Dodgy Knee

[C0ffin D0dger]

I've got a bit of a knee problem but it doesn't seem bad enough to warrant a trip to the docs.

It's not that painful, bit tender to touch but no problem walking on it, and a bit swollen. You can feel there's some sort of fluid buildup around the knee cap area as it a bit squishy but again it's not huge. Biggest problem I have with it is I can't really kneel on it or do anything that applies pressure.

I had similar many years ago whilst at Uni, slipped over while drunk and landed on it. That time it did swell like a balloon but I left it and it went back to normal over time though I seem to remember it being a couple of months.

So what can I do to speed up the healing process? Obviously there is the usual things like rest, ice packs, etc. I did take Ibuprofen for a few days and it made it a bit less tender but I don't really want to take painkillers for weeks on end.

Two thoughts, are those compression supports helpful with such an injury, and can I do some exercise on it? I don't suppose running would do it much good but I was wondering if a bit of cycling would be okay or just make it worse?

[RCBRG]

In what way does it not warrant a trip to the doctor? It is painful, visibly not right, and causing you trouble day to day. Get it looked at

[Malx]

If it's sore, swollen and it restricts you from doing things, why would you not go to a doctor or a physio?

Better to get it looked at now that to need surgery later on down the line.

[The_Doc]

There's a theme emerging here

Not bothering you: leave it
Bothering you: get it looked at

Fluid in the knee is virtually always wrong

Edited by The_Doc on Thursday 25th September 08:23

[pushthebutton]

I put it off and lived with a problem for the best part of 16 years. When the discomfort went away I could exercise fully and so I figured it couldn't be that bad...

I've just had most of my meniscus removed from my left knee and I'm facing a partial/full knee replacement in 10 years or so. I'll admit to being a touch gutted by that prospect. Any impact activities I do from this point onwards will probably accelerate the decline.

[Matt_N]

Do you spend a lot of time on your knees?

Sounds like bursitis or housemaid's knee: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/housemaids-knee-pr...

[C0ffin D0dger]

Matt_N said:

Do you spend a lot of time on your knees?

Sounds like bursitis or housemaid's knee: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/housemaids-knee-pr...

I don't usually spend a lot of time on my knees but over the last few months perhaps more so. Built a patio a while back which involved a fair bit of scrabbling around on the ground. Also with two young kids I'm spending more time at their level e.g. creating complicated train track layouts, playing toy cars or some making sh*t out of Lego.

I thought it might be that. It sort of flared up not long after a week on holiday and I wonder if increased manhandling of the kids didn't help. Seem to remember carrying our 3 year old on my shoulders quite a bit and he's no lightweight anymore.

To all those who suggest the doctors, according to the NHS website home treatment is normally advisable http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-pain/Pages/Intro...

If it doesn't get better soon I will pay them a visit (to be told to rest it, put ice on it and take Ibuprofen no doubt).