[sharon]

I walked up and down a flight of stairs 60 times in two days moving. I hurt my knee a little, especially felt it coming down the steps. Seemed to heal and started walking again 2 miles a day for 2 weeks, when one night my knee locked up. I figured I re-injured and inflamed the tendons in my knee that didn't have time to heal properly.

Now for 2-3 weeks I've been resting the leg everyday using topical creams, patches, NSAIDS, ice, compression, muscle relaxers and even a dose of steroids. But it doesn't seem to be getting a lot better past a certain point. I wear a brace for walking any significant distance and sleeping because it helps me from bending the leg, which causes the knee to lock up in horrible pain. The night is by far the worse.

Has anybody had knee tendonitis or similar condition and how long before it heals or does it ever fully heal? I've read it can take months.

I'm not fond of surgery having had a failed attempt already on my back. And wouldn't be able to go up to my apartment.

Mine was cause by over extention and stairs.. Took 3 years to heal.. and went away suddenly.. but I don't think my doctor was real swift. Can you get management to move you to the ground floor and give it a rest.

 

[nota bene]

I just don't think anything less than being really and truly off the leg will help, and whatcha gonna do if you have to work and drive and park and shop? You can do the bed thing on weekends, but what about during the work-week?

 

[sharon]

I just don't think anything less than being really and truly off the leg will help, and whatcha gonna do if you have to work and drive and park and shop? You can do the bed thing on weekends, but what about during the work-week?

You're right, nota.. but how?

 

[X Factor]

Thanks for all the replies.

Meniscus tear is the same conclusion I came too. I guess it's just going to be slow healing, unless it gets worse then I'll consider an arthroscopic surgery. I just don't have any floor level accommodations and can't afford a hotel for 2 months of rehab. I think I may actually have a tear and patellar tendonitis from the symptomatology. I have a doctors appt in a couple months and will get a referral to a specialist if it's still really bad.

The hell of it is I didn't hardly feel anything and besides the night time, frozen pain when it's bent it doesn't hurt that much. Old crummy body sucks.

I hate to say it but meniscus tears don't heal. I twisted my knee causing my meniscus to tear and actually fold on itself. Hurt like crazy. I balked at the thought of surgery at first too, but I did get it done. I couldn't walk on it at all though, so my situation was different than yours.

 

[grip]

Mine was cause by over extention and stairs.. Took 3 years to heal.. and went away suddenly.. but I don't think my doctor was real swift. Can you get management to move you to the ground floor and give it a rest.

I just had them move me upstairs because of the noise. The moving is what caused the injury. I go up the stairs only once a day real slow.

Pro-tip if you do the grocery shopping: Snag a cart in the parking lot; it's better than a cane.

I wondered why I was leaning on the cart so much and getting around easier. I have a cane and find them more awkward than helpful.

I just don't think anything less than being really and truly off the leg will help, and whatcha gonna do if you have to work and drive and park and shop? You can do the bed thing on weekends, but what about during the work-week?

I have to shop otherwise I just move around the apartment. I can try to take it more easy. My ass is going to get flat as pancake if I sit anymore.

I was a physical wonder till my late 30's. Athletic, gymnastic and great physical shape. After my back went out I've been simply craptastic.

 

[grip]

I hate to say it but meniscus tears don't heal. I twisted my knee causing my meniscus to tear and actually fold on itself. Hurt like crazy. I balked at the thought of surgery at first too, but I did get it done. I couldn't walk on it at all though, so my situation was different than yours.

I know the cushion between the bones doesn't really repair itself, unless it's a small tear near the edge. It might stop being inflamed eventually but the damage could end up needing surgery or turn to arthritis. I'm not quick for surgery because of a really bad experience. Sometimes it seems to be better then I have a bad night.

 

[Superfly]

I was thinking torn meniscus, too. My 13 year old daughter had it. We still don't know how it happened, but they put her in an immobilizer and ibuprofen, and eventually it got better. Thing is, I worry when it will flare back up again. All it took to rush her to the emergency room was her getting on her knees one morning to look under her bed. The knee twisted in just such a way that I practically had to carry her out to the car.

 

[Harry Guerrilla]

I walked up and down a flight of stairs 60 times in two days moving. I hurt my knee a little, especially felt it coming down the steps. Seemed to heal and started walking again 2 miles a day for 2 weeks, when one night my knee locked up. I figured I re-injured and inflamed the tendons in my knee that didn't have time to heal properly.

Now for 2-3 weeks I've been resting the leg everyday using topical creams, patches, NSAIDS, ice, compression, muscle relaxers and even a dose of steroids. But it doesn't seem to be getting a lot better past a certain point. I wear a brace for walking any significant distance and sleeping because it helps me from bending the leg, which causes the knee to lock up in horrible pain. The night is by far the worse.

Has anybody had knee tendonitis or similar condition and how long before it heals or does it ever fully heal? I've read it can take months.

I'm not fond of surgery having had a failed attempt already on my back. And wouldn't be able to go up to my apartment.

I've had both knees worked on, when I was a teenager.
A possible cause is that you may have torn the cartilage in your knee, that doesn't go away without surgery.

Knee pain blows.

Also, if it's recommended that you have physical therapy, complete it.
It took me around ten years to get back to normal function, largely because I didn't complete my physical therapy.
That was 10 years of my knee randomly popping out of socket.
That does not feel good.

 

[Superfly]

knee pain does blow. I have no cartilage in my knees. Stairs are tough. Sucks too because I am pretty young. I asked the doctors what happened, but they have no idea. Overuse, genetics, it could be a number of things. I love to walk, so they said that could be it. *shrugs* All I know is they said that the only way to fix the problem is knee replacement surgery. I had a boss that had that done once, and I'm not looking forward to it. She hobbled around for a year on a cane after the surgery.

 

[zhak]

I've noticed the longer I stay off the knee the better it does, especially over night. The pain at night is off the charts when I wake up with the leg bent. I just ordered a knee immobilizer and hope it will help while sleeping.

At least from the great answers I know it will take some months to heal. Not knowing what was really happening was starting to freak me out and even knowing is scary. Thanks nota bene.

Usually as stated, rest, elevation above the Heart, lets the Blood flow, so Ive been told, so you might want to stick a pillow under at night and when resting" Again, I have only been told this by others with the problem.......... most inflamatory OTC meds, but If it is a tear, It will Not go away, will just re.occur when abused again' ... good luck'

 

[wolfie]

I've had both knees worked on, when I was a teenager.
A possible cause is that you may have torn the cartilage in your knee, that doesn't go away without surgery.

Knee pain blows.

Also, if it's recommended that you have physical therapy, complete it.
It took me around ten years to get back to normal function, largely because I didn't complete my physical therapy.
That was 10 years of my knee randomly popping out of socket.
That does not feel good.

It is not always your knees that are the problem..

Your knees must take the pressure of your full body weight during normal daily activities, as well as more strenuous exercise. While the joint is strong, knee pain and injury are common, not only because of the joint's complex design, but also because it is easily thrown out of alignment when the bones and ligaments it is connected to don't perform as they should. Overpronation or supination, for example, are common causes of knee pain. This is when your ankles roll inwards or outwards, respectively, to an excessive degree.


While finding the correct footwear is important,..I recommend first seeking medical advice if you experience any prolonged or persistent pain in your knees. I suggest showing the shoes you wear most often to your doctor so they can check for excessive wear on the inner and/or outer parts of the soles, and then help you make a decision about the right footwear for your feet and style of movement. This may include more or less arch support, additional heel cushioning or ankle support...

 

[Harry Guerrilla]

It is not always your knees that are the problem..

Your knees must take the pressure of your full body weight during normal daily activities, as well as more strenuous exercise. While the joint is strong, knee pain and injury are common, not only because of the joint's complex design, but also because it is easily thrown out of alignment when the bones and ligaments it is connected to don't perform as they should. Overpronation or supination, for example, are common causes of knee pain. This is when your ankles roll inwards or outwards, respectively, to an excessive degree.


While finding the correct footwear is important,..I recommend first seeking medical advice if you experience any prolonged or persistent pain in your knees. I suggest showing the shoes you wear most often to your doctor so they can check for excessive wear on the inner and/or outer parts of the soles, and then help you make a decision about the right footwear for your feet and style of movement. This may include more or less arch support, additional heel cushioning or ankle support...

It was definitely my knees.
I have floating knee caps, for starters, but I had 3 knee surgeries between both of them, before I had hit 18.
Pretty much killed any chance I had of joining the military.