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Terrible low back and knee issues HELP!!

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rich_73922
rich_73922

For last 2.5 months Ive had never ending lumbar back pain. For last 4 years never ending patellarfemoral pain where my knee wears down the outside (left side)of patellarfemoral groove. Im at 75% cartilage thickness left on the bad side indicated by MRI in 2013 so 25-30% was gone then crushed by knee. I am now 27 yrs old was 24 when MRI taken.

My knee likes to be straight (leg straight not bent like in a chair). It gives me trouble standing or walking short distances even. This joint damage was caused by intense high level bicycle racing with a saddle that was possibly too far forward. Now chronic on and off burning or aching especially at rest or when trying to sleep. I can lay with knee straight though no problem. Physical activity gives a burning sensation but knee movement is smooth no catching. Standing or walk gives burning sensation. Orthopedic doctor suggested sinivisc 1 injection but insurance doesnt cover it i dont think.

Now, I have chronic low back trouble... lying down with knee straight is impossible due to a,lower back injury. No MRI yet... physical therapy generally has only aleviated pain by a small bit. I cant sit in a chair unless it reclines or my knees are bent 90 degrees. Left knee doesnt get its normal straight break. Poor posture from constantly straightening my left knee in chairs likely contributed to this. Ive been inactive for about 2 mo apart from short walks which aggravate the knee but help the back a little.

Pain wont go away and I cant even sit down and watch a movie or play videogames. I cant stand very long or walk very far either. I am going to request MRI for the back I think. Mentally im a wreck, a shell. Im young, will be 28 in late July.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • rich_73922
    rich_73922

    Posted

    Its JUST left knee not right knee. My right leg carries my around and is beefed up muscular wise. Never any pain in right side. Quad stretching hurts left knee slightly, hamstring and piriformus are well stretched but my back pain keeps me from getting aggressive with the hamstring stretch. Right knee never had pain ever. Leg length is same right to left.
  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 rich_73922

    Posted

    Hi Rich,  I am so sorry you have so much pain and imobility and at such a young age. I have suffered from arthritis in my left knee sinced aged 11, then my back problem started at aged 40. I can understand the pain and imobility part that you are going through. No wonder your mentally suffering as well. It goes hand in hand when we are physically not good our mental state can be affected and vice versa. Mental and physical should be in harmony.  I would ask for a MRI scan for your back. The injection you mention is it a steriod, i have had steriods for my knee and back and neither worked. What country are you in. Your spine maybe taking a lot of pressure from your knee problem and phsiotherapy to strenghten it may help. MIne is wear and tear so nothing can be done, i have learned to live with it and pace myself. I have also had my left knee replaced twice and my right due to be done soon. But hey your so young, you need to get to the bottom of whats happening with your knee and spine. Ask for a scan, see a specialist and look at your options. I am not an expert, i can only speak from my own experience. Maybe someone else here can help. Best of luck and i do hope you can sort this out soon. 

    Elizabeth.

    • rich_73922
      rich_73922 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Hi and thanks for reply. The sinvisc is actually lube for the joint, fluid but I dont know if I can get it. I scheduled cortizone for it on friday but I may cancel if it has risks. The cortizine steriod has risks like extra pain from crystalization on joint and such. The lube is basically risk free I just need to get insurance to cover it. Knee bracing helps me.

      I was a good athlete and the knee has life left in it I think so I gotta be positive on that and wear the brace. The back is an overuse thing, two big overuse injuries! I should have been smarter when it started to seize up on and off and stopped bending over so much. Now life quality is low for possibly years... I hope for a normal back MRI yet but it feels like disc disease. Itll be a week or two before i get in probably to see.

    • rich_73922
      rich_73922 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Yeah and my knee was diagnosed 12 years ago at age 16 pattelarfemoral pain now with wearing of cartilage... Ive talked to a lot who have bone on bone like my 75 year old bike shop owner friend he has only moderate pain!!!! Weird but nerves die and such as we age.

      Im USA near mayo clinic. My friend used to work olympic training center in colorado back in the 1970s and 80s.

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