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Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:43 pm
by ScottHanson
Anyone have knee pain out there? I have had pain in the left knee for the last six weeks. It could be an old age thing for a guy in his 60's. The Doc took x-rays recently and says a "rough" spot on femur is irritating the knee cap area. He recommends icing and taking pain reliever. That may reduce limited swelling, but I not sure it solves the problem. May have to ask orthopedic guy to "sand off" the rough spot on femur or just accept I have "old knees"! Yikes!

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 8:48 pm
by Bark Eater
Scott, you absolutely should only consider an orthopedic procedure as a method of last resort. Go to a good sports medicine doc and look for a biomechanical cause...changes in alignment, changes in foot strike, imbalance in muscle group strength. It could be as simple as getting into the wrong pair of shoes. That said, ice and ibuprofen are our friends as you get older! Keep in mind that ibuprofen at 400 mg is a pain reliever-analgesic. Ibuprofen at 800 mg is an anti-inflammatory...as long as your stomach can handle it. Good luck!

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 2:05 pm
by Sierra Ledge Rat
Knee pain? I've had debilitating knee pain for 15 years.

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 4:50 pm
by mconnell
Mine is not usually debilitating, but I've also had knee pain for over 15 years. Until it stops me from doing the things that I want, I'm not letting a doctor mess with it. (I was told by one Dr that I needed surgery, another said just to deal with it. I'm going with the second for now.)

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:38 am
by Ze
speculation, but probably rough cartilage that gets inflamed with improper patella tracking, and like mentioned above a good PT could be able to diagnose a set of exercises / stretches to help strengthen proper muscles to improve tracking. Icing is always great to help reduce inflammation.

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 5:35 pm
by ScottHanson
Ze,
I like your comment on improper patella tracking. As we march through the decades, I have noticed more "sloppiness" in my knee reacting to a brain/nerve signal for it to move (boulder hopping, lateral movement in tennis, etc). So yes, I probably need to strengthen the patella area. A few years back an orthopedic guy recommended I do leg lifts from a weight station chair with small weights to strengthen said area. Thanks,
Scott

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:20 pm
by jdenyes
Hey!
You should DEFINITELY see an orthopedic knee specialist. They are not just about cutting! IF, there is actually a small bone deformity causing your problem, nothing is going to make it better until you remove the deformation. IF, it is not the problem, they will be the best person to recommend insoles, physio, exercises, or whatever.

I had a "tiny" accident in the summer. Tripped, thought nothing of it. Turns out I tore the cartilage in my hip because I had a small bone "deformity" or it was a bit misshapen, it had never caused a problem until this little accident, and then everything just went downhill. In January (after four months of seeing an orthopedic team who recommended physio and conservative methods first above all) they did the surgery to re-shape the joint and allow the bones to fit together properly, and repair the cartilage damage. Without removing that peice of the bone, nothing would have let that heal.

A "rough" spot is not going to go away with painkillers and ice, we play through the pain too often I think. I was a bit sceptical such a little trip could have such a big consequence, but at three months post operation, oh baby was it the right decision. And, I never felt pressured or pushed, or that the surgen just wanted to cut, they really made me do months of physio to make sure it wouldn't get better on its own.

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:30 pm
by Princess Buttercup
Scott: def agree with getting a PT referral. Be REALLY specific about your activities and find a PT who understands exactly what sort of silliness you enjoy getting yourself into. Makes all the difference in the world in development of a proper exercise program to attempt to remedy the problem.

The most aggressive course (be it surgery OR a high-level exercise program) is not always the best course. If it is a fine-tuning issue, esp patellar tracking, a lighter touch may be indicated to retrain first, then get jumping later.

-L

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 12:24 am
by Ulu
I've heard good stuff about Lurosil in the biking community. http://www.lurosil.com/default.aspx

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 5:15 am
by ScottHanson
Thanks for all of your helpful comments! I have a planned visit with orthopedic specialist next week to see what more can be done than just icing the knee. I have not heard of Lurosil, but am taking a supplement with glucosamine-chrondroitin. I definitely will pursue a PT approach before choosing a surgery option. Laura, thanks for distinguishing between fine tuning and high impact PT. Good point! I would be willing to write off the 2013 hiking/climbing season, if it means a healthy body in 2014 and beyond. I have a late June wedding planned, and hope to not participate in a wheel chair! Haha! Maybe the perspective bride will have second thoughts!! Yikes!!

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 6:17 pm
by jdenyes
Any news? As a sad depressed couch bound hiker battling a hip surgery recovery and an extremely strange, and apparently, confusing knee problem, I would love to know what your ortho said if you don't mind sharing :-)

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:57 pm
by ScottHanson
I visited the ortho specialist last week. He has recommended six weeks (two times per week) of PT sessions. So far the PT has involved leg strength building exercises (heel raise, leg raise, bridging). But most interesting was a massage around the kneecap that I believe took some pain away from knee using lymph system. After nine weeks of steady pain, this technique has lowered pain slightly. Yipeee!

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:19 pm
by Princess Buttercup
Kinesiotape!!! :D

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Mon May 13, 2013 8:07 pm
by ScottHanson
Update for those interested:
I have now been to six PT sessions in the last three weeks. The pain in the left knee is substantially reduced but not totally gone. Working with several exercises and reps increasing each week. A goal is to build up left leg strength closer to strength in the right leg. Funny how we compensate for an injury and get our total body out of whack (out of balance). Yes, I have tried the kinesiotape, Laura. Lucky if I can keep it on for a couple of days before it starts to peel off (due to daily showers, etc). I will likely test the knee on Multnomah Falls blacktop hike (600 feet elevation gain) in the next couple of weeks. All for now!

Re: Prolonged knee pain

PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2013 8:51 am
by jdenyes
Thanks for the continued updates! I am a bit of a ghoul when it comes to knee problems, it turns out I may have an entrapped nerve that has been the cause of my headaches (figuratively speaking) but I am glad yours is getting better so rapidly. It is funny how we compensate, and how something seems so obvious once our physio points it out :-).

With the kinesio tape, if you really grind it on there when they apply it, it can help stay on longer. Also, you should make sure they round the edges, less things to catch and pull it off. The last thing I do to keep it on longer is a bit funny, I tried some of those 'muscle cream patches' which come with a weird net stocking creation to keep the pads on longer, I would put that over the kinesio tape when I did my water massage therapy to stop the jets ripping it off. If you really want to keep it on :-)
Happy convalescing