Knee pain on weight bearing
Posted , 4 users are following.
i haven't posted on here since my left TKR over 2 years ago! I am now having trouble with my right knee. I'm pretty sure there's arthritis there but the pain I am getting is different from what I used to get in my left knee pre op. I've started to get a sharp pain about 2/3cm below the knee on the inside. It does not hurt when I'm at rest but is very painful when I put weight on it. I saw my GP yesterday who sent me for an X Ray & told me to take painkillers! I have to wait 7 to 10 days for the results.
i just wondered if anyone else has experienced anything similar. I fell on this knee about 3 months ago and took a while to improve but this sharp pain has only started in the last week or so. My knee is a bit swollen but, it is not as stiff as it was after the fall and not as stiff as my right one used to get pre op.
Does anyone else get this type of pain only when weight bearing?
Jen
1 like, 11 replies
marilyn10235 jennifer86104
Posted
Hi Jen
I had similar with my left leg, started with pain then would lock. I saw a locum gp who told me as I wasn't Michael Owen, he wouldn't be sending me of to have an arthroscopy & to do exercises! He couldn't advise me on what exercises though! I waited another year with my knee getting worse & when it wouldn't straighten at all saw my own gp, who referred me to trauma & orthopaedics in 2007. I had an MRI, then arthroscopy, which showed a couple of tears in the meniscus & arthritis. So if you can push for referral & MRI as x ray does not show soft tissue damage. I had TKR on right knee, need TKR on left but it has held up well after the treatment I had in 2007. In fact although very painful has been good after this TKR.
I hope they sort it for you.
Marilyn
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jennifer86104 marilyn10235
Posted
Thanks for replying, Marilyn. I will try to push for an MRI if the X Ray results don't show anything - except arthritis, which I'm pretty sure will show up! I couldn't straighten my left leg before the TKR but this right one straightens and bends quite well and, as I say, doesn't hurt till I walk on it. The GP mentioned physio which I'm more than happy to go for as I want to avoid another knee replacement if possible. I do 5 mins daily on my exercise bike and some stretches but am afraid to do the wrong exercises and make it worse. I can't take ibuprofen but rub in a gel and am taking paracetamol. Just a bit frustrated!
What treatment did you have, Marilyn?
marilyn10235 jennifer86104
Posted
Hi Jennifer,
I had arthroscopic treatment in 2007, the surgeon 'tidied up', his words, 2 small tears in the meniscus. I then had Physio, which was my left leg. No treatment other than that.
UnfortunatelyvI had to have TKR in October on the right which became excruciatingly painful due to arthritis in 2015. Will be going back on the waiting list once fully recovered from this, to have TKR on left leg.
Having the arthroscopy gave me a few more years on the left.
Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you.
Marilyn
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jennifer86104 marilyn10235
Posted
Thanks, Marilyn. It would be great if an athroscopy would help. It's just frustrating that you have to wait so long to get a diagnosis. Good luck with your recovery. It can be slow but it's worth it. I really appreciate how good my left leg is now my right has started playing up. I had my TKR July 2014.
Thanks again.
Jen
marilyn10235 jennifer86104
Posted
Thank you for your kind words Jennifer.
I hope you get some answers & relief from your pain soon.
Best wishes
Marilyn
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lynda72291 jennifer86104
Posted
It maybe a "repair is needed. It's horrible waiting for x-ray results but hopefully if it doesn't improve, all you will need is a repair. Best wishes.
jennifer86104 lynda72291
Posted
Thanks, Lynda. Have you had a repair? What was involved? I'm 66 and will probably show signs of arthritis. They might think I'm too old for a repair???
lynda72291 jennifer86104
Posted
I had an arthroscopy 3 years ago at 61 years of age. Unfortunately I have now had to have a knee replacement on the same leg. I'm sure you would not be too old at 66. They won't do a replacement if not necessary.
jennifer86104 lynda72291
Posted
tammy11224 jennifer86104
Posted
Hi Jennifer, unfortunately yes. I am just 4 weeks post op on left knee TKR. Before the surgery I fell off a jet ski and almost immediately the right knee began having issues. Since the left one started first it was replaced first. Both knees have severe arthritis and are bone on bone. As the left knee begins to heal the right knee has begun feeling better at rest, but things like going up and down the stairs can bring out the worst in my right (unoperated) knee. I've been working the right knee with the PT exercises in hopes of putting off another TKR so soon after the first. The pain is a sudden sharp "jab" on the inside of my knee that worsens with fatigue and stiffness settles in. I would definitely recommend you see an ortopaedic specialist. Good luck hope things improve soon. Tammy
jennifer86104 tammy11224
Posted
Thanks, Tammy. You describe the stabbing pain well! I just don't remember getting such severe pain on my other leg. Then it was a duller pain and much more stiffness and an inability to straighten my leg. I suppose each situation is different. I've been thinking of trying to see my orthopaedic surgeon without going through a GP referral but don't know if I'll succeed.
Good luck with your recovery from your 1st TKR. In my experience you need a lot of patience and determination to keep up with the exercises. Since my left leg has started playing up I appreciate how good my right is. I had my TKR July 2014. I found this forum really helpful afterwards to compare symptoms. All the best and thanks again for troubling to reply.
Jen