Concerned I screwed up my knee big time. Advice appreciated

[Dave Ritsema]

My left knee has been kind of bugging me with aching for the last week. 55 years old, overweight and 26 years in the fire service, I just figured it was something that would go away. Last night I go to step up into my truck and all of a sudden excruciating pain, almost fell off the step board.

After standing there a minute and letting the stars in my vision subside I hobble back into the house. The pain is centered on the backside of my knee and bearing weight isn't too bad but can only lift my foot about 4 inches without terrible pain. Any lateral movement is bad as well. I can walk going slow without pain but stairs, especially going down hurts. getting up out of a chair is really difficult also.

I have hauled too many people to the ER for stupid reasons and will wait until Monday and see if I can get someone to look at it. The pain bothers me but what REALLY bothers me is a brand new 0 mile motorcycle waiting for me to come pick it up and I am very apprehensive this could affect my riding season.

Anyone here have any advice they can offer from their experiences?

[dinosnake]

Stay off it, start your heat/cold cycle treatments and keep it wrapped up tightly until you see your doctor.  Research which is best for you, hot or cold, based upon your symptoms.

It might be a simple case of tendinitis, it may be more.

[chauffeur]

I had similar symptoms with a torn miniscus.   Mine would go from no pain to excrutiating pain and back to no pain.  Sometime several times a day.  

Turns out that the tear is actually like a small flap in the miniscus cartiledge.  If the flap was sitting in it's normal position, there was no pain.  If it was flipped up or exposed, dibilitating pain.  

Had the knee scoped 16 years ago.  Solved the problem, I can't even remember which knee it was.  Surgery itself was not bad.   Standby for some serious pain 48 hours later (when the surgical pain killer wears off).  

Best of luck.  

[Hoser]

I had bursitis in my knee last fall and  fought it with my family doc for a while, ended up with a couple cortisone shots, was back in action in a couple days.  Get a specialist if you can.  Good luck. getting old sucks. Hoser

[JimC]

Sounds just like what I had last year. I had a really hard time getting on and off the bike because of the twisting. I had it scraped out about 6 months ago, and it has been pretty good since (knock on wood)
Took about a week after the surgery for it to be 90%, I still have some issues from arthritis, but nothing like it was.

Jim

[big d]

Dave, I will make the ultimate sacrifice. I will be headed to Illinois mid February for a wedding and knowing you are worried about your beautiful new bike not being ridden this coming season I am willing to hook the trailer up to the truck. I can detour by and pick the bike up on my way home and once the weather clears ride it till you are able to. If it takes a couple years that is fine with me as the wife wouldn't mind riding it either. Don't worry about storage as our barn is heated and will be taken care of.

Seriously I hope it was nothing too serious. Speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you at inzane.

[Michvalk]

What are you waiting for? More damage to occur? Get in, and get the xrays done. Your Dr. will need them, anyway. Maybe a support will help, but you might head off bigger problems if you just gitter' done

[solo1]

THAT sounds familiar.  Both of my knees are bad, bone on bone.  Last February the symptoms got worse, were similar to yours.  A prednisone shot helped and I'm taking a UC2 supplement.  My knees don't hurt all the time but I'm just postponing the inevitable.  Walking up and down stairs but especially down is bad.  I grab my pants leg to lift my left knee over the stoop in the car.   The left knee don't bend very well.  That's why I quit riding.

Get those Xrays to determine the cause.  It could be a number of things.

[Bighead]

I had similar symptoms with a torn miniscus.   Mine would go from no pain to excrutiating pain and back to no pain.  Sometime several times a day.  

Turns out that the tear is actually like a small flap in the miniscus cartiledge.  If the flap was sitting in it's normal position, there was no pain.  If it was flipped up or exposed, dibilitating pain.  

Had the knee scoped 16 years ago.  Solved the problem, I can't even remember which knee it was.  Surgery itself was not bad.   Standby for some serious pain 48 hours later (when the surgical pain killer wears off).  

Best of luck.  

More than likely this  
And  if it is, an X-ray will show nothing an X-ray will only show a fracture or arthritic changes. May I suggest 800mg of Ibuprofen every 8 hrs till you see the dr. It will help.
I have been working in Othropeadics for 30 yrs.

[Hooter]

MCL ?   MRI if it doesn't improve. But if it has been a bother may be worth one anyway? Been in mine 3 times. On crutches for 13 months the first time.    ???

[wiggydotcom]

Dave, I'm so hoping this hurdle(no pun intended) is nothing major. Regardless of what it is, you have plenty of time to be ready for riding season. Get it checked out soon and Good Luck!

[DirtyDan]

I had bursitis in my knee last fall and  fought it with my family doc for a while, ended up with a couple cortisone shots, was back in action in a couple days.  Get a specialist if you can.  Good luck. getting old sucks. Hoser

Hosers right this getting old aint for the faint of heart

worse things in life to loose than a knee

from experience
 
keep the chin up

dan

[Dave Ritsema]

Thanks all for the advice, going to try and get to an ortho tomorrow if possible and especially thanks to D for his selfless and generous offer. 

[fudgie]

It happened on duty right? 

Kidding aside get it looked at. My partner is off with rotator cuff problems. All he did was lift the monitor up to its mount.

[LTD]

Possible case of the Gout maybe?

[Bighead]

Gout normally starts in a small joint such as a toe or ankle first.

[cookiedough]

I had similar symptoms with a torn miniscus.   Mine would go from no pain to excrutiating pain and back to no pain.  Sometime several times a day.  

Turns out that the tear is actually like a small flap in the miniscus cartiledge.  If the flap was sitting in it's normal position, there was no pain.  If it was flipped up or exposed, dibilitating pain.  

Had the knee scoped 16 years ago.  Solved the problem, I can't even remember which knee it was.  Surgery itself was not bad.   Standby for some serious pain 48 hours later (when the surgical pain killer wears off).  

Best of luck.  

EXACT same thing I was thinking which I had as well, torn miniscus or you torn something or another.  Take ibuprofen as said to help some with the pain, but if you want to ride in late March, best get it checked out ASAP for me I let it go WAY, WAY too long like 10 months before I went in to a dr.  He pressed in one specific area and NO Xrays or MRI was needed he said, he knew exactly what it was.  Surgery went well very quickly in and out and he said was pretty torn up inside, but like said,  the first 48 hours was pure hell NOT being able to put any pressure on the knee at all was like I was on 1 leg for 2-3 days afterwards hurt like hell literally.  It has been a few years now and I'd say is 95% better but never 100% like it was before it happened.  He also said arthritis was setting in already during surgery and at the time, I was only 40 years old or so.  He said that age 40, give or take, is about when arthritis starts showing up which sucks getting old being only 40 and on the downslide not prime anymore. 

VERY strange though I NEVER knew what caused it we were on vacation up north in a cabin on a lake relaxing and when I woke up the next morning,  I could barely walk and was in severe throbbing pain and left leg/knee was VERY stiff.  ONLY thing I think could have caused it was I was lifting a very heavy duty trolling motor battery out of the small fishing boat and I twisted my knee around in the boat carrying it and my left knee tore open inside but didn't really  hurt at that time until the next morning when woke up was horrible.

Good luck and if it needs surgery,  best get it done NOW since recovery will probably be well over 1 month before you can comfortably put any serious weight on it like your cycle riding.  For me, it took nearly 2 months before I felt comfy enough to support the cycle's weight.  ONLY good thing is I got out of mowing the yard as well for like 3 weeks and even after that, was walking gingerly and very slow mowing the yard after that for a few months. 

Whatever you do,  make sure you TAKE AN EASY on your knee and don't twist or lift much at all before or especially AFTER surgery, if needed - take care!!!!

[RDAbull]

I had similar symptoms with a torn miniscus.   Mine would go from no pain to excrutiating pain and back to no pain.  Sometime several times a day.  

Turns out that the tear is actually like a small flap in the miniscus cartiledge.  If the flap was sitting in it's normal position, there was no pain.  If it was flipped up or exposed, dibilitating pain.  

Had the knee scoped 16 years ago.  Solved the problem, I can't even remember which knee it was.  Surgery itself was not bad.   Standby for some serious pain 48 hours later (when the surgical pain killer wears off).  

Best of luck.  
Dave,  I'd bet you a steak dinner to a happy meal this is what is happening.  Mine was torn up bad but really didn't hurt until the tear flap got caught the wrong way.  Stepped out of my truck one day and
Did a real face plant in pain, had to pull myself into the house on my elbows.  My knees were worse than most, broke both of them at the same time at Big Sky.  Eventually had to get them both replaced, hence the pretty red & White trike.

[Kep]

Been there ..got the t-shirt..Tore my Meniscus several years back ...MRI will quickley tell you what it is. Had it scoped and was back working in a week (wasn't cleared , but I had $$ to be made) Set a personal goal to lose wieght , went from 189lbs down to 158lbs in about 5 months..now hardly any knee pain at all even though Dr's said outer knee cartliage looked like a 19 year-olds and inner looked like a 90 year-olds.I know it's easier said than done ..but the weight loss was amazing as to how much knee pain it took away.I'm 55 and still play compettitive Softball ( and faster on the bases than most of the young studs) plus I work out 2-3 times a day and eat avery healthy diet....I feel better now than I did in my 20's........PS , if you have surgery...DO THE PHYSICAL THERAPY !  It may not be fun , but I've seen way too many people shortcut it and pay a heavy price later...it's worth the minor pain that you go though.Don't put off getting it looked at because you can do more damage to it that won't be as easy to recover from. Luck to you Dave

[Rams]

Have had knee issues for years, the only advice I'll give is, see you doctor as soon as possible and then ask to see a specialist.   They can do wonderful things now.   

[Jersey mike]

Have had knee issues for years, the only advice I'll give is, see you doctor as soon as possible and then ask to see a specialist.   They can do wonderful things now.   

I have to agree with Rams and everyone else, get to your doctor ASAP and they can "do wonderful things now.

2 years ago my son (17 at the time) tore his ACL and Meniscus and now he is 100%.

this procedure for his ACL is very similar to what they did to my son, it's animated so nothing graphic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=$1#errorNo longer available

good luck

[Master Blaster]

Another consideration, I had almost the same type of experience a couple of years ago.  Stepped up on the running board of my truck and started to get in, felt a tearing sensation in my hip.  Instant severe pain, and was almost unable to do anything.  At first thought it was a torn muscle, but later found out it was a hematoma.  I was on a powerful blood thinner at the time.  It took a little over a year to get over it.

[KG]

That's how you tell when you get old. You go from left knee and right knee to good knee and bad knee

[cookiedough]

Have had knee issues for years, the only advice I'll give is, see you doctor as soon as possible and then ask to see a specialist.   They can do wonderful things now.   

Yah, don't let it go for 10 months like I did in hopes it will heal all on it's own since I just thought I pulled something very badly and would heal all on it's own.  My regular Dr. referred me directly to the surgeon after the X-ray was negative, and the surgeon, like said, pushed in on 1-2 small pinpoint areas but was on my left knee on the inside part below the knee to the side of the knee but in front  and he tried moving knee specific side to side movement and when he did both, I screamed VERY badly hurt like heck.  He said NO MRI was needed and once he got done with surgery, he told me I should NEVER have waited that long to go and get it done since he said he cut out a HUGE chunk of flappy tissue just dangling there and am sure he said it only got worse in those 10 months of waiting for nothing.

I sure hope it is nothing major and say will heel all on its own in a month or so, but it may never heel all by itself that I know by waiting for so long.  If it hurts like heck almost enough to fall down, as in my case, side to side certain movements twisting my body/knee in certain directions, it is torn something or another probably.  I was probably off work 2-3 weeks for sure after surgery but is an office job so no running around as is the case in your job probably.  Just be sure to take it EASY for the first month if needing surgery since is critical for it to heel and that whole knee area will be tender from the surgery.   All depends on how bad it really is, may take 1-2 weeks or 1-2 months, but I never did any professional physical therapy only what the drs. told me to do at home to help strengthen the knee. 

[..]

Gout normally starts in a small joint such as a toe or ankle first.

 

[Mr Whiskey]

Another consideration, I had almost the same type of experience a couple of years ago.  Stepped up on the running board of my truck and started to get in, felt a tearing sensation in my hip.  Instant severe pain, and was almost unable to do anything.  At first thought it was a torn muscle, but later found out it was a hematoma.  I was on a powerful blood thinner at the time.  It took a little over a year to get over it.

First thing that came to my mind!
After our wreck I was fine, 'till I wasn't, then the pain was off the charts!
Back of left knee.
A clot is serious! See the Doc today, okay Dave?

[therapist]

Currently recovering from a knee procedure 5 days ago. Just got in from snow shoveling and walking the dog. It is still stiff and sore at times, but not bad. It was a torn meniscus repair and arthritis clean out. I had the other knee done around 10 years ago. Hopefully, that is all that is wrong with yours and you can go the simple, arthroscopic root. Needless to say, weight becomes more of an issue as we age, as those well worn joints don't hold us up as well, without crying Uncle. I am going to drop some pounds so that I don't have to go through this again anytime soon. Let us know what happens.

If you have it done now, should be plenty of time to heal before the new bike break in.  

PS-maybe we all jumped on the "meniscus bandwagon". The more I think of it, my pain was NOT from
the back of the knee. So, you may be dealing with something else entirely. Medical advice on a motorcycle board, what the hell do you expect. 

[Dave Ritsema]

Currently recovering from a knee procedure 5 days ago. Just got in from snow shoveling and walking the dog. It is still stiff and sore at times, but not bad. It was a torn meniscus repair and arthritis clean out. I had the other knee done around 10 years ago. Hopefully, that is all that is wrong with yours and you can go the simple, arthroscopic root. Needless to say, weight becomes more of an issue as we age, as those well worn joints don't hold us up as well, without crying Uncle. I am going to drop some pounds so that I don't have to go through this again anytime soon. Let us know what happens.

If you have it done now, should be plenty of time to heal before the new bike break in.  

PS-maybe we all jumped on the "meniscus bandwagon". The more I think of it, my pain was NOT from
the back of the knee. So, you may be dealing with something else entirely. Medical advice on a motorcycle board, what the hell do you expect. 

First and foremost Ron, I would rather get medical advice on a motorcycle board then motorcycle advice on a medical board! 

After the X-rays and poking and prodding was completed the diagnosis is moderate arthritis in both knees and possible meniscal tear in the left knee. The Dr. suggested based on the lessening pain that the tear may not be too bad and will get better over time after the swelling goes down. He offered a Cortisone shot but my concern was that could mask some of the pain and allow me to injure the joint further. I got a big clunky knee brace and was told to give it a few weeks and see how it goes. His words were that a knee replacement is in your future, if you live long enough. THAT was comforting. 

Thanks for all the helpful advice and encouragement, I know this is  insignificant to the health problems many face and I am thankful that should I need to take the next step that there are solutions to my problem. I will wear my brace faithfully, keep working on the weight loss and sadly have to retire from amateur cage fighting. I guess 55 is old enough.       

[Willow]

... may not be too bad and will get better over time after the swelling goes down. He offered a Cortisone shot ...

These two may be related.  The cortisone may accelerate the reduction of swelling that in turn will assist in your healing.

... His words were that a knee replacement is in your future, if you live long enough. THAT was comforting.  ...

  Which part was most comforting to you?   

[Dave Ritsema]

... may not be too bad and will get better over time after the swelling goes down. He offered a Cortisone shot ...

These two may be related.  The cortisone may accelerate the reduction of swelling that in turn will assist in your healing.

... His words were that a knee replacement is in your future, if you live long enough. THAT was comforting.  ...

  Which part was most comforting to you?   

We really do need a sarcasm font don't we? 

[Bighead]

Dave you should have taken the injection IMHO. We do several a day. Most don't use Cortizone anymore but a steroid called Depo-Medrol mixed with Lidocaine. Takes a couple days to settle in a work but the results can be a game changer.

[wiggydotcom]

Dave you should have taken the injection IMHO. We do several a day. Most don't use Cortizone anymore but a steroid called Depo-Medrol mixed with Lidocaine. Takes a couple days to settle in a work but the results can be a game changer.

Years ago, I had a bout with tennis elbow. It was considered work related so the medical department put me through heat treatments, cold treatments, Ultrasound, massage, etc. All the treatments worked great---temporarily.
The physical therapist kept saying, "If this doesn't work, you're going to need an injection!" Well, I have no problem with needles and said, "Bring it on." I think Cat medical was really putting it off because of the expense.
I was finally scheduled for the injection and I swear it only took a few hours to feel some relief and I was pain free in about 3 days. I think the steroid I got was also a muscle relaxer.

So I second the shot. Just my .02.

[cookiedough]

Not knowing your insurance on what it does or doesn't cover, but  I am just guessing that if you have very good insurance that covers most of the cost of an MRI, it would maybe show if there was a miniscus type of tear in the knee and be beneficial to do to rule that out or not.  At least then you know what you are dealing with if just arthritis?

My former co-worker also overweight same age about 55 gets shots in both of her knees all the time and says most help a lot, but apparently they can only do so many shots so often  and also is looking at needing both knees replaced but Drs. say will hold off on that as long as possible if you can bear the pain.  She is some days hobbling around like she is 90 years old and has nearly fallen down with her knee giving out several times and in severe pain. 

Sucks getting old, just don't OVERDO anything at all working or non-working wise.  You hopefully will adjust to that cumbersome knee brace but know they can be a pain in the keester to wear.