Knee problems, anyone?

[El Chucko]

For the first time, I have been having some minor knee issues lately, and I want to address them before they become major knee issues.

My right knee has been getting a "bubble" sort of feeling in it, and it almost seems to catch when I lunge. This causes a very brief, but intense pain. The "bubble" feeling is usually just above the kneecap. Should I wear a brace? Take anti-inflammatories? Ice it? See a doctor?

My left knee, just once, developed a different sort of malfunction last week. The pain came from a small discreet area on the medial side of the area just below the kneecap, and hurt most when I flexed and bent that leg. Oddly enough, when I was in bed on my side, it did not hurt when I used my other leg to bend it. It only hurt when it actively bent itself (if that makes sense). After 2-3 days, it went away, but it was very odd.

I would like to hold off on the give-up-fencing/walk-with-a-cane scene. What is some good advice for maximum knee health? I would wager that a few of you have had similar experiences...

[RITFencing]

For the first time, I have been having some minor knee issues lately, and I want to address them before they become major knee issues.

My right knee has been getting a "bubble" sort of feeling in it, and it almost seems to catch when I lunge. This causes a very brief, but intense pain. The "bubble" feeling is usually just above the kneecap. Should I wear a brace? Take anti-inflammatories? Ice it? See a doctor?

My left knee, just once, developed a different sort of malfunction last week. The pain came from a small discreet area on the medial side of the area just below the kneecap, and hurt most when I flexed and bent that leg. Oddly enough, when I was in bed on my side, it did not hurt when I used my other leg to bend it. It only hurt when it actively bent itself (if that makes sense). After 2-3 days, it went away, but it was very odd.

I would like to hold off on the give-up-fencing/walk-with-a-cane scene. What is some good advice for maximum knee health? I would wager that a few of you have had similar experiences...

Do you know Oleg out in Rochester? Coaches epee at UR, and is a physical therapist by trade. Until you can talk to an expert (if not oleg, then any PT, doctor or trainer,) I'd lay off of the fencing for a bit, or at least wear a brace to get some extra support.

[Chafunkta]

It sounds like what your are descibing is Patella Femoral, or more commonly known as "Runner's Knee." It's that pain you feel at the very top of your kneecap. You can read up on it anywhere on the internet. As far as treating it goes, you should definitely wear a brace. Also, after every practice use what's called the RICE method - Rest Ice Compression and Elevate. After practice, come home, get a bag full of ice (and a little bit of water), wrap the bag in an ace bandage around your knee and sit on the couch with your leg elevated. It's an excellent excuse to watch TV.

By the way, I am in no way a doctor or Physical therapist by any means. I got most of this information from WebMD. If your knee really hurts you, go see a professional. A hurt knee should be taken very seriously... they tend to not want to heal.

[keith]

I'd go with;


..SEE A DOCTOR.

On the other hand you could try a course of leeches.

[jeff]

What Keith said!

In particular: an orthopedic surgeon, board certified, and preferably one who specialises in sports medicine (active people over-using a few parts of their body).

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Try a chopat strap. Its not a fixit, but its a wonderful pain reliever. Something like this, there are alot of variations. http://www.comforthouse.com/comfort/chopatknestr.html

I have patellar tendonitis, and I use one of those.

[ThatReallyHurt]

I'd go with;


..SEE A DOCTOR.

On the other hand you could try a course of leeches.

Absolutely agree with this. Trying to fix yourself is one thing if you have a rash or something; it's entirely another if you're worried about one of the pieces that allows you to stand up or move. Get thee to a sawbones.

[ReverseLunge]

You should wear knee pads. My wife does.

[parryDoh]

See a sports med doctor not a family doctor! I have runners knee in both legs, sports med doc gave leg strengthing exercises and stretches. And they work, I am not completely better but all most there.

[Elemental]

I too have patella tendonitis. It can suck.

Whatever your pain is being caused by a physical therapist can give you stretches and excercises that can reduce the pain.

[bmcfencer]

Yeah, Absolutely see a doctor. Wish I had. Maybe I wouldn't be a nineteen year old with tendonitis and osteoarthritis now if I'd seen a sports doctor when the pain started (my family doctor was like, "hmm. Take some ibuprofen").

[epeeisky]

I have had several knee problems due to a congenital knee defect. The best thing to do is see an Orthopedic Surgeon. It does not sound like you have teared anything very important inside your knee. It sounds like there is something wrong with one of the patellar ligaments, and if that is the case you need to get a knee brace that does not put any pressure on the patella, but rather takes the pressure of of it. As Chafunkta said use the RICE method until you see a doctor. Also follow the general rule of if it hurts dont do it.

P.S. I am not a doctor or med health professional, just very experienced with knee problems

[fencergal33]

Definitely see a doctor....

I had 2 knee surgeries (on the same leg) before I was 20. One was from skiing when I was about 14, the other one was from dance. I was a ballet dancer for a really long time. Your knees are nothing to mess with! I still have problems. I wear a brace (that I'm allergic to, BTW, but that's a wole different thread.) The problem with putting a brace on something and going about your merry way, is that wearing a brace may give you more stability, but it essentially weakens the muscles AROUND the troublsome joint. Those are important, because weakness in them can often be the cause of injuries. Make sure you try PT before surgery. Some doctors want to cut you open for the first little ache you feel. Make sure you get 2 or more opinions and weigh them equally before you decide what you should and shouldn't do. Sometimes surgery is the best answer, sometimes it's not.

From a non-medical person who knows a little bit about knee problems: I think the bubble knee has some fluid in it, may need to be drained, may go away on it's own. The other one sounds like a miniscal tear (that was my first surgery). Not very serious, but does require a minor surgery. You'll be up and fencing about 2 weeks later with minimal problems.

Definitely get them checked out though. The longer you wait, the more trouble they'll give you with age.

Good luck!

[Chafunkta]

P.S. I am not a doctor or med health professional, just very experienced with knee problems

Yep, he's verrrrry experienced with those knee problems.

[parryDoh]

(my family doctor was like, "hmm. Take some ibuprofen").

My family doc just told me stop fencing and heal up, I quit for a while healed up, fenced again and hurt again. Sports Doc told me keep fencing, treatment didnt require me to stop.

[dilznik]

I had an issue where my right knee started to hurt if I sat with it bent for long periods. I'd have to stretch it out or else it would start to hurt. The long period became a short period and when stretching my leg out there was a loud crack. Turned out to be a meniscus problem. Now it cracks all the time. Wheeee!

[fatfencer]

Hey folks,


I got my MRI awhile back thinking that there was going to be evidence of a meniscal tear. there wasnt!!! YAY

But when i went to the PT I found out what was really happening.

MY IT bands and and the muscles that attach to the knee from the groin area are both so tight that the patella gets pulled in funny ways.

BAsically massage therapy and stretching are the only thing I can do to get relief.

I have knee laxity in both but so much worse in the left that I use a knee brace for lessons and bouting.

The PT guy says this is common amongst athletes.... its very hard to stretch I.T. bands.

If the outside of your leg is tight and hurts when you press on it.. start stretching.

Fatfencer

[Zilverzmurfen]

• MRI
• PT
• I.T. bands

As a non-native english speaker I didn't quite understand all of those abbreviations. Would you care to spell them out?

[natsgrant]

Go see a professional sports/ orthopaedic consultant. In fact, see two. Make sure you are completely comfortable with what they recommend and that you understand it clearly. Your knees are not be messed with!

As for RICE... Consider freezing some milk instead of water: it melts much more slowly and you can watch more TV!!

All the best with your knees
Nats

[dilznik]

As a non-native english speaker I didn't quite understand all of those abbreviations. Would you care to spell them out?

MRI = Magnetic resonance imaging... known in most of Europe as magnetic resonance tomography (MRT)

PT = physiotherapist

IT Bands = Uh... not sure. Maybe the bands that Cisco, Apple, or Microshaft employees put together in their free time.