31 F, fit and sporty, I had a multi ligament knee injury last year (ACL, PCL, posterolateralcorner, meniscus, tibial plateau and fibula fractures), so literally my knee was fucked up. The first surgeries were a mess so I ended up with severe medial OA. I had a high tibial osteotomy, and my PCL is lax. Doctor told me that in the near future I will need a knee replacement but a total one, not a partial one because of my lax PCL. Had anyone a total knee replacement at a young age? How the sport life is going on? I used to trail run and ski... TIA.

Yesterday I fell on my back on the grass. It wasn't that bad. For a few hours I felt normal. But then I went dancing, which is when I started to feel a pain on the back of my knee.

The pain gradually got worse. Its been 24 hours now and I can not bend or fully open my leg. I feel a very sharp pain when I put it in a wrong position; which is every time I sit down, get up, walk, and climb stairs.

Its really annoying since I'll have to cancel my weekend plans. I just want to know if it will go away on its own or if this sounds like something a bit more serious

I used a burning cream my friend uses for her back pains, but it didn't really help so far.

I used to be an avid runner, but after the NYC Marathon two years ago, I began experiencing dull pain in my left knee, only when running. After ignoring it and hoping it would go away for a year, I finally saw a doctor. An MRI basically diagnosed me with arthritis, grade 3 patellar chondrosis & mild diffuse partial thickness of the articular cartilage. I also have a defect on my knee (bipartite patella) that probably aggravated this issue further.

This knee problem does not affect my daily life except making me sad that I can’t run long distances anymore. Marathon Sunday makes me depressed now. 😭

Anyway, I tried PT but it does nothing because i’m already pretty strong in the quads and glutes (I used to be a competitive gymnast and go to the gym regularly).

I’m looking for advice here..does anyone in NYC or Brooklyn have a specialist that they’d recommend who is used to working with athletes? And also, I really don’t want to do surgery so i’m looking for alternative treatments.

Hey everyone.

So I've been dealing with this knee pain for quite some time now, maybe a year, and I can't find any other reports of a similar issue. Wondering if anyone had any input.

32yr Male. Athletic. Not overweight.

So basically my left knee only hurts in a very specific location and with a very specific movement, but it's enough to be super annoying.

The location is here https://imgur.com/a/H5TF6Ey

Location description: Outside of the left knee. it seems to hurt in the little dimple / gap between the top of the fibula and the knee cap. Possibly at the joint line but I'm not sure.

Movement description: The pain is most intense and noticeable in a "stepping down" motion. Such as when stepping down a big step while hiking. It's also very pronounced when performing a "Patrick step" as shown here: https://youtube.com/shorts/qhiq-YzS-so?si=4IO6kM6c078Usujc

I feel a painful pinch or click sensation about half way through the Patrick step that then subsides through the rest of the motion. It seems to happen at a very specific degree of flexion. No noticeable locking or catching or anything else.

Additionally a traditional leg extension machine at the gym causes pain when lowering the weight back to the starting position.

Most activities are fine. I'm a climber, hiker, snowboard, etc. Mostly outdoor athletics. Running seems to be fine. Squatting is fine. I can do almost everything that I want to do, but stepping down big steps and especially snowboarding in powder are incredibly painful. The snowboarding mimics the Patrick step in a way such that the back (left) leg is bent with knee slightly over toes and it causes the pain which makes snowboarding difficult.

The best that I can describe it is that something "pinches" in my knee when lowering, but only for a split second and then it subsides through the rest of the range of motion.

Any ideas? Thanks so much!

I have a arthroscopic knee procedure scheduled for next week. I’m curious if the recovery is really that bad? I really don’t understand why the recovery would take 4-6 weeks if they are not repairing any tendons and just scrapping some excess tissue.

Context: I have had an IT band issue going on for 5 months. I have done PT, scheduled anit-inflammatories, and a cortisone shot. The cortisone shot worked but wore off after six weeks, and they can only give one every 3 months. The issue is actually from the knee, not the IT band. I have excess tissue on the outer portion of the knee that gets inflammation after longer periods of running, the inflamed tissue then rubs the IT Band to the point I can’t walk. After the inflammation goes down I’m back to normal, hints why the cortisone shot worked.

I’m in good shape and run 25-40 miles a week.

Am I completely ignorant to think I could start back doing short runs within 7 to 10 days?

If so, how are you doing and how does it feel? Are you able to walk far or do much? Are you having surgery? It feels weird and quite scary to be walking around without the main ligament holding your kneecap in place.

It's been 4 months of hobbling for me, with a host of horrible symptoms like prodding, buzzing, cramping, twitching, tenderness, swelling and lack of ROM. I keep getting bad toe cramps/spasms once I do around 1000 steps a day too. I only found out it was ruptured last week and I'm having the MPFL reconstruction surgery, but need to get more ROM back with physio first. Kind of explains why I'm not really healing after my worst kneecap dislocation in July.

I'm trying not to do much, but sometimes even then it's too much. I kind of feel like I'm in limbo until I get the surgery. Just got to take it easy, keep comfortable and work on ROM in the meantime.

Any advice and/or similar stories appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I recently injured my knee and after going to an orthopedic urgent care was diagnosed with an mcl sprain. The provider I saw did all the classic stress tests and what not and she said she suspects it is MCL. She did not use the terms grade 1, 2, or 3. But in her notes in my portal it states there was no gaping but that I have “mild pain” when palpating the mcl. I think she was a NP or PA but i was glad she did all the stress tests I see on YouTube and she seemed knowledgeable and said she does not suspect meniscus. She did what I believe was the McMurray test to rule out Meniscus and also I don’t have any of the catching or locking issues I’ve read about online involving meniscus. In her notes she wrote mild pain when palpating my MCL, but it hurt pretty bad when she did it lol. Anyway, today is the 17th day since I hurt it. I can basically walk normal again although I’m pretty ginger on it I think that part might be mental but I’m trying hard to walk normally now.

The major symptom that persists is when laying on my side either on the couch or in bed if I have the injured knee on top, even if I put a pillow between, it is still tender like a dull pain almost feels like a bruise right in that mcl area. Additionally in bed if I change sides sometimes it hurts a bit when swinging my knees from one side to the other. Some googling has said that it’s because laying like this puts pressure on your mcl. But my question is from those of you who have dealt with mcl injuries is it normal for that symptom to persist 17 days. I think maybe it’ll go away eventually because I got a similar pain initially just when walking and that has basically 100% subsided (knock on wood).

The reason I’m getting nervous is everything I find online says grade 1 mcl is a 1-3 week recovery and I’m getting very close now to 3 weeks. Some sites even say 1-2 weeks which seems super optimistic. I wonder if really what they mean is that’s the time for you feel “better” but not yet be 100%. I do suffer from health anxiety which isn’t helping either. Now when I originally hurt it it was about Noon or 1 PM. it hurt for a few seconds pretty bad, and then the rest of the day was completely normal it wasn’t until the next morning I knew I had hurt my knee. And then the major pain didn’t start until the day after that so maybe I should say I’m on day 14 or 15 from when the bad symptoms started lol.

There is one other symptom still. Initially when it happened I got pain in the inner knee area when straightening my leg all the way. Same thing laying in bed on my back if I straighten it it was pretty tight and tender initially. That has largely subsided i think although when I straighten that leg in bed it’s definitely still a bit tighter and tender than the good leg. I’m hoping that also will go away completely soon.

I am optimistic because most other symptoms (pain sitting in the car, pain in the shower, walking) are basically gone. But I’d love to hear from others who have been through this.

I did set up an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon for exactly 1 month from the date of injury so if it doesn’t get all the way better by then I’ll go to that appointment and request an MRI. I’m hoping I’m all better by then though and can just cancel that. The provider I saw at the ortho urgent care said next step if it doesn’t get better would be PT, which I’m open to but I much prefer to see a specialist and get an MRI to know for sure what is wrong before starting PT. I know these providers and insurance hate doing MRIs lol but if it still hurts at all at 30 days I’ll gladly just find an out of pocket imaging center and get my own if need be.

I have issues with my knee pain for several years now and several mri shows there is only a minor issue that wouldn't affect much. My doctor suggested I might have that. And the more I think about my knee, it is painful. But if I don't really bother, it doesn't hurt that bad.

I was first diagnosed with Knee bursitis in both knees. (Also my hips have it and my shoulders) My knees are in more pain than what bursitis would cause so I had an MRI done after the cortisone shots failed. The imaging showed -Patella Alta -Popliteal Cyst -Small joint effusion -Something called a bone island ?

That is all in one knee on top of the bursitis. My doctor wants to rule out autoimmune. Does anyone know if all of these conditions are serious and if they are underlying issues of something else ? I go to my doctor after the holidays, that’s the earliest appointment he had. If anyone has any one of these, could you explain what the treatment you had for it and if you had multiple like me in one knee that’s similar to the ones listed. I’m curious to see if someone knows more before I go to my doctor.

Also, is surgery an option before doing PT ? I can’t see PT helping patella Alta in any way especially from what I’ve read up on.

Hi, I’m not a medical professional and I’m sure many of you guys aren’t either. However last night I had a very weird experience, I woke up in the middle of the night with immense knee pain in my right knee… I quickly realized I was no longer able to bend that leg, I tried and could not straight it out. I was very dazed and basically in shock, but after trying and trying to straight my leg out I used my left hand to rub the left side of my right knee. I found the spot with the most discomfort and pressed on it as hard as I could. It was very painful to do this, but I think this pushed my knee back into place.

Does this sound like a dislocation or a partial one to any of those who’ve experienced this?

It’s very weird though, I no longer have any pain in my knee. I haven’t had any knee injuries, and have also been resting from going to the gym the last couple of days.. not sure what exactly happened, but that was one of the worst experiences of my life

hi im 21F, i recently tore my (extensive, horizontal) medial meniscus and had seen a orthopaedic specialist.

my knee is unable to straighten as well as catches and locks. at the moment i’m able to walk slowly without crutches, however it swells up after walking a bit.

They advised that I could either:

1. do 1 month of physiotherapy and then do the surgery - which would be a 6 month recovery (however my physio said that it was only a 6 week recovery - so i’m a bit unsure on recovery times)

2. do physiotherapy for 6 months or up to a year. however, he has stated that it has a likelihood to tear again (or more) if i go this route, as well as not healing.

i have a couple questions

• how long was your recovery if you did the arthroscopy?
• for those who did only physiotherapy, how long did it take to recover, and what was your recovery journey (to the point you didn’t feel pain/locking/popping)
• if you did do the arthroscopy; are there any products you recommend for post-op?

my parents are supportive in me getting surgery rather than only PT. however my partner doesn’t think I should jump straight into surgery due to the risks (early onset arthritis etc). so i would love to hear some unbiased views and personal experiences

Doing heavy lunges in gym 6 months ago

Got sharp pain upper medial of knee cap,

Since Knee constantly swells like a balloon when doing daily activities then if rested goes down over few days ( since injury I now get snapping above kneecap and slightly to the inside when extending leg which seems to make the swelling start)

MRI Clear no structure damage but shows inflammation

Cortisone no relief

Dmard for possible RA no relief

NSAIDs/no relief

Ice or heat seems to makes it worse

I’m truly lost any tips or ideas

A focal chondral defect is present at the periphery of the medial trochlea, measuring up to 8 mm in size. Mild underlying marrow edema is demonstrated. Trochlear articular cartilage appears otherwise intact

Impression

1. Focal subcentimeter cartilage defect at the periphery of the medial trochlea with small focus of subchondral marrow edema. 2. Intact menisci and cruciate ligaments. 3. Surgical changes of debridement at Hoffa's fat pad.

Is this bad? Just had my MRI on my left knee. 27f and had surgery last year on the same knee for MCL after a skiing accident.

I’ve been active forever (34 M) as in hours of beach flag football weekly + jogging as well as cycling 50-70 miles a week now for years.

A few weekends I pushed it a bit and did the above + hiking and little sleep. This was Fri-Sunday. Biked some more on Tuesday, walked 5 miles Wednesday.

Thursday wake up with a sharp pain in knee when going down stairs. Thought that’s weird. Bikes another 20 miles that day, played flag football in sand with a sleeve, and run another 7 miles Sunday, as well as Tuesday.

Now 6 days after the initial pain it’s not just pain when bending but pain when trying to sleep or move, a stiff feeling when bending the knee and even light pain when walking. Although I could run earlier this week, now that’s impossible even with a brace.

I’ve been icing and compressing everyday but it actually seems to have gotten worse each day. Again this came up out of nowhere- I woke up with it 4 days after anything at all intense - though not too much more intense than usual, and a day after some light walking with my dog.

Tender top of kneecap, sharp pain when bending or straightening. Seems like runners knee - and yes I’ve scheduled a doc visit but wonder is this typical of an onset and what can I do to heal and at least go back to how it was in the early days of the pain

I’ve had two surgeries with 2 different surgeons and both times they’ve been unable to locate the floating cartilage in my knee.

The loose bodies will pop out either side of my knee cap and cause locking or pain until I push it back in. They’ve been seen on mri and x rays but each time surgeon has gone in they’ve been unable to locate it. Really frustrated going through recovery again and knowing the issue hasn’t been resolved. Has anyone had similar experience?

Anyone had a diagnostic scope done to try to find where knee pain is coming from?

I’ve had 2 MRIs come back with some extremely minor findings but I’ve had constant knee pain for over a year now. Have tried everything - resting, NSAIDs, physical therapy, cortisone.

Wondering when it’s worth asking doctor to do a scope? None have offered yet so I would need to be the one to ask.

Hey every1 ✌🏽 Walking on a root, I 100% ruptured the tendon that held the underside of my patella. Anywayzzz...what I'd love to know is: Does anyone have a trick so my full leg Zimmer brace doesn't slide due to gravity at EVERY 3 STEPS I MAKE.???? It's driving me nuts. I'm starting to paranoid that my knee will heal all crooked as the brace puts a pressure on the top of my patella 'cuz it's always, I mean ALWAYYYYYS slipping... Thanks a million in advance. Any tip or trick that you found helpful will greatly aid me. ✨️✌🏽🫡

Around 3 months after acl,mcl & meniscus surgery I started to practice walking without crutches. That’s now 2/3 weeks. I feel like the process is pretty much stagneting. Walking doesn’t feel natural at all and I walk with a limp. I can only walk short distances and standing still also feels uncomfortable. How long did it take you before walking felt normal again after you ditched the crutches? I’m wondering if i’m behind in this process

M22, playing 3 times a week football (soccer) and I have pretty strong geneticaly legs but due to a dumb decision to play in FG boots on AG this week my boot got stuck in the ground while I was explosively turning around and my knee cap poped out and in the fall popped back in but looks like I also tore LCL or MCL. I have pretty above average swelling and doctors just wrote "right knee bit more endemic, pattela normoposed, able to move but painful at extreme amplitudes"

Told me to ice the swelling, wear some kind of knee brace and come back in 10 days.

Now at my 3rd day of injury I went to a private physio and he patched me with those recovery adhesive tapes and did some electrical stimulation on the swollen part. My inner part of leg, especially around the knee is swollen AF.

So right now I am yet not sure if there is going to be any surgery needed, how much recovery I need and if I really tore any ligaments but my question is this:

Can I get my knee and ligaments back at 100%? I am willing to train my legs, do intensive recovery, even surgery if needed but I dont want to be handikaped my whole life and think of not ever being able to do though sports like football, wrestling, bjj, athletics, etc...

Is it possible to bring my knee stability to 100% or even more, making them prone to popping out?

I'm having the sensation every 1-5 days that my knee rotates out of socket. The entire bottom part of my leg rotates inward, then it pops back. It's a "clunk, clunk" feeling. I had an MRI and it showed small tears in my posteromedial (back and inside) meniscus, but nothing that should be big enough to cause this. No torn ligaments. I've gone to two orthopedic specialists and they insisted that I'm feeling my kneecap slide out of place. However, that's not what it feels like at all! What it feels like is Anterolateral Rotatory Instability, but I know I'm not a doctor.

Has anyone experienced this?

Could it be the knee cap and just feel like it's the leg?

The doctors are being so dismissive and I feel like everyone is telling me to deny what I'm physically feeling. It's very overwhelming and stressful. Thanks!

The exact findings are: "A small right knee joint effusion. A focal 1 cm area of bone marrow edema is noted in the medial aspect of the medial tibial plateau, suggesting a resolving bone contusion" This happened 1.5 weeks ago. At first, it hurt a lot, couldn't walk or anything. Now I would say it feels 75% normal. I can walk with only a slight limp but, something just feels off/unstable. I can't do any workouts, or it starts to hurt quite a bit. Also, stretching hurts quite a bit.

I really want to be able to snowboard by mid-December. Doctor just told me "listen to your body".

Looking for more advice than that if possible.

Hello, I dislocated my knee about 2 months ago for the first time. I was healing pretty good, I went to physical therapy and was able to walk and was cleared to go back to work. About a week ago I was walking when my knee gave out, I felt a sharp electrical pain on my knee that I dislocated before and fell to the ground. I went to the ER and they said that there was a lot of liquid and swelling in my knee so they collected liquids to see if there was an infection, It wasn’t, mostly being blood. After that procedure as soon as I was discharged I got up from the hospital bed without putting any pressure or weight on my bad knee, but I felt this super sharp pain. It felt like my patella was dislocating again, but the doctors said it’s not, the x-ray didn’t show any dislocation this time, and that it’s probably just because tendons and ligaments are going back into place since they removed liquid. It’s been 5 days but I’m still experiencing this popping and pain. It happenes when I try to move or bend the knee. I waa given muscle relaxants and Tylenol, also licodaine patches. Is this popping normal? It feels like the patella moves out of place. I’m getting a MRI on Friday too. Thank you in Advance!

Yesterday I jumped and when I landed, it felt like both leg bones shifted out of my knee in opposing directions. It was extremely painful for a few minutes, then when the pain settled a bit, I tried to put weight on it but could not even straighten it. Once I got it somewhat straight, there was a very loud (and mildly painful but satisfying) “crunch” that happened. After that it felt like the pain went away, so I tested weight bearing again, and could not put weight on that leg without severe instability and pain. Now cannot rotate, bend, or fully straighten the knee without pain, discomfort, and tightness. Later in the evening I accidentally put weight on it and perhaps twisted it a bit and it felt like my leg bones slipped out again- so painful I started sobbing immediately.

I’ve done some googling but I’m curious if anyone has had a similar experience or knows which injury(ies) this is likely to be and how long the recovery period might be. Google wants to tell me it’s a meniscus tear but I know internet searched answers tend to exaggerate and I’m really hoping it’s not that. Going to ortho tomorrow.