Knee pain

17 years ago

I did a search and found some posts on knee pain but I am not sure mine is the same. My knees have always been tender when I kneel down on them on hard surfaces. I have to use a cushioned pad when gardening. Now its the outside part of my knee that burns when I kneel down. It also feels puffy to the left of my left kneecap. My left one is worse but both hurt. I do aerobics that make the knee bend but we do not use steps. I also have Plantar Facisitis (SP?). Does anyone think its related or did I tear something?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

socks
17 years ago
It's possible that one situation is aggravating the other.

What I would do is go to the orthopedist to find out what is wrong with your knee. Good for you for doing aerobics, but you sure don't want to make the knee any worse.

As for the plantars, it's a curse, isn't it? I had it when I was on crutches for months--it was on the good foot, the one that was doing all the work. It took months to go away. What helped? Two visits to a therapeutic masseuse, stretching out the foot often, and always wearing soft shoes, never going barefoot, not even to the bathroom at night, and I kept a cushiony towel in the bottom of the shower.

Good luck.
mboston_gw
Original Author
17 years ago
My aerobics instructor thinks it my IT band, that comes from the buttocks around the knee. Its called the Iliotibial Band and the part right by the outer knee is called the Iliotibial Tract. If I touch that knobbybone below the knee cap, I can feel the pull at the side of the knee. A really strange feeling. This getting old sucks!
Related Discussions
Re- Need to vent-I'm so sad
Q
Comments (7)
I sympathize, rosies. You have not failed in any aspect, at all. You have done everything in your power to maintain your mother's health in the face of many obstacles. You must be very tired. I'm in year 3 of caretaking, too. Mum is losing her mental faculties now. Short term memory is waning, though physically she is quite healthy and fit, despite a stroke in '04 (did the mental damage). She has gone from an independent old woman, to one that must be really "cared for"... I get her up in the morning, see that she dresses herself, washes her face, fixes her hair. I prepare her breakfast, helpmeet does lunch, we split dinner. I put her to bed, see that she takes her pills, schedule the "bath lady", all the things that you have to do for an elderly parent. It's really hard! and you lose your own freedom. I haven't been out for dinner with the helpmeet "on the spur of the moment" for over 2 months now. I can't visit a greenhouse/nursery after work... I have to go right home, make sure the urostomy pouch is emptied, she has a glass of water, and that the sign is on the toilet reminding her NOT to empty the pouch again until it's time for bed. From the time I wake up until I go to bed I think about Mum and the next "chore" on the list... You have done as much as you can be expected to do. You've done it well, with love and commitment. It's OK to feel sad about what is changing in your life. But don't spend too much time feeling guilty even though it's part of the deal. (Tell the facility you would rather not have them shove so much garbage food into your mother. You are paying them to take care of her and you have every right to expect them to follow your wishes with respect to diet!)
...See More
Has anyone had success using a 10's unit?
Q
Comments (5)
Have you been seen by a physical therapist? That is the person who can give you the most info on exercises & Tens units. But they sometimes don't want to give info out. I asked at a hospital physical therapy unit if they had a page of placement spots for migraines for my tens unit that my dr. had ordered for me. They come with almost no info. The hospital people acted like I had lost my mind, asking for their secrets! No way, only patients here get that info. Since I didn't have insurance at the time I left. I didn't have much luck but few yrs ago I got another unit that seems to help more but Butterbur herb from Germany that they have to give kids now for their migraines- takes 3 mos of daily capsules to start working but some kids get rid of their headaches permanently after couple of years. Adults were supposed to get about 60% better. Sounded good to me. After 3 yrs on it I'm 85-90% better! Got a good part of my life back. Whole Foods has the herb. it hasn't had any side effects & no interactions with food or meds. Don't take hardly any migraine meds. Used to have daily headaches. Barometric changes still mess me up & smoke of any kind(so far no fires in mountains this year) Back to tens unit, I think it helped 2nd time around but I didn't keep up with it as I was doing so much better. This was while I had stress of 2 ill parents. I wonder if a glucosamine 1500mg-chondroitin-1200mg. Would help- it works on dogs & sure works on my joints. It has VitD3-1000mg added in 1 I get at Sam's Club but lot of them add MSM & I get sick from that so stick with 1 that works. It kind of strengthens or lubricates joints. The shots that are supposed to lubricate didn't work on friends that paid out of pocket for them.
...See More
knee replacement??
Q
Comments (7)
The link maire_cate gave has some good information. Hopefully your DF's orthopedist will give him all the answers he needs. I had my first knee replacement almost 16 years ago; I was 70 at the time and the expected "life" of the knee was 10-12 years. Regular XRays were used, and "bone-on-bone" seems to be the standard diagnosis used to decide on surgery. Prior to the KR, I had cortisone injections which were very helpful, some more so than others. I did water therapy for several years, and although it was fun, it never slowed down the pain. I still have that "past the warranty" knee, although it has begun to feel very tight and sometimes unstable. I've considered having it replaced but haven't talked with my doctor about it. There have been a lot of changes with KR procedures since then. I had the second KR done 6 years ago. The one thing I tell anyone about KR is that the surgery is a breeze; it is the therapy after the surgery that is hard and painful, but absolutely necessary. Your DF's age may not be a factor, but his general health could be. Be sure you have the best orthopedist in your area. Ask around. One note: does your DF have any swelling at the back of the knee? Could be a Baker's Cyst. Sue
...See More
3 tick bites--and the crazy price of Doxycycline!
Q
Comments (9)
I'm sorry to hear the ticks got you again, Susan. I know you have been struggling with tick-borne illnesses. I am on day 10 of 21 days of doxy because of a tick bite. I found the tick embedded on my ribcage. It was small, but not a deer tick. A nymph wood or dog tick, I guess. I pulled it off and didn't think anything of it, but kept it in the back of my mind. 4 days later I had a horrible headache, but just attributed it to the glass of cheap red wine I had. The next day I still had the headache, plus my neck was stiff and I just didn't feel right. I mentioned the bite and symptoms to my ER physician and he put me on doxy. I am a high energy person, and I finally got my energy back 3 days ago. I could not exercise, was tired all of the time, and just felt sluggish. With insurance, I paid 12.00, but I had heard that doxy was in a shortage. In anesthesia, we have been dealing with multiple drug shortages over the past several years, so to hear that was not a surprise. Any drugs that are off patent can become difficult to get. Then the drug companies can raise the prices.
...See More
littleonefb
17 years ago
The instructor may be correct but it is best to be properly diagnosed and then be treated for what is going on.

Your best bet is to see an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in knees to diagnose your knee problem and it would also be best to have your PF properly treated as well.

Both problems, left untreated with proper medical guidance and diagnosis will feed off of each other and continue to create havoc in your body. It can throw off your spine and create serious spinal problems as well.

I had PF once, and under proper medical treatment and custom orthotics, I have not had a problem in 10 years now.

Fran
bluezephyr
17 years ago
Another vote for custom orthotics for the PF. I had a serious case for many years and since the first three sets of orthotics(all from different podiatrists) didn't help I was planning to have surgery. I tried one more doctor and the 4th time was a charm.

Good luck with your knee.

Knee pain

Comments (4)

socks

mboston_gw
Original Author

Related Discussions

littleonefb

bluezephyr

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Knee pain

Comments (4)

socks

mboston_gwOriginal Author

Related Discussions

littleonefb

bluezephyr

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

mboston_gw
Original Author