I have been having some moderate pain in my left knee for approx. one week. I have no history of trauma to that knee. On Friday, after a few days of moderate pain, I was folding laundry and my knee 'gave way', and I felt a very sudden, sharp pain that lasted approx. 3 seconds. After that, I still had the soreness, but no other sudden pain for the rest of the evening. On Saturday, however, it began aching more, both behind the knee cap and around it. It aches more when I am sitting for a long period of time.
It sounds like plain old chondromalacia, which I have had in the right knee. However, the pain is similar to the pain I felt in my right knee when I tore my medial meniscus five years ago. I have made an appointment with my primary care doctor, but I know it is one or the other. Any ideas?
2007-01-22 05:42:51 · 5 answers · asked by Angela R 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Wow, there is nothing plain about chondromalacia. I'm surprised you were given that diagnosis, it is a fairly rare condition. Back to your question: my thoughts are that you may have run of the mill PFP (patello femoral pain) in both knees. However, it doesn't always show itself in an acute situation. One thought: did it feel like your kneecap popped out of place or was the pain localized somewhere else? You could have a subluxating kneecap, which is common in folks with a history of knee injuries (due to atrophy of quads). I would have your physician refer you for an MRI or to an orthopod for further assessment. Good luck.
2007-01-22 08:47:31 · answer #1 · answered by shoemanshoe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an athletic trainer, so I deal with this type of injury on justabout a daily basis.
While you were folding your clothes, you didn't perchance turn while you were bending (such as putting clothes in a basket on the floor?) If this was what happened when your knee gave out, I would guess that you may have torn your meniscus. However if your knee just gave way while you were folding clothes, without the bending and twisting, my guess is that you simply are dealing with the chondromalacia.
The cartilage of the meniscus is actually fairly hard to tear, and when it happens while doing mundane tasks such as in your case, 99% of the time the person has been twisting while bending down.
If you have swelling present, wrap your knee with an ace wrap and elevate your knee above the level of your heart, also ice for 20 minutes 3x per day.
Hope this helps. Remember that the more information you can give your doctor the better decision they can make for your prognosis.
ALSO!!! I personally would recommend seeing an orthopedist, or insisting upon a referral from your PCP. Your PCP is not trained in orthopedic injuries, and will not be able to give you the best diagnosis of an injury such as this.
2007-01-22 06:36:03 · answer #2 · answered by amsmithatc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eat nourishing food with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables being part of it. Chew each morsel at least 32 times. This will activate signal to the brain as soon as u have had enough. Besides this change in eating style, take regular light exercises and brisk walks every day. U will be able to gain/shed all extra weight gracefully and in a reasonable time span. No food or drink in between the food and not more than three meals a day, unless u r diabetic.
2016-03-29 09:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try cold compression therapy such as http://www.coldoneinc.com/knee_wrap.html.
Good Luck
2007-01-22 05:47:45 · answer #4 · answered by twocoolinc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be both, stop guessing and wait for the doctor's diagnosis.
2007-01-22 05:46:37 · answer #5 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋