Knees

digitalwolf · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:44

Hi there.

This may come across as a medical thread but it's just general advice i'm wanting.

For the past 6 months now, i've been having big knee trouble. It started off with my knee 'giving' in clubs when dancing etc. Not particularly painful but annoying.

Anyway, it's got worse and worse.

So much soo, dancing is a no go anymore. It's hard to describe how it feels, my knee just goes numb and bending it results in a lot of pain.

I had to pull over at the side of the road the other day as I couldnt dip the clutch on my car, the pain was that bad.

Would a knee support help me? I look like an idiot standing at the side of a dancefloor. Everyone thinks i'm being a party pooper!

Has anyone had this type of experience before?

I've been to doctors / physio's etc about this issue and all seem to think it may have been cause by too much running on hard, flat, surfaces when I was younger (indoor football).

This was back in school (2/3 years ago).

I go to a gym. Are there any particular exercises I can do to help me on this issue?

Red and White · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:46

surely a physio would have advised you on stuff like that

The Dread Pirate · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:46

Go see a better Doctor

shauncr91 · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:46

You went to a doctor and he diagnosed the potential problem, but didn't give you any advice? :confused:

Mat · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:47

Go back to the docs, knee him in the groin and say "See, it hurts, now tell me how to fix my knee!"

Nix · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:47

As obvious as this sounds; go and see your GP again. It really could be anything up with your knee; arthritis, problems with your cartilage, muscle problems, or an underlying medical issue, etc.

A knee brace will probably help, but it won't solve anything. Go find out what's wrong first.

digitalwolf · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:49

He sent me to an NHS physio. The physio watched me run / walk etc and said it may be due to the footwear I use. I had an X-ray done on my knee and nothing was found.

It only used to occur using certain trainers whilst playing football you see. Nike Total 90's to be precise.

Nowadays it's anything.

jr1104 · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:51

I play lots of indoor football, and I'm just hoping it doesn't come back and get me in later life.

[DOD]Asprilla · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:52

Have you tried going to see a podiatrist as well?

It could well be something to do with your gait which proper analysis could resolve.

Nix · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:52

digitalwolf said:
He sent me to an NHS physio. The physio watched me run / walk etc and said it may be due to the footwear I use. I had an X-ray done on my knee and nothing was found.

It only used to occur using certain trainers whilst playing football you see. Nike Total 90's to be precise.

Nowadays it's anything.

Have you tried just resting for a while? You might be aggravating something. Did your physio not give you any exercises to do?

Blue Cypher · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:53

It sounds like your cartilidge to me, im waiting for an op on my miniscous and cruciate ligament i have experienced everything you have said, if it is a cartilidge problem it will not show on an x-ray, go back to the GP and tell him you want an MRI scan, that should tell you whats going on.

digitalwolf · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:55

It started off with my achilles tendon. That was due to adidas trainers, I used to cry with pain (playing indoors) this was aged 6-7.

The knee pain is mainly at the bottom of the knee and to the left of it seems to swell at times (squidgy).

This is when I experience the pain.

semi-pro waster · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:56

I know you've been to see your GP and a physio but try going to another one, those ones seem to have been distinctly less than helpful.

Knee supports can help but you may end up causing more problems than you solve, pain is usually your body telling you to stop for a good reason. If you work round that you may cause more damage.

Majago · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:57

I have a similar problem developing in my right knee. Sometimes it'll be fine and I can run no trouble but then it'll just 'give way' and I can't walk on it. The problem seems to be on the outside of my knee and towards the bottom. Haven't seen the doctor yet, was hoping it would resolve itself by resting (only playing footy 3 times a week!).

jmhduck · 12 Sep 2008 at 10:58

My mates Dad did a tonne of road running when he was younger, had some knee problems sought medical advice and was told that he had the knees of a 40 year old, he was in his early 20's

. He had worn down the cartillege and can't really do any runing etc anymore hopefully not the same for you.

Delvis · 12 Sep 2008 at 11:04

I kinda have this problem...If I stand up too long, my knee area (all around it, including upper shin) get 'weak', and its more of an uncomfortable feeling, although it can be a pain feeling if I stand on it too long.

I used to skate a lot, and it started to hurt then as well, I would have to stop for 10 mins to recover...And running hurts after a while, even cycling =/

I brought a knee support from Elastoplast I think the brand is...It's quite big, covers the knee, and both leg edges if that makes sense, and it does help a lot if excercising, and while standing up. And dancing, it really does help while dancing! I've been to places uin Europe for 10 8 hour music sessions and it's been a blessing

I went to a physio, and he gave me 3 excercises to try and build up the tissue just above my knee, as he thinks that may be the problem, it's kinda helping, but it's hard to get the time to do them all the time.

I'll try and find the excercises online if I can

Diesel · 12 Sep 2008 at 11:05

I've had a similar problem caused by running on hard surfaces.

Obviously I'm not going into any detail, but my physio has given plenty of exercises to improve things.

digitalwolf · 12 Sep 2008 at 11:06

Nix said:
Have you tried just resting for a while? You might be aggravating something. Did your physio not give you any exercises to do?

I don't particularly do cardio activity on the ground anymore due to the pain.

I swim a lot but thats it for cardio.

I used to do a lot of biking which I was considering doing again.

I think squats at the gym may have caused it to flare up again (pain wise) but the knee (giving) has been an issue for quite a few months now.

Klytus · 12 Sep 2008 at 11:09

digitalwolf said:
It started off with my achilles tendon. That was due to adidas trainers, I used to cry with pain (playing indoors) this was aged 6-7.

The knee pain is mainly at the bottom of the knee and to the left of it seems to swell at times (squidgy).

This is when I experience the pain.

If it is giving way and causing you to fall (+/- locking) then this is often idicative of a menisci (cartilage) problem. If it is not causing you to fall it may be a kneecap tracking problem. A menisci problem would not show on an X-ray but neither would a biomechanical problem. I would have hoped that if it was either of these then your GP but especially your physio would have diagnosed it and given the appropriate treatment.

If it still no better and still causing problems you need further investigation, whether that be a review by a podiatrist to analyse your biomechanics or a review with an orthopaedic surgeon with a view to arthroscopic exploration/treatment or a scan. Go back to your GP.

digitalwolf · 12 Sep 2008 at 11:10

Majago said:
I have a similar problem developing in my right knee. Sometimes it'll be fine and I can run no trouble but then it'll just 'give way' and I can't walk on it. The problem seems to be on the outside of my knee and towards the bottom. Haven't seen the doctor yet, was hoping it would resolve itself by resting (only playing footy 3 times a week!).

Sounds like what I have been experiencing but the lower inside of the knee is where it hurts for me.

I nearly fell down the stairs last night because my knee just went.