Knee injuries - when to see an ortho?

[Star Gazer]

This morning during bootcamp (literally, during the first 10 seconds of running) I tripped over a raised portion of the pavement and slammed down hard straight onto both knees. I mean, HARD. I'm all bloody and bruised (I'm always fascinated by my ability to cut myself through clothing, without tearing the clothing...).

 

Anyway, each knee has a different issue.

 

The right one hurts when I'm walking. It hurts on the back/inside (I can't really tell where it hurts), and only hurts right when my heel is about to lift off the ground for another step - like when my leg is at its most extended point. It kinda feels like a weird tendon or something.

 

The right one hurts on the front, like my knee cap area, maybe a little bit downward. Obviously this is partially due to the tenderness from the gaping wound on my knee () but the pain I'm referring to is more internal, like mechanical. It particularly hurts when I'm going down stairs, I cannot put pressure on this knee when it's in a bent position.

 

I strained both MCLs (which I know are totally different than this) last ski season, so I'm kinda nervous when it comes to knee injuries, particularly because I want my knees to be okay for the upcoming ski season.

 

I know this JUST happened and so I'm going to be sore and such for a few days, but I'm wondering at what point - if at all - I should see a doctor. Two days? Five days?

 

I'm also wondering if I should be only icing, or icing and using heat.

 

Any ideas?

[Jaytb]

This morning during bootcamp (literally, during the first 10 seconds of running) I tripped over a raised portion of the pavement and slammed down hard straight onto both knees. I mean, HARD. I'm all bloody and bruised (I'm always fascinated by my ability to cut myself through clothing, without tearing the clothing...).

 

Anyway, each knee has a different issue.

 

The right one hurts when I'm walking. It hurts on the back/inside (I can't really tell where it hurts), and only hurts right when my heel is about to lift off the ground for another step - like when my leg is at its most extended point. It kinda feels like a weird tendon or something.

 

The right one hurts on the front, like my knee cap area, maybe a little bit downward. Obviously this is partially due to the tenderness from the gaping wound on my knee () but the pain I'm referring to is more internal, like mechanical. It particularly hurts when I'm going down stairs, I cannot put pressure on this knee when it's in a bent position.

 

I strained both MCLs (which I know are totally different than this) last ski season, so I'm kinda nervous when it comes to knee injuries, particularly because I want my knees to be okay for the upcoming ski season.

 

I know this JUST happened and so I'm going to be sore and such for a few days, but I'm wondering at what point - if at all - I should see a doctor. Two days? Five days?

 

I'm also wondering if I should be only icing, or icing and using heat.

 

Any ideas?

 

probably as soon as possible. If you tore something you'll want to get it treated fast so you can recover faster.

[Star Gazer]

It should read the right one, then the left one. Whopsie.

 

Jay - wrong answer. I'd like to give it a few days, just to see... I hate the whole drama of going to the doctor. Do you think I'd screw myself over if I waited a few days?

[sb129]

Can you not see a physiotherapist separately from a doctor? Thats what I would do here, as the doctor would just refer me to one anyway and I would have to pay twice.

 

I am pretty sure that you should be icing it and elevating it rather than using heat at this stage.

[Star Gazer]

Can you not see a physiotherapist separately from a doctor? Thats what I would do here, as the doctor would just refer me to one anyway and I would have to pay twice.

 

I am pretty sure that you should be icing it and elevating it rather than using heat at this stage.

 

I'm not sure about the physiotherapist... not sure I've ever heard of one of those. Is that like a physical therapist? My insurance allows me to go whereever I want, but the relevant doctors seem to just identify themselves as general practitioners or orthopeadic surgeons.

 

You're probably right about the no-heat thing.

[sb129]

Yes its the same as a physical therapist- they specialise in the musculo-skeletal system .

 

I have a few friends who are PTs- they are great, sounds like exactly the right kind of injury to go and see one. Bummer you aren't here- anything that happens in an accident like that is paid for my the government.

[alphamale]

i think you should wait for two or three days and if its still the same or worse then see an orthopod. obviously nothing is broken or fractured cause if it was you'd be screaming in pain

[hotgurl]

This morning during bootcamp (literally, during the first 10 seconds of running) I tripped over a raised portion of the pavement and slammed down hard straight onto both knees. I mean, HARD. I'm all bloody and bruised (I'm always fascinated by my ability to cut myself through clothing, without tearing the clothing...).

 

Anyway, each knee has a different issue.

 

The right one hurts when I'm walking. It hurts on the back/inside (I can't really tell where it hurts), and only hurts right when my heel is about to lift off the ground for another step - like when my leg is at its most extended point. It kinda feels like a weird tendon or something.

 

The right one hurts on the front, like my knee cap area, maybe a little bit downward. Obviously this is partially due to the tenderness from the gaping wound on my knee () but the pain I'm referring to is more internal, like mechanical. It particularly hurts when I'm going down stairs, I cannot put pressure on this knee when it's in a bent position.

 

I strained both MCLs (which I know are totally different than this) last ski season, so I'm kinda nervous when it comes to knee injuries, particularly because I want my knees to be okay for the upcoming ski season.

 

I know this JUST happened and so I'm going to be sore and such for a few days, but I'm wondering at what point - if at all - I should see a doctor. Two days? Five days?

 

I'm also wondering if I should be only icing, or icing and using heat.

 

Any ideas?

 

I think you should wait at least until the swelling goes down in a couple of days. If it still hurts than go.

 

I would elevate it and ice it. avoid stairs and heels as much as possible.

 

The bolded part is what struck me because last summer I experienced that same pain while going down stairs. and my left knee would get stiff at night.

 

it turned out to be tendinits. basically if you rest the knee it can go away. But if you don't rest it properly than the tendinitis becomes chronic. which unfortunetly is my case.

[Star Gazer]

So I wrote to a friend of mine who's a PT (can't see him, he's too far away), and this was his advice:

 

"Sweetie, don't fall down. It's bad for your knees."

 

 

Hotgurl, remarkably there really isn't any swelling. Odd?

[sb129]

I would probably give bootcamp a rest for a while.

 

Does your PT friend have anything a little more specific to advise?

[Star Gazer]

I would probably give bootcamp a rest for a while.

 

Does your PT friend have anything a little more specific to advise?

 

RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

 

Kinda hard to work with both legs elevated, but I'm trying. I'm rotating them.

[Jaytb]

It should read the right one, then the left one. Whopsie.

 

Jay - wrong answer. I'd like to give it a few days, just to see... I hate the whole drama of going to the doctor. Do you think I'd screw myself over if I waited a few days?

 

ah, I see you already have your answer don't you? Wait a few days then I guess.

[alphamale]

Kinda hard to work with both legs elevated, but I'm trying.

have you tried sexual activity?

[Star Gazer]

have you tried sexual activity?

 

Not yet!

[FleshNBones]

This morning during bootcamp (literally, during the first 10 seconds of running) I tripped over a raised portion of the pavement and slammed down hard straight onto both knees. I mean, HARD. I'm all bloody and bruised (I'm always fascinated by my ability to cut myself through clothing, without tearing the clothing...).

 

Anyway, each knee has a different issue.

 

The right one hurts when I'm walking. It hurts on the back/inside (I can't really tell where it hurts), and only hurts right when my heel is about to lift off the ground for another step - like when my leg is at its most extended point. It kinda feels like a weird tendon or something.

Sounds like swelling.

The right one hurts on the front, like my knee cap area, maybe a little bit downward. Obviously this is partially due to the tenderness from the gaping wound on my knee () but the pain I'm referring to is more internal, like mechanical. It particularly hurts when I'm going down stairs, I cannot put pressure on this knee when it's in a bent position.

Sounds like your kneecap or the groove it moves on is inflamed. There is more pressure on it when in the bent position.

I strained both MCLs (which I know are totally different than this) last ski season, so I'm kinda nervous when it comes to knee injuries, particularly because I want my knees to be okay for the upcoming ski season.

Knees are usually slow to heal.

I know this JUST happened and so I'm going to be sore and such for a few days, but I'm wondering at what point - if at all - I should see a doctor. Two days? Five days?

Look for someone that specializes in sports medicine. Call and tell them your symptoms. I think sooner would be better.

I'm also wondering if I should be only icing, or icing and using heat.

Stick with RICE for now, and don't ice for too long.

You are probably looking at 2-4 weeks of full rest.

[Star Gazer]

Sounds like swelling.

Sounds like your kneecap or the groove it moves on is inflamed. There is more pressure on it when in the bent position.

Knees are usually slow to heal.

Look for someone that specializes in sports medicine. Call and tell them your symptoms. I think sooner would be better.

Stick with RICE for now, and don't ice for too long.

 

Thank you! That was very helpful!!!

 

(In case you didn't see above, I meant to describe two different knees... first my right, then my left. One hurts in back

the other hurts in front

.)

 

You are probably looking at 2-4 weeks of full rest.

 

Oh lord, please say it ain't so!!!

 

Like FULL rest, as in no working out??

[westernxer]

Take an anti-inflammatory too.

[hotgurl]

So I wrote to a friend of mine who's a PT (can't see him, he's too far away), and this was his advice:

 

"Sweetie, don't fall down. It's bad for your knees."

 

 

Hotgurl, remarkably there really isn't any swelling. Odd?

 

externally. You probably have some selling going on internally.

[freestyle]

20 minutes on , 20 minutes off with ice.

 

When you sleep, putting a pillow under the knees while on your back will help with pain.

 

If you sleep on your side , a pillow placed between the knees will also ease your discomfort, as well as taking pressure off your spine.

 

I've read that fresh (NOT frozen or canned) pineapple has an enzyme that acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.

[Star Gazer]

When you sleep, putting a pillow under the knees while on your back will help with pain.

 

If you sleep on your side , a pillow placed between the knees will also ease your discomfort, as well as taking pressure off your spine.

 

Oh good, I did something right! I did that last night. The pillow was all bloody from my knee when I woke up.

 

They both feel considerably better today, particularly the left one (which hurt in front). Now I'm just concerned about the bloody one, as it hurts in the back/inside in a weird way.

[sb129]

SG- rest rest rest is really important. You don't want to make it worse by putting too much strain on it too soon.

 

I know you are gutted about not working out for a week or so but it will be better for you in the long run....

[Lauriebell82]

Oh lord, please say it ain't so!!!

 

Like FULL rest, as in no working out??

 

Yeah, definately. You don't want to injure yourself even more, then you will be in even more trouble.

[Star Gazer]

So it's been almost 6 days, and I still hurt.

 

I am known to be a bit of a "Google doctor" (Google is my friend), and I think I've determined that I have a PCL strain or tear on the right. But I also have this odd pain in the front, kinda under the knee cap, that I can't even articulate.

 

Anyway, I made an appointment with "the best knee guy in town" but can't get in until next week.

 

*Sigh*

[sb129]

Take it easy until then madam... knees are not to be trifled with.

[FleshNBones]

I am predicting Patellar Subluxation in both knees. Complete healing would require at least 6 weeks.