Knee Injury?

Question

Okay, please don't tell me to go to the doctor. Insurance isn't working out right now. Knee injury over 2 years ago or more, didn't think it to be that serious. Still when i cross my legs up, and go back to move, it cramps up and take about 2 minutes before I can straighten out mY leg again. Exercise worsens it. I believe I had gotten this when I went back to school after 2 years homeschooled. I can walk, I can move without pain, but when I go into a full bend position for more that a few minutes. it hurts to re-straighten out my leg. My knee isn't whacked out or anything. I think it may be that inside grinding thing, But what can I do? I've tried braces, and hot and cold packs. no swelling, seems heat helps on occasion.. i am stumped. Continious pain when I walk uphill or run... Any help woul be appreciated.

Aslo, I am 16 with this condition..?

Answer 1

Speaking from someone who has just turned 18 and has had knee problems since she was 16, I feel for you.
I was homeschooled too, BTW. I spent both the day I graduated and my 18th B-Day in a knee cast...talk about fun. Hopefully, yours will be better before any of that stuff happens ;-)
Anyways, if there is no swelling, then take that as a good sign. It means all of your ligaments are intact, and there is no muscle damage. However, I have been through similar pains that you are going through. Since you said you had a previous injury, this makes it even more likely...
Whenever you injure a joint, scar tissue builds up. It can attatch to your bone, muscles, ligaments, tendons, if its there, it can attatch to it. If you don't get into physical therepy or anything within a couple months of injuring it, then it builds up even more.
So by the time you started to move it, it starts to tighten up, or even break down...hence the pain. And trust me, it can hurt ALLOT after you get up from bending. It can cause spasms, and it can make your knee lock in place (a very scary feeling). I've also had my knee give out on me a couple times...and that wasn't much fun either.
I injured my knee a couple months ago, and was off of it for almost 3 months. When I went back to work, I had to do allot of bending...and the same thing would happen. I found it difficult to even put weight on it as I would stand up from a bending postition.
When I went back to the doctors, she did and MRI, and saw that I had a ton of scar tissue from my injury, and thats what was causing all of this. She put me in a bendable/hinged brace (yes, even though it hurts to bend, its the best thing to do in SMALL amounts - no bending in a 45 degree angle or more), and said to ice it as much as possible. The more you gently bend it and work it out, the more the scar tissue will break down, and it'll stop causing problems. It may take a month or so, but it'll stop...
Or so I've been told.
It's been a couple weeks, and already it's feeling better. The heat pads that you buy at the store that wrap around your knee helps sometimes (espiscally if its been a long day of bending...if you know you are going to have to bend allot, wear it that day...it'll help SO MUCH). Ice it whenever it seems to be swollen. If you can, take NSAIDS to make sure that it doesn't start to swell, and be gentle...don't kneel, or sit with your knees down in a cair (like you do at dinner) for more then 5 or so minutes. It'll help ALLOT.

Good luck! And if you have any questions, feel free to email me. I could probably ask my doctor for you...she's pretty cool like that. Just tell me what type of injury you had a couple years ago, and I'll ask at my next App (which is in 2 days).

PS - I went to my doctors today, and asked for you. She said that if there is a genuine creaking sound whenever you move your knee, then their might be a very possible cartildge problem. However, most people who have problems like that tend to suffer from knee dislocations often, and experince severe pain while walking. But since you said that you don't have problems walking, just bending, it seems highly unlikely. She said based on your problems with bending, and since you've had a previous injury, that chances are its scar tissue breaking up - and for you to follow everything that I said earlier (since I'm stuck doing the same thing ;-) )Feel free to email me! Seriously, I've been there...and I'll be glad to help you out.

Answer 2

I have knees injuries due to car accidents and also practicing sports. Let me tell you that the cramps are normal because after a knee injury the ligaments and tendons never will align back to the original place. I know exactly how do you feel but is something that you will have to live with unless you can afford a surgery to fix the ligaments or knee cap (depends on injury) and the percentage of recovery is low, you would have to get a surgery every 10 years or less. I am used to it already but even like that I could squeeze in to join the military. My last accident was 5 years ago but learning how to exercise to get my knees stronger I don't feel pain no more, but I have to be careful because my knees still being fragile for life. Do legs exercises slowly and carefuly and apply hot compresses after exercising, I know is going to hurt but you know " No pain, no gain". Be careful with the massages, they could help a little or they can reverse the healing process when is applied unproperly. Dominate the pain, don't let the pain dominate you. Good luck!

Answer 3

First of all try some stretching and strengthing exercises. It sounds alot like my knee. I have no meniscous behind the knee due to an injury that I got 14 years ago. Had surgery...but only fixed part of the problem. Visit home therapy sites. A massuse gave me good advise and it helps.

Answer 4

Here are a few options for you:
Get a cortisone shot from an ortho doc
Get physical therapy
Get knee scope done if you have a torn meniscus
Or get a hinged knee brace (you can probably pick 1 up at a sporting goods store)

Answer 5

Hello,
You must be suffering from softening of the cartilage of the knee cap( Patella)
This is common in young girls. Most often it is due to maltracking of the patella. You need to develop the muscles( Inner quads)
and stretch the outer tissues. If pain still persists then you will need Patellar realignment surgery after proper assessment.
For more information please visit http:// www.kneeindia.com for Knee pain, injuries and treatment.
Cheers

Answer 6

Ice it after any physical acitivity. Strength train the muscles around the knee, thighs, calves etc. add more calcium to your diet. Try to strenght train in a pool as you get balanced resistance.

Answer 7

Try and get a cortizone shot, they may delay the inevitable - surgery. it sounds like torn cartlidge in the patela area - I had it and had the surgery 2 years ago. it feels fabulous now.

Answer 8

maybe your tibial band is f'ed up. that happened to me. try getting a small rubber ball a little bigger than a softball and lay on your side with it under your knee cap. then roll your leg up and down on it from your hip to the side of your shin. it may hurt but it will stretch the tendon out

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Try glucosamine condroitin...boyfriend uses it every day for same problem and it seems to help...also try an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, but no more than suggested on the box!