Oww! Knee pain

[carreauchompeur]

My knees have always been a bit clicky over the years.

I haven't done anything acute to it, bit of cross trainer 2 days ago but nothing mental.

Right knee a bit stiff yesterday. Finished work this morning at 0700 and woke up at 0900 in a lot of pain- hurting in any position, and just gradually seizing up and aching if left straight/bent.

Eventually some iburprofen and ice calmed it down enough to sleep. Back up at 4pm, now it's stiffening up again and is quite hot to touch. No particularly noticeable swelling, most of the pain seems around the front.

What wrong with me?!!

[carreauchompeur]

Hmm, interesting thought. It does sometimes lock a bit. I've woken up in the middle of the night before but thought it was cramp- it almost feels like the joint goes slightly beyond the normal range of movement and then painfully locks up.

[carreauchompeur]

Never when I'm standing- generally it happens at night.

Particularly when the fecking cat sleeps on one of my legs and it's in the same position for a while causing me to wake up in agony (promptly launching kitty off!)

[carreauchompeur]

Thanks very much guys, I've previously had mild aches from running but this seems really different, the occasional locking is getting more frequent so I will book an appointment with the quack ASAP

[carreauchompeur]

Well, went to the GP and despite explaining that I hadn't done anything crazy to it I should do no exercise for the next 6 weeks and come back if it still hurts.

This is clearly not an option! Grr

[carreauchompeur]

Great, another locking episode overnight last week and I'm on Naproxen for a while. Physio time I think!

[carreauchompeur]

Bad times

I have an appointment with a local sports injury clinic for an assessment so I'll see what they say. I am hoping that it's something which might be improved with exercise since it hasn't come about through trauma, however I'll bear your words in mind if that fails...

[carreauchompeur]

I know Internet self-diagnosis is not always a good thing, however I'm the last week or two I've really noticed a lot of tightness around my lower legs, particularly on the right leg, and pain down the side of the knee, along with stiffness snd cracking.

I'm on Naproxen and Paracetamol but having been at work for 17hrs today it's now really bad.

http://www.knee-pain-explained.com/iliotibial-band...

Seems to fit?

[carreauchompeur]

Update:

Because I was starting to need time off work through the pain I managed to get a free referral to a physio. Went for an iniitial consultation and then back for another session yesterday.

Utterly brilliant and I wish I'd have done this years ago. Very experienced older physiotherapist has diagnosed straight away that it's stiffness in my calves and hips that is putting a lot of pressure on my knees, which is exacerbated by by feet over-pronating. Have to now see a podiatrist to get shoe inserts to sort the foot positioning out and have a range of exercises for the legs.

Feeling very positive about a way forward, just need to get training for my cycle ride in July now- once I've had a proper bike fit to sort out all my geometry and clips etc.

Fascinating really, lots of niggles I have all seem to trace to the same causes. Nice to get sorted out and hopefully with some orthotics I might get back running again

[carreauchompeur]

Further update:

Physios can be a godsend. So many people just put up with aches and pains, as I did, but shouldn't have to. A simple course of corrective exercise and some special insoles and the difference is amazing. A proper fitting of my bike was a really important factor too.

From not sleeping due to pain/locking after a 40 mile ride, this weekend I completed St. Austell to Bristol in aid of Children's Hospice South West (PM me if you want the Justgiving link ) About 230 miles in total including getting to the start/finish and I didn't have to push up any hills. Back out yesterday and completed a 36 mile ride in under 2 hours. Touch wood, no pain.

Physio... Works!