Can I get some help with something? I hurt my knee...?

Question

About a week ago, I was walking in front of a convenience store and slipped on some snow/ice outside. I didn't feel anything at all immediately after the fall. It was only the next day that I noticed a great big bruise on my right arm and my knee started to hurt.

No, hurt isn't the right word. I can stand for about 15 minutes before moving from that position, even if its just to walk starts this ache that runs through my leg.

After all day at work, where I have to walk as part of my job but I'm not required to stand all day unless its busy, I'm ok so long as I remain standing (though that hurts my feet). The moment I try to sit down, knee bent or not, there's sheer agony. Its so bad I could cry. But it goes away after about 15 minutes of sitting without moving, unless I was standing all day in which case I can barely move for hours.

Its at the front of my knee right at or below the kneecap.

Now the back of my knee doesn't hurt, the front of it does, and slightly below the kneecap.

Also the last two days, I've been at work and suddenly felt this painful tearing sensation right there.

There's an added problem where this leg is the same one that was damaged when I was hit by a car crossing the street in 2004.

Because of that, I'm never sure how serious an injury actually is. Whether its just all in my head (sometimes it actually means nothing. That knee hurts alot but not this bad), or not.

I was your opinion on how bad you think this might actually be. Do you think its all in my head from the normal aches and pains from that knee? Or should I head to the doctor asap? I can't afford time off work.

Want your opinion, I mean.

See, right now its ok but I've been sitting for about 2 hours so I can walk. But my limp is pronounced today (normally you can't tell I have one) because I'm trying to keep as much pressure off that leg as possible.

Oddly, if I put some kind of tourniquette on it tightly wrapped around my knee, it feels a bit better.

Its not bleeding or black and blue. It just really hurts.

Answer 1

Never take chances with something like this.
You might have a microscopic tear in your knee and not even know it!
It could be as simple as a pinched nerve.
If putting something tight around it helps the pain, it could be that you are putting the pinched nerve back in place, thereby relieving the pain.
Why can't you see a doctor off work hours?
Look, the Dr. will most likely order a x-ray of your knee.
Prescribe a anti-inflammatory drug, just a really strong aspirin.
Its better to be safe than sorry.
Also, elevate your leg above your heart to take pressure off of what is causing this.
See if you can soak your knee in Epsom salt.
I'm not a Dr. but I do know that knee problems are not something to play around with.
I would hypothesis that your standing all day is taking a toll on your knee.
If you decide to not go to the doctor, then consider buying one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Donjoy-Armor-Sports-Knee-Brace-Support_W0QQitemZ350003525173QQihZ022QQcategoryZ67657QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
ALSO~~~~
Ask your boss if you can sit in a chair while you are at work.
Any reasonable boss will say yes.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Love,
Joseph

Answer 2

I'm not sure what it is or what you should do. Okay just try going to the doctor and talking to him about it. If you want my opinion it looks pretty serious. I had a similar problem with my neck. If I moved it a little bit it hurt so much and I kept it in one place. Moving like a milimeter hurt! Anyway later I saw that sometype of bone was sticking out and my neck was slanted. Eventually it just went away in a day or 2. Since you have a bigger body part try massaging the area if it hurts don't. Don't strain the area to do so much things. Also try to that hot and cold thing. Try to get in those creams that makes a minty feeling that makes the pain more bearable. After some good rest and a good diet (the nutrients you need to repair the area like protein) for about 3 days and there is no improvement go to the doctor It;s either a strained muscle, discplaced knee, factured knee, or a combination of those or it could be something else. All those things could usually heal themselves but going to the doctor will speed up recovery. Wait 3 days. If you really don't want to go go after a week of no improvement. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm not a doctor and my knowledge of medical injuries is limited, however I'll try to comment since no one else has of late. Well I use to stock and hurt my knees but it was a different type of injury, mine accuminated over time. If you have medical then I don't see why you shouldn't go just to get it checked out. I would adviced you to go in. If you don't have medical and money is an issue then I would still advice you to go to a clinic of sorts to make sure things are alright. The type of theraphy I went through for my injury was taking anti-inflamatories like ibuprofen, Using ice packs over my knee for about 15 mintues 3 times every now and then. bengay type ointment or heating pad, a wet towl thats warm could work too most likely, resting the knee and using a knee brace, and so on. But your injury might be different. I think ice, heat, anti-inflamatories and such will help but if its more serious you will probably need to go in. Adios

Answer 4

Well i think you should go see a doctor because you could have hurt yourself really bad but you don't know it. And if the doctor says you need to rest wait a couple days and put ice on it you should ask for some X-rays because i know for one thing that my doctor does not have X-ray visions. Your doctor might be telling you something but your body and mind are telling you something else.

Answer 5

The pressure that was used while standing helped to eleviate some of the pain, I suggesst that you go see a doctor or a physical therapist.

Goddess Bless.
Blessed Be.

Answer 6

You should ice it for 20 minutes every 2 hours all day to help reduce swelling and pain. Heat would increase the circulation to that area and in turn increase your pain and swelling.