what does it mean when I have pain in my knee that feels like a rubber band snapping?

Question

I have had problems with my kneecap moving on me for years. I have had no recent problems but I went exercising last week and was using the aerobic step, and they have this one machine where you place it on your shoulders and bend your knees, stooping into a sitting position like you are sitting in a chair. I started having pain in my knee after that, and it's been giving out on me when I put weight on it. Now today I have the sensation of a rubber band snapping on the inside of my kneecap, and there is a lot of pain. What does all this signal? Does anyone recognise any of the warning signs I'm having and can you guess as to what is wrong? I did have an mri done about 12-15 years ago and they told me the lining inside my kneecap was thinning from the injuries (I'd dislocated my kneecap several times from age 11 to my 30's, which is why it moves on me, the ligaments are loose on each side is what I was told)...I don't have medical insurance right now.

I don't have the money at the moment to go to a dr...no insurance...just wanted to try to rule out that it may be a really serious problem...I'm doing the rice type thing, with rest and ice, etc....and I'm not exercising till it's better.

Answer 1

the snapping sensation could mean a few different things. 1) a plica band, basically a piece of tissue that is part of your joint capsule. lots of people have them and sometimes they can get irritated and symptomatic 2) your IT (iliotibial band) is snapping over part of your knee joint. this is also common and can happen when the IT band is too tight or hip muscles are not strong enough. 3) less likely, but could be a meniscal tear. you would probably have more pain and swelling but this is a possibility.

i would recommend seeing a sports medicine physician to be evaluated. they may or may not want to get an mri depending on your exam.

good luck

ps - its not sciatica and unlikley that one of the ligaments is torn



pps - in that case, rest and ice are the best things, like you are doing. if you exercise, i would avoid knee extensions or deep squats. ask your trainer to teach you core exercises to work your hips. if all else fails, i would still recommend seeing a doctor. seeing a primary care sports medicine specialist is often cheaper than seeing an orthopedist and will help try non-operative or invasive therapies

Answer 2

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Pelvic pain is completely normal and near the end it is more so. It depends on where your baby is positioned, if bubs is pressing on a nerve, if bubs is moving and standing/sitting can be extremely painful. The popping sound could be anything, it could be your pelvis moving to the final birth position, it could be your ligaments doing the final stretch, it could of been bubs popping into final place before birth (engaging). I experimented during my last few weeks when sitting, standing to see if there was a way i could do it with less pain, after awhile i did find certain ways to move that were not as painful. I also had discomfort when i wasn't even doing anything, if i sat a certain way, or moved a certain way. i did find some relief on my hands and knees on the floor, it just changes where the baby's weight is placed and gives the pelvis a little rest and it must move the baby slightly as it took awhile for the pain to come back after i would do this. I just had to make sure there was someone or something to help me off the floor if needed. Good luck, you are nearly there. It's so true, every pregnancy is different. My 2nd was heaven, pure heaven lol, no symptoms, no nothing, my 3rd(current) has everything possible to do with pregnancy and multiplied lol.

Answer 3

With my second pregnancy, I had horrible pelvic pain. I also had a lot of pain in my butt. It felt like the entire bottom half of me was trying to detach from my body. I think it is normal for some women but no one could help me get comfort. I never felt the rubber band popping sensation though. Maybe it means that it is almost time to have the baby. God Bless and good luck.

Answer 4

You're old enough to know that there's probably something serious enough you can't fix it without a doctors help (surgery). You should try heat also, ice is usually only applied within the first 24 hours, or use both or whatever feels best. You're cruciate ligament may need some repair. Go to a free clinic or a place that charges on a sliding scale.

Answer 5

i would say you damaged a ligament in your knee...i had that happen to me...i have torn my ACL and my MCL a few times and have very loose knee caps. Also, they don't right in the track. But i think that you probably tore a ligament. I get that in my elbow as well and my problem is a ligament tear.

Answer 6

Joint pain or stiffness of the joint may be caused by overexertion, injuries, arthritis, muscle pain,bursitis and other diseases. Depending on the cause of the joint pain, joints on both sides of the body and small or large joints may be affected. Some types of joint pains can be completely cured but for other types of joint pain (like pain caused by osteoarthritis), treatment will only reduce the pain. More information on joint pain , home remedies and treatment is available at http://tinyurl.com/z5vx5

Answer 7

my mom had the same problem recently. She tore something in her knee, and had to have an arthroscopy done to fix it. U should go to the dr. They'll probably x-ray, and might do another mri to see what's going on.

Answer 8

you might have torn a mcl pcl or acl which uyou would need surgery go to the doctors and find out

Answer 9

I suffer from TRIGGER FINGER.. i know you will laugh but its not unusual or good. it can lock my finger in place and never fully straighten out again. it sounds like you have the same thing but your knee . get it checked out it just means that the tendon is not staying in place.

Answer 10

sciatica