Lovin Learnin Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 My knee began hurting out of nowhere on Saturday. The pain is on the inside of the knee and I really can't bear any weight on it. When I do, it feels as if it is going to buckle. I also have a lot of pain when I roll over in my sleep (which wakes me up). After looking online my symptoms seem to indicate a torn meniscus. I would rather not have the expense of going to a doctor if there is a chance I can help it heal at home. What do you think? Should I bite the bullet and have it looked at or is there a good chance it will heal on its own? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Sometimes my knee starts to buckle and hurt when my back is out of alignment. Sometimes it pops back in on it's own. Sometimes it needs the help of a chiropractor. But your problem may not be the same as this. You might try soaking it in epsom salts, anti-inflammtories etc. to see if it just gets better on it's own. If it is indeed torn, though, then I think you have no option but to get a Dr's help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovin Learnin Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Thanks, Jean. I've been taking anti-inflammatories so I'll move on to epsom salt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Frog Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 When I was a teen, I had a pain as you describe and couldn't walk without severe limping. My problem was that the muscle on the inside of the knee was weaker then the muscle on the outside of the knee, causing the kneecap to twist. The physical therapist had me roll up a towel, put it under my knee, and do knee lifts with it. To continue strengthing it, I had to add weights (packages of dried beans) when I did the lifts. I usually did them when I was watching tv. As an adult, I've found that if I wear the same pair of shoes for weeks on end, my knees start hurting like they did when I was a teen. The best fix for me is to wear different shoes. Usually it takes about a week for it to feel better. I hope it's not a torn meniscus and that another remedy might help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 JMO, but unless you remember some trauma I wouldn't guess you've torn it. I agree with anti-inflammatories, ice ice ice ice ice ice, and exercises to strengthen *after* the pain is resolved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I had what they thought was a torn meniscus, but turned out to be a ridiculously severe case of runners knee - had to have surgery. You can try to rest it, and ice it... but whatever you do - don't limp!!!! Get crutches if you have to, but don't limp. You'll mess everything else up if you do. If it isn't better soon, you need to go in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovin Learnin Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Thanks everyone for your replies. Wilrunner - It doesn't feel like my kneecap is twisting at all so I don't think that's what it is, but would I really know? Sailormom, I have been limping terribly and now I'm starting to hurt elsewhere just from putting strain on other parts of my legs/body. I may have to go in. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovin Learnin Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 JMO, but unless you remember some trauma I wouldn't guess you've torn it. I agree with anti-inflammatories, ice ice ice ice ice ice, and exercises to strengthen *after* the pain is resolved. There definitely was no trauma. I was just walking slowly with dd delivering GS cookies. AND we were using a cart. I'm feeling old... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 There definitely was no trauma. I was just walking slowly with dd delivering GS cookies. AND we were using a cart. I'm feeling old... Well, you are not alone... ;) By the way, dd's physical therapist also said to eat fresh pineapple, a half cup three times a day, as an excellent anti-inflammatory. And, yes, do get yourself on crutches, you can pick some up at CVS (or Walgreens, et al). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Frog Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Thanks everyone for your replies. Wilrunner - It doesn't feel like my kneecap is twisting at all so I don't think that's what it is, but would I really know? I didn't know what it was, either. I just knew it hurt really badly when I walked! Hope you're able to figure it out soon and the pain goes away quickly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovin Learnin Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 UGH!!!!! So I broke down and called the orthopedic dr dh has seen and his receptionist will NOT allow me to make an appt. until I see a family doctor first. So now I have to go through a middle man whom I'm sure will say, "Yep, you need to see a specialist. Pay me, please." My insurance does not require a referral so it's not that. Why can't we just decide who to see? If the instructions are to stay off of it and take anti-inflammatories for pain then the ortho guy can say that just as well as a family physician. If it's something more than that then I'll be in the right place already. If my horse is sick I'm not going to take it to a mechanic first, kwim?? This is why hc costs are so high. I'm trying to be frugal here, I really am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 Tiger Balm - love that stuff. The following are more long-term solutions ... Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Carlson’s Fish Oil – Omega 3s are anti-inflammatory 1500 mg Glucosamine and 1200 mg Choindrotin Sulfate 3 times a day- try it for 3 months and see if you notice a difference 40-80 mg Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – “Hyal-Joint” 5 grams of the sugar D-ribose twice daily will stimulate the production of ATP, the fuel that powers your body’s tissues and muscles. People who suffer from excessive joint and muscle pain and fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain) often have low levels of ribose. NUTRITION Often, dehydration causes joint pain, which progresses to stiff pain. Make sure you’re drinking enough water! Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Chia Seeds, Walnuts, Flaxseeds – these are naturally anti-inflammatory Green Tea - 4 cups of green tea daily with a squirt of lemon juice. Green tea can help reduce joint pain greatly. Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Some studies suggest it works to ease the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also help with other inflammatory conditions, such as tendinitis. Try to consume a soupspoon of turmeric every day, with a pinch of black pepper and olive oil. You can use it in all your cooking. Eat 1 cup a day of red or purple fruits, such as berries, cherries, pomegranates, red grapes – or drink 1 cup of juice without added sugar – these food-based antioxidants help ease inflammation and joint disease like arthritis Eat cherries as often as possible. Consuming 20 a day (about 2000 mg of cherry fruit extract) has been proven to provide more pain relief than aspirin and other painkillers. Cherries—when tart—and their juice are rich in melatonin, the antioxidant hormone that regulates circadian rhythms and helps promote sound sleep—without which we’re more likely to pack on pounds and develop diabetes and heart disease. Anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic, and radioprotective, tart cherries and their juice contain more melatonin than is found in human blood, finds Russel Reiter, PhD, at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Eat them fresh or dried, and mix a bit of tart cherry juice with water, particularly when you’re working out—to lessen joint inflammation from exercise. Sesame Seeds provide plenty of copper, a nutrient essential for joint health – just don’t overdo copper EXERCISE, SLEEP, ETC. ACUPUNCTURE helps with all sorts of pain, especially fibromyalgia CHIROPRACTIC/MASSAGE – both help immensely with pain Be aware that you should wait for any inflammation to subside before starting either. HYDROTHERAPY has been proven to help with arthritis. No medicine on the market can rival the physiological effects of water. Warm to hot water eases joint pain by reducing swelling and increasing blood flow to fight inflammation. Begin with a daily 10-minute walk, take up a gentle yoga class, or try the slow movement of Tai Chi. Doing Tai Chi twice a week reduces knee pain, as does strengthening your hips with conditioning exercises. Water aerobics, gentle yoga, and swimming help also. YOGA can provide great relief for achy knees LOSING WEIGHT is key – even 5 extra pounds of weight increases the load on your knees tenfold SLEEP - Get enough sleep. Your body needs a full night of quality sleep to fight pain. Sniffing lavender oil before sleep can help you. More illnesses are caused by a need for magnesium than for calcium. Arthritis and joint pain are caused by excessive calcium and insufficient magnesium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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