knee pain

[Tennis Ball Hitter]

Hello,

I seem to have a bit of pain in my right knee, on the medial [inside] side. I can feel the pain when standing with my knees locked [ie straight]. Poking and rubbing the area with a finger does not really seem to locate the pain.

The pain is dull and there was no swelling. Its been around a couple of days and I can't really pinpoint what caused it. I have looked at Marius sites but there seem to be no articles which address this.

A bit of googling seem to point to meniscus problems, any one have any ideas on what the problem is and how to "fix" it.

thanks

[Marius_Hancu]

I have looked at Marius sites but there seem to be no articles which address this.s

there are some very good knee forums there. did you post in them too. very knoledgeable people too.

also, did you visit an orthopedict surgeon? knee issues are difficult, you must be seen by a doc, have an MRI, etc. someone qualified must see your knee.

[Tennisaurus]

Could be a medial meniscus tear. You will need an MRI to confirm. Do you feel pain a day or so after you play? Do you limp, even a little, the day after?

If a meniscus tear, orthopedic will tell you the grade level of the tear. Usually a grade 1 or 2 won't require surgery. Many athletic people live with meniscus tears their entire lives with no issues if it doesn't stop them from their usual activities.

The key question will be : "How do you feel?" Surgery will be a decision between your ortho and you.

Some reccomendations I had received :
1. Rest.
2. Build up the quadriceps. (Leg extensions), and also build up the hamstrings (leg curls). Etc.
3. Take Glucosamin/Chondroitin
4. Take Sam-e (another possible joint/cartilage support supplement.)
5. Drop weight to reduce pressure on knees.
6. Use padded insoles to cushion your walking.
7. Double socks when you play.
8. Go back slowly to activity and increase levels cautiously.
9. Wear knee braces when you are starting your way back to playing again. (Neoprene, elastic, etc.)
10. Try to limit the high-impact activities as much as possible.


If all else fails, and the pain is too much that it interferes with your day to day activities, then, there may no other choice than surgery. If the meniscus could be sutured, great. Depends on location. Recovery takes longer. If it can't be sutured, then, the torn area needs to be removed - reducing the size of the meniscus but alleviating the pain/locking of knee. You could be playing again at full strength in 2 months. However, the downside is that reducing the size of the meniscus may create a conition that permits osteoarthritis to develop. Its a very individual situation.

I am not a doctor, you should schedule an appointment with one and get his read on your condition.

Good luck.

[Radical97]

Great advice. Also no swelling is good for starters. Hows the movement, bending and straightening compared to the other knee?

[Tennis Ball Hitter]

It seems to have gone away now ... I can't seem to replicate that pain anymore. But even when I did have it bending and straightening was not hindered. I just felt the dull pin when standing straight.

On the other hand I seem to have ITBS [self diagnosis so I could be wrong]. Grrrr ... stupid knee. Sharp pain lateral side of knee when weight bearing and bending knee down. Well I think I have had it for a while I have just been trying to ignore it http://www.aimoo.com/forum/images/messageicon/embarrassment.gif

I found some Walt reynolds ITB special exercise for this, anyone tried? And the ITBS stretch

[Tennis Ball Hitter]

I have one more question about the quadricep exercise machine in the gym. Thats the one where you sit and then you straighten your leg? I am fairly sure that correct.

Is there a incorrect way of doing this, imparticular, where should my toes be pointing or doesn't it matter. I remember reading about knee problems a while back where yo could work one side of the quadricep by doing something [like pointing the toes out or something like that]

[Marius_Hancu]

I think you're talking about the leg press machine.

I would avoid that and do instead squats or squats with a swiss ball against a wall or wall squats

reason is I think that machine at large loads can create problems for your cartilage as it blocks you; it did for me and I had to take Glucosamine to recover; only doing squats since

I think the body is fixed there, which can create a false feeling of safety, i.e. one is lead to try to lift too much

anyway, check some recommendations here
I think the main point is not have to have the toes more to the inside than your heels, as you want to avoid your knees to flex towards the inside http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/SL45LegPress.html

the full directory is here:
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

[BabolatFan]

Great thread by Tennisaurus. I started having a lateral meniscus ligament tear in my left knee 2 months ago. It's healing properly now after doing light exercises and soft tissue massages. One of the main reasons I first got the injury was that my quads and hamstrings weren't strong enough for grueling matches and some explosive jumps.
Hopefully I can return to my normal play in the short future.