Injured Knee

[brazil17]

Hello I'm 17 years old and any help is greatly appreciated

I was at this party about 7 months ago and i had too much to drink and fell on my knee

Since I have been unable to apply pressure to my left knee while bending - without feeling pain - Bending my knee isn't a problem as long as i don't put my weight on it - The pain i'm feeling is just underneath the knee cap. I've been to an " knee specialist " and he gave me these 2 injections which were supposed to help . He said it was supposed to make a part of my knee absorb more water ( don't know how that should help )

anyways I've finished my treatment and my knee still isn't better -

thanks in advance

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
When any patient complains of “knee pain,” the initial differential diagnosis in most of the cases includes: Osteoarthritis, Ligament damage, Meniscus damage or Patello-femoral disorder.
If you give little detail regarding your symptomatology it will helpful in discussing further.
I have seen your investigation results but those appear normal.
I would like to know where the pain is exactly if you have to point out with your index finger.
When did your pain begin, what were you doing at the time, and what were the initial symptoms?
Do you experience any grinding, locking, catching, or giving way of the knee?
Are there any positions that make your knee more or less comfortable?
What is the quality of your pain (sharp, shooting, dull, etc.)?
Have you tried anything to help the pain and, if yes, has that been successful?
Have you ever had surgery on your knee? Do you have any hip or ankle pain?
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[brazil17]

Hi Jain,
Thanks for the reply.

The knee itself isn't in pain except when I'm out doing sports. And I'm a very active person and would really like to keep it that way.
If i had to describe where it hurts I would have to say its behind the tip of the kneecap. The pain ussually comes forward when I'm doing sports that require alot of knee bending
Judo ( martial arts ) and soccer as an example.  
I can't describe the pain - but i can say that its not sharp at least... it feels as if someone is pressing a round object against a bruised area.
How this injury happened ?
I was dancing at a party, when i tripped and fell on my Left knee.
Nope I've never had surgery on my knee
As i mentioned before this happened 6 months ago

Thanks in advance

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
Hope everything is well on your side. Have you been to any doctor?
If yes, what he has said about it?
Your pain behind the tip of knee cap suggests that it is at joint line. Pain at the joint line is the result of a collateral ligament or meniscus problem (or both) until proven otherwise. Your symptomatology of injury while at party while dancing suggests the symptoms could be due to meniscus problem. I assume you had pain, swelling without any popping sound after you had fallen.
I think it is the meniscus issue which is causing still the symptoms.
The only other diagnosis could be Patello-Femoral syndrome.
As you said the flexion is a problem while playing suggests a definite diagnosis of Menisci pathology.
I think you should be considering meeting another orthopedist to discuss this issue,
Some imaging studies including x-ray and MRI is important.
What treatment the doctor has planned?
Keep me posted.
Bye.

[brazil17]

Hi jaine thanks for the answer - one of the doctors i've been to told be it could be a problem with the meniscus (I've consulted several though) - but i was wondering what is the ususal treatment for a damage meniscus ?

You've been great help so far

[JainMD]

Hi,
What kind of management are you looking at when you say usual treatment for a damage meniscus?
Is it medical or surgical line management?
You would be comfortable with conservative management or extensive invasive type of management?

[JainMD]

Hi,
Begin with a trial of rest, protected weight-bearing, and modified activity.
If you feel that you are not symptom free still, then you should be doing MRI or arthroscopic evaluation.
The following lesions should be repaired: one with complete vertical tear >10 mm long.
Tear within the peripheral 10 to 30% of the meniscus or 3 to 4 mm of the menisco-capsular junction. Better healing is noticed when meniscal repairs with concurrent ACL reconstruction. Complex tears and those in the avascular inner 2/3 are resected.
Total meniscectomy is not recommended because of the increased risk of degenerative arthritis.
Keep me posted if you have any queries.
Bye.

[brazil17]

Hi Jain

Thanks allot for the informative posts Jain, I've had an MRI but nothing showed on the screen and I was wondering if that is common ? IF my meniscus is " damaged " and I HAVE to do some surgery to find out or solve the problem is there any chance that i could furthermore damage my knee during surgery ?

I would rather not sacrifice my ability to walk, than a chance to be able to do sports again.