Knee Pain Question: I have had mild pain in my knee for 7 weeks. It has gotten better but still nags me...?

Question

I have had pain in my knee for about 7 weeks now. I believe it is from heavy exercise routines which I did up until it started hurting me. I went to a fantastic orthopedic surgeon who is a sports medicine doctor who specializes in the knee. He did a clinical exam (where he bent my knee around) and I also got an MRI. He told me that there are no tears or any signs of anything being wrong in my knee. However, he did mention that it looks like a have a VERY SMALL touch of arthritis on the underside of my knee cap.

This is all very frustrating to me because the pain that is bothering me is on the medial side (inner side) of my left knee.

Further background: I have NO history of knee problems (or any other physical problems). My pain did not result from a "sudden injury" like a tackle. I have full range of motion. There has never been any swelling or bruising. I have iced my knee and taken NSAID's (Alleve, etc). My knee doesn't "catch, lock or click"... Any REAL advice would be great!

Answer 1

A few options:

Examine your walk and shoeware. Are your feet flatter or more ached than normal? If so, the impact of the ground force reactions may be causing your knee to be positioned incorrectly while walking, thus leading to the mild arthritis and pain. Consider going to a shoe store that assesses your gait and can advice you on proper shoeware for your problem.

Improper training? You admitted to "heavy exercise routines" that may have lead to pain. If you were performing these exercises incorrectly, impact from the ground or the bearing of weight distributed unevenly throughout the kneed may be leading to the mild arthritis and pain. Consider consulting a personal trainer about your "form" with exercises.

Decreased strength/flexibility. Although you obviously are working out, certain muscles can become weak or tight if they are not specifically strengthened or stretched. Consider seeing a physical therapist who not only could teach you exercises for these impairments, but also treat the pain that you feel.

Tell your physician that the pain is causing a decreased quality of life and you want to consider these and other options for treatment.

Answer 2

I have had knee problems since 1987. First, a torn ACL and then a cartilage/menicus tear. I eventually had to have surgery for both injuries. I would suggest that you go to an orthopedic surgeon and get his/her advice, and also have an MRI done on your knee. Usually the torn cartilage has to be removed and smoothed out. Your excessive exercising may be doing more harm than good, so also ask your doctor how much and what kind of exercises you should be doing. Many people go to a trained physical therapist after surgery. Squatting is one of the worst things you can do for your knees.

Answer 3

Add tai chi to your morning regimen,should be better(not cured)in about a week or two.I use it to fight off osteo-porosis in several places.Drry weather helps,wet weather and cold weather still suck at times though.

Answer 4

ice it alot. thats what i do for all my football injuries.