My knee has locked.
Discussion
Yesterday I was outside changing a wheel on my car, kneeling down. When I tried to get up my knee locked ( I think I may have twisted round in the process). This has happened maybe three times before to the same knee in probably as many years. Previously as soon as I've stood up something has twanged inside the knee with a sharp pain for a minute or so then it's been fine. But this time I've been unable to straighten my leg, each time I try the pain is agonising.
So yesterday evening I went to the local minor injuries unit, who after giving me painkillers, did some checks then sent me for an xray. These didn't show anything wrong so they've referred me to Leeds general infirmary who aren't open until tomorrow to call and make an appointment.
Sat down at home and not moving is making my leg stiffer and more painful when I do try and move it. Really don't know what else I can do, self employed so can't afford time off work :-(
So yesterday evening I went to the local minor injuries unit, who after giving me painkillers, did some checks then sent me for an xray. These didn't show anything wrong so they've referred me to Leeds general infirmary who aren't open until tomorrow to call and make an appointment.
Sat down at home and not moving is making my leg stiffer and more painful when I do try and move it. Really don't know what else I can do, self employed so can't afford time off work :-(
Ask to be referred to (Mr) Stuart Calder's Acute Knee Clinic within the next week or so
It runs three times a week in the LGI and Chapel Allerton Hospital
You sound like you might have something torn or trapped in the knee causing locking, which isn't serious but may need treating. Won't need an MRI
It *must* be the Acute Knee Clinic and A&E can book you in.
I ran the Friday clinic there for 14 months. If you see Mr Calder, give him my regards (Will Hage)
It runs three times a week in the LGI and Chapel Allerton Hospital
You sound like you might have something torn or trapped in the knee causing locking, which isn't serious but may need treating. Won't need an MRI
It *must* be the Acute Knee Clinic and A&E can book you in.
I ran the Friday clinic there for 14 months. If you see Mr Calder, give him my regards (Will Hage)
Edited by The_Doc on Monday 24th February 22:31
More money here on the torn cartilage option. I had this at University - knelt down in front of a fridge, felt a white hot pain in my knee (just inside and at the base of the knee cap) and couldn't straighten it. I managed to unlock it by kneeling down and rocking gently side to side; something clicked and I was able to straighten it and move normally.
I've also done the other one twisting my knee in a skiing fall. That time the cartilage tore and embedded in the joint, and I couldn't straighten it until I had an arthroscopy.
If it is a torn cartilage, the key is to get it fixed and then mobilise the knee ASAP. With the first one I waited 18m for an operation; the tendons and ligaments shortened a lot in that time and it took literally months to regain full mobility. With the second I had an operation within 10 days and was skiing again on the eleventh day after the operation.
I've also done the other one twisting my knee in a skiing fall. That time the cartilage tore and embedded in the joint, and I couldn't straighten it until I had an arthroscopy.
If it is a torn cartilage, the key is to get it fixed and then mobilise the knee ASAP. With the first one I waited 18m for an operation; the tendons and ligaments shortened a lot in that time and it took literally months to regain full mobility. With the second I had an operation within 10 days and was skiing again on the eleventh day after the operation.
ALawson said:
PM the "the doc" he may be able to help, I suspect it may be a bucket handle tear of the meniscus or something else floating around in there stopping the knee moving,
Only advice is elevate it, ice and compression.
Let a Physio or orthopaedic surgeon diagnose it!
cheers, but I can't book you into a clinic at the LGI, hell I could ring the surgeon myself on his mobile and still not bypass the NHS paperwork/admin Only advice is elevate it, ice and compression.
Let a Physio or orthopaedic surgeon diagnose it!
you'll do right
ALawson said:
Ha! Seeing Adrian in April op in May only taken 12 months on the nhs. But then I will be in good hands so worth the wait.
Cannot believe that you would want to ski on a knee 11 days after an arthroscopy! Any lasting damage?
It was all an unfortunate coincidence of events. We had booked two ski holidays with a two week gap between them. And no travel insurance (folly of youth). Tore it on the first holiday; knew what it was from prior experience; lined up to see a doc as soon as I got back and was operated on within a couple of days. Probably the only time I am likely to pay for private medical treatment out of my own pocket. Cannot believe that you would want to ski on a knee 11 days after an arthroscopy! Any lasting damage?
It was all about getting it sorted sufficiently to not write off the second ski trip. The swelling took a while to come down, but lots of ice, compression and elevation helped. I remember riding a bike home from work within 72 hrs of the op - I could hardly bend my knee though!
It all came together just in time, and you have to remember that skiing with a bent leg takes pressure off the area at the front of the joint where the surgeon had been in. IIRC I was skiing moguls within a day of getting back on skis. OTOH I think if I had hyperextended my knee I would have screamed for a week.
No lasting damage at all (it was over 20 years ago now; I still cycle and run quite a bit, and of course ski). It was a much quicker rehab than the first one, due, I think, to the fact that it had a much shorter period of relative inactivity.
Thank you all for the replies.
When I get there I'll see what they say and tell them what you have advised Mr Hage. This is second night I've now woken up after 4 hours sleep.
The_Doc said:
Ask to be referred to (Mr) Stuart Calder's Acute Knee Clinic within the next week or so
It runs three times a week in the LGI and Chapel Allerton Hospital
You sound like you might have something torn or trapped in the knee causing locking, which isn't serious but may need treating. Won't need an MRI
It *must* be the Acute Knee Clinic and A&E can book you in.
I ran the Friday clinic there for 14 months. If you see Mr Calder, give him my regards (Will Hage)
My mum had an appointment yesterday after lunch to see her chiroropractor, so whilst there she asked her about my knee. She recommended calling my local doctor and see what advice he had. So I called the doctor and he advised me to go straight to LGI A+E. I did this and saw a nurse within 3/4 of an hour ( pretty quick considering some people had been waiting a couple of hours). The nurse couldn't understand why Otley hospital had told me the orthopaedic dept was closed Monday!?! They've made me an appointment for Tuesday afternoon to see a doctor in the the orthopaedics dept.It runs three times a week in the LGI and Chapel Allerton Hospital
You sound like you might have something torn or trapped in the knee causing locking, which isn't serious but may need treating. Won't need an MRI
It *must* be the Acute Knee Clinic and A&E can book you in.
I ran the Friday clinic there for 14 months. If you see Mr Calder, give him my regards (Will Hage)
Edited by The_Doc on Monday 24th February 22:31
When I get there I'll see what they say and tell them what you have advised Mr Hage. This is second night I've now woken up after 4 hours sleep.
philmh said:
Had an appointment this morning at the acute knee clinic, and Dr Wall said I have a torn meniscus. Waiting for an appointment for surgery now.
I had mine fixed in January, absolutely brilliant operation. Totally pain free unless I poked the two little keyhole incisions or knelt on it in the first week or so. Apparently one of the most successful operations conducted at the moment. Highly recommended.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff