Does Anyone Here Have Knee Problems?

**MarshHen** · 01-09-2005, 08:21 PM

My left knee gave out on me yesterday and I fell. Knee is very swollen and sore. I have been told by several people who have had knee problems that the doctor cannot examine the knee if it's so swollen. I logged in to Web M. D. this morning and it pretty much describes my symptoms as ACL or Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. I'm pretty much doing what they suggest as far as ice packs, Ace bandage for support, anti inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen), crutches, rest and leg elevation.

Was wondering if anyone else here has suffered with this, and if so, did they require surgery.

**Mom23boys** · 01-09-2005, 09:25 PM

I also took a good fall a few years ago. I went to the ER and they did take xrays. It wasn't broken, but they put it in a removeable brace. He didn't want me to take any chances by bending it. Plus he thought if I put pressure on it, it would cause me to fall again. I took ibuprofen for the pain. I still have pain in it once in a while.

My son broke his kneecap last year at school, so please be careful. You may want to have it checked. He was even walking on it before we took him to the dr.

I would keep the ice on it.

**Darlene** · 01-10-2005, 07:57 AM

Yes I've had problems but haven't in a long time.(knock on wood) One time it dislocated and I hope I never feel pain like that again,ever. It popped out & then went back in when I was bending down in a closet to get a suitcase for a nice weekend we were going to have...Knee probs are no fun and take quite a while to heal. When you are stronger, look online to see about doing some exercises to strengthen the ligiments & such. I had to do mine with some small weights attached to my ankles & I hated it.
I had the xrays and wore the brace also. Haven't had surgery for it thank goodness. I think Lisa (prairierose) could prob. tell you more about knee surgery.
Hope you heal fast! Take care!!!

**Michele Annette** · 01-10-2005, 09:19 AM

Carolyn, I hope the swelling goes down in your knee, so you can get it checked out!

I have a problem with my right knee. The petalla (knee cap), when I walk moves at an angle instead of straight, so that it causes great pain if my thigh muscles don't remain strengthened. I had to go to physical therapy for a time, but I haven't had a problem with the knee pain since my regular workouts and keeping my weight down.

DH had to have surgery on his knee for a torn piece of cartilage between his thigh and shin bones, behind his knee. He had surgery 4 years ago and hasn't had too much knee pain since.

**MarshHen** · 01-10-2005, 06:02 PM

Thanks for the info. The swelling seems to be better today I think because of the ice, and I believe Ibuprofen is the greatest thing since sliced bread. LOL

Side is tender and I think I have a few bruised ribs.

Darlene.....I agree sweetie, I never want to feel pain like that again myself. OMG, I think my heart stopped it was so severe!

**forestdale** · 01-10-2005, 06:16 PM

I fell on slippery tiles at a hotel while I was away working about 8 years ago. My entire leg was a bruise and I had a very swollen knee. The doctor xrayed it and there were no breaks just soft tissue damage. I didn't take anything for the pain but I was in bed for a week as I couldn't bear any weight on it. It's still slightly swollen but I won't let the doctor jab me with a needle to remove the fluid that's there.

I agree with you both about dislocations. I was out on a boat once and fell getting back to the jetty. I fell in the water and everyone laughed. My shoulder dislocated while I was falling and when I came up out of the water I was screaming. They all thought a shark had me!! LOL I laughed a lot about that AFTER the pain of the shoulder went.

I'm pleased to hear you're on the mend.

**kimmee** · 01-10-2005, 06:23 PM

Both of my knees are bad - my brother is a doc and says to do leg extensions part way to strengthen the muscle that holds the patella in place or it slips to the side (like Michele described) and it is excruciatingly painful - coincidentally I have been limping around with mine all day. I take Glucosamine and Chondroitin and have no pain usually but I am out right now and I can sure tell!! I will never have the surgery. My older Brother is married to a horse vet and he had her inject a horse does of Chondroitin and Glucosamine straight under his knee caps

ten years ago and has never had any pain in them since. And he was in pain for thirty years before that!!

**MarshHen** · 01-10-2005, 09:16 PM

Oh yeah, I have a friend who had knee surgery about 4 years ago and she has had nothing but problems since. I will do whatever I need to to avoid surgery.