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Intermittent, sharp, pain, of short duration on side of knee cap

I have intermittent very sharp pain just outside the inner part of my right knee cap. There is no swelling, redness, or sensitivity of the area, and it comes very suddenly, and passes within 5 -15 seconds. The pain is very intense. It can come while I'm immobile, or even sleeping. It doesn't feel like muscle or bone pain. I am a 47 year old male, very thin, and in good shape. I bike outdoors and use an eliptic machine indoors. No running or any other kind of pounding sports (had ACL repair of left knee 16 years ago and it's never been the same since. My orthopedist told me never to run again).
I went to an orthopedist for this pain and he had no suggestions. He checked the mobility and motion of my knee.
I can't find any symptoms like it anywhere on the Internet. I stopped all exercise a couple of weeks ago and it seemed to get better, and then last night in bed it came back, twice within a couple of minutes.
Has anyone heard of symptoms like this?
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Avatar universal
Hello everyone. I have found a solution to the electric shock like pain in the knee problem. I currently work as a personal trainer in Norway. This jolting pain is most likely caused by VMO - or Vastus Medialis Oblique, one of your inner thigh muscles - left side of quads. My solution is to get a hold of a foam roller - you might have to buy one, but usually training centers have one. What to do: You need to lie down on the floor with the foam roller and put your inner thigh perpendicular on it. Start rolling back and forth applying alot of pressure with your body weight. This should be very uncomfortable and will hurt alot when done correctly. Do very long rolls from the base of the knee, all the way to the top of your inner thigh. This can become physically straining and you might have to take short breaks or do sets of rolls. I usually do 30-50 hard rolls (very uncomfortable) and it fixes the problem for me INSTANTLY!
It's not completely gone, I do get it from time to time, but then I just repeat the rolling and it's gone again. The rolling looks very silly though and might best be done alone, but to get rid of this incredibly excruciating knee pain it's worth it! I had this problem for many years before I did this. This usually works on MANY other muscle problems - foam roll before you go the surgery route! Hope this works for you all! :)
Helpful - 2
2 Comments
Diagram or photo appreciated
50 year old active male and I have the exact symptoms....
I have also noticed that the thigh muscle on the inside of my knee gets very tight and painful at times.
I'm going to try with the roller as this now seems to point in that area....
Avatar universal
Hi All,

Recently this year I gotten this sharp and irritating electrifying pain on my right knee. As said, it can happened any where and time. I tried all means like applying ice,but it seems not getting better. The worse I encounter such pain when I was watching tv and it took the pain to go off after 20 mins. I tried to strengthen and relax but to no avail. No swell after the pain go off.
Went to see orthopaedic and x-ray shows normal. Now doc recommend to go for physiotherapy, will this help?
The pain I have is becoming more frequent. Really getting more and more demoralized.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
I also have this sudden sharp pain in my knee. Feels more like a nerve pain and is so intense it takes my breath away. Many times it is if I move or bend a certain way. I did see a specialist. After xrays, and MRI I was diagnosed with multiple bone infarcts in my knee. This is basically dead bone and my Dr. did not seem to concerned about it. I am seeking another opinion, because when it happens the whole world stops. I am not able to walk or put any weight on it until it goes away. Then it is gone as if nothing happened.  I am not overweight and still continue to exercise on my treadmill. It is very strange, to say the least.
Helpful - 2
1 Comments
Same herr. Had it recurring five years ago for a month. Was very fangerous when driving. I got an accupuncture treatment with electric wires attached to the needles. It went away immediately, till last week. Noe its worse than before, and more constant. Makes me scrram and cry. Worse pain imaginable. Crying right now.  Have an appointment for accupuncture tomorrow. Worried about the drive both ways. Right knee. The needles hurt like hell around the knee, but it works.
Avatar universal
Having the same pain as everyone describes in this forum. Looking to see if I can match any similarities to daily actives that may have cause this sharp pain out of no where. For me, the pain happens in the inner part of my left knee (started out just below the knee cap and kind of moved in). I am a (left) side sleeper and woke up to the pain in my left knee and noticed my right knee is always resting on top of my left knee when i sleep. Thinking the pressure from the right knee all these years have cause my left knee pain. I also notice i get the pain after i have been sitting down in a computer chair and have had my left leg propped up with no support under the knee (this is when i first felt the sharp paint out of now where). Lastly, I use to sit in computer chair with my left foot propped up on the chair and/or sitting in a computer chair with left foot under my right knee (making a '4' shape with my legs). I have full range of motion with my knee and do not get any other pain other than the sharp pain out of no where (usually lasting 5-10 seconds). im 30, M and 5'11 165 and pretty active. Was using the RICE method but after seeing the doctor yesterday finally after months of pain and not seeing any results, i started to use heat and just last week started doing the foam roller as described above.
Helpful - 1
2 Comments
Figured out it was Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), or runner's knee. I would get the sharp pain when sitting and having my knee bent for too long. Started stretching and using a foam roller in the morning, in the evening, and once before bed. Been icing my knee twice a day for 20 minutes each time. Just bought resistant bands and planning on doing physical therapy at home to strengthen the knee again. Also taking Aleve for the inflammation.  
Please ignore my diagnosis of Runner's Knee. My knee pain is more of a knee cap tracking issue. Foam rolling your inner thigh (VMO) helps immensely along with doing leg strength exercises. I use a foam roller on the whole leg but target the inner thigh. Trying to fix posture as well. Hope this helps someone!
Avatar universal
It isn't a local pain. That's just the symptom. If it is the right knee you are feeling the pain in, then your spleen is too acidic and 95% chance that your liver isn't functioning properly  (remember, the liver can be 75% damaged and we wouldn't feel it or know it and it can still fully recover) if it's the left knee - pancreas is having problems. In either case your entire lower back, hip, thighs, hamstrings and glute muscles are tight, distressed, tender and need relief.
Also in both cases lymph system isn't moving well enough or fast enough. If lymph and glands functioned properly that pain would have been gone within 48hrs never to return again.
Many, easy, cheap, fast ways to fix all this.

Good luck guys!
Helpful - 1
3 Comments
What would you recommend as a solution here please?
Same question from me.....
What the what??? Am I the only one who thinks that is insane? I mean, I couldn't tell if that post was a joke or what. It's just so asinine. Sorry, no offense. Just giving my opinion.
Avatar universal
My story is similar to many of these except my pain is on the bottom outer (lateral) part of my knee, maybe an inch below the bottom of the kneecap.

The pain is excruciating, hits without warning, and goes away just as quickly, seemingly not dependent on whether I'm active or at rest. I had an MRI and it showed only low grade chondromalacia (slight erosion of the cartilage under the kneecap).

After a few days of this the pain went away and I was fine for 3 months, at which point it came back as bad as before. I've seen orthopedic specialists who have only recommended NSAIDs and physical therapy.

Hope you all find relief!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I had same symptom 2 years ago .. My specialist doctor diagnosed arthritis .. What was happening was a piece of torn tissue seemed to be ocaisionall touching a nerve in my knee ...I could have had key hole surgery but he suggested to wait and see if this small piece of tissue would break off naturally .. I think this happened a few weeks later ... I have same problem now .. Can't get appointment for few weeks .. Will see how I goes
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I feel same needle-like sharp pain at the right side of my right knee just below the kneecap. It happens once in a while, some times 2 - 3 times in a day and lasts for about 15 - 30 secs. The pain is extremely intense and i usually hold my leg and try not to move until the pain is gone. It happens mostly when am sitted or lying down and on few occasions while walking. I have been experiencing this for over 5 years now, haven't seen any doctor yet cos the pain comes and goes almost immediately. I am 27 years old, female. If anyone finds anything that can be helpful, kindly share with us, your fellow knee-pain sufferers :)
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
My wife has experienced this sharp, scream worthy, dibilitating pain in her knee lasting no more than 5 seconds, since she was 12 years old.

She's 60 now. she calls it a dislocation, of what I don't know. Any position, anytime every few months. Sometimes a year in between

No doctor has helped her, it happens in both knees now, the last time was driving down the "I" yesterday, so I thought I would google this, it is good in a way to see others have this problem, but sad I found no answers.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have had this twice, once about 5 months ago, just walking in the house and this morning, reading paper & drinking coffee..  Suddenly a sharp pain in my left knee that caused me to say "OUCH, WTF"  my wife asked if I needed her and could she get some rub,, 30 seconds later it's gone. I think nerve problem cause any muscle thing doesn't come and go that fast. My knees have always "snapped" when climbing stairs, took a stretching class last years, " put your back against the wall and slide down"  the noise from my knees told me "No,, not for us" I will mention this to my Dr  but don't expect him to have any ideas due to the time lapse.. I'm 68, not prime jogging guy...
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Avatar universal
I have a question...other than provide a place for people to realize that they are not alone with knee pain problems, what is the purpose of this site? Do I have to belong to something to hear/read the solutions, treatments, and cures?
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Good Question!
Avatar universal
Same boat as you all. Insanely intense pain, out of nowhere, then completely gone! This has been going on for almost a year now for me. Some days/weeks are better than others - attacks are less frequent or even non existent. Then other times it happens 3-5 times a day. I do find quite often that if I bend down and touch my toes while the attack is happening this lends some relief which leads me to believe that it's related to a nerve and/or fascia in my back which runs down into my knee.  The extent to which this condition is so painful and so similar among everyone posting here - to the point that it makes you literally afraid of the pain thus greatly affecting quality of life -  it surprises me that there are no definitive medical answers.  I've tried chiro, physio, massage, IMS (muscular trigger point therapy), and am now considering platelet injections.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I've been having the EXACT same problems as you all. Sudden, sharp pain on the inner side of my knee close to my kneecap. It's intense, lasts for 15-20 seconds (sometimes has lasted closer to a minute), and practically debilitates me when it happens. It's completely random, although it seems to come on almost always when I'm either sitting or lying down (rarely when I'm standing and almost never during activity like sports or exercise). I've done a lot of looking around the Internet and there doesn't seem to be a condition/diagnosis that really fits. I'm planning on getting my chiropractor to help, as I'm sure an orthopod would just prescribe antibiotics or write it off, especially based on some of you all's experiences. Please post back on here if any of you get an answer to this problem. I have found that taking Garden of Life FYI joint and cartilage formula (on Amazon) has made it almost completely go away, but if I get inconsistent with taking it the pain will come back. Really want to know what this is. I'm 37 and am generally not sporty, just regular activity level although I play drums every week on Sundays and Wednesdays (this pain has never hit me while drumming interestingly).
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Avatar universal
kneepain15 did it ever work? I'm a 22 yo female with this problem right above right side of left kneecap. It's very short 2-3 second then like nothing happened.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I was experiencing the same symptoms. Severe sharp unexpected burst of pain. I told my uncle about it and he an aged intelligent man said “Magnesium” take a magnesium supplement pill 250 mg  and it will go away rarely quickly. IT WORKED!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Came back to tell you what the Dr explained, I was diagnosed with PCOS which lead to diabetes type 2, the pain I experienced was shooting nerve pain.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same here. Had it recurring five years ago for a month. Was very dangerous when driving. I got an accupuncture treatment with electric wires attached to the needles. It went away immediately, till last week. Noe its worse than before, and more constsnt. Makes me scrram and cry. Worse pain imaginable. Crying right now.  Have an appointment for accupuncture tomorrow. Worried about the drive both ways. Right knee. The needles hurt like hell around the knee, but it works.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've had this same problem, intermittent sharp excruciating shooting knee pain in my right knee, next to my kneecap only lasting a few seconds but enough to debilitate me. Lasted about 2 weeks and went away, now it's back 4 months later. It's not a bone spur as that pain would be while walking, this pain mostly happens when sitting down or lying down, sometimes happens while standing but not often. I have runner's knee, pain only when going up and down stairs and wondering if that is the cause. Will start taking Collagen and hopefully see a Dr once this quarantine is over, life isn't very fun right now, I am terrified of this pain, it happens very frequently for me about once an hour.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been experiencing this problem for the last 6 weeks.  I have done a crap load of research and the best answer I could find was Meralgia Parasthetica. Ive had an xray and ultra sound where I am feeling the pain but I believe it's the result of an entrapped lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in my pelvis. I will be having an MRI next week to see what we can find and hopefully have a diagnosis.  I am currently takin NBN 1200mg of gabapentin per dsy which helps keep the shocks to a minimum. It works but its only a mask.  Im trying to find the cause and fix it for good.
Hope this helps.  I will update next week after MRI.
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5 Comments
Btw... my pain is approx 1 inch above my left knee cap inbetween my inner and outer quad muscle. I believe it's nerve pain.  Happens randomly for no reason. Sudden Electric shock type pain.  Can last 5 seconds or pulsate for 1-2 minutes.  Its intitial pulse is always excruciating and I jump out of my skin as it hits me very suddenly like a baseball bat. Very strange and extremely painful not to mention frustrating when you're trying to go about your daily business. Will keep everyone updated with my findings.
Any news?
had xray, ultrasound And mri. Doctors were clueless.  I asked the doctor to give me some Gabapentin to treat it. This kept the symptoms at bay for 6 months or so.  Then it went away. I have been pain free for a few months now. Weird.
btw.. i have stopped taking the gabapentin. Maybe 5 months now. No more pain
Thank you for your response, I was told it was diabetic type 2 nerve pain.
Avatar universal
Very old post I realize, but reading through the responses I just recently started experiencing the identical issue so many of you have described. I am a 58 yr old Ironman and I continue to run, bike, play soccer and golf - all of them quite often. This issue just began for me about a week ago after a 30 mile bike ride. The pain at times makes me "lose my breath" just because it is so random, but is very painful. Very quick pain like a long needle going into my knee for a few seconds - just like  many others have described. This pain can go on for hours at a time, just happening every few minutes or so , for 5 or 10 seconds at a time. So any new advice would really be helpful. I am trying to take a break from all my activities to see if it helps. My pain comes at any time - I might be sitting, standing , laying down , walking, you name it. All I know is that it hurts a lot and I've never had anything like this in my life. thanks
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5 Comments
For me, i was able to get rid of the pain by stretching legs regularly and doing at home physical therapy work outs. I laid down with ankle weights and did leg lifts (laid on my back did 4 sets with each leg 15 reps. lay on each side and do both legs side ways for 4 sets if you lay down on your right side, lift left leg for IT Band strengthening and then right leg to target inner thigh.  and then 4 sets laying on stomach and lift your legs/heels up to target hamstrings. I put a foam roller against the wall and would do air squats. Foam rolling the whole leg as well at the end. I believe mine was caused from a tracking issue with my knee. Take a look at your posture and hip alignment, especially if you sit or stand a lot. iced my knee after the work outs as my knee would feel pretty warm. Hope this helps.
Also, muscle imbalance in the legs may be causing the tracking issue in the knee which i feel the workouts helped get the muscles more balanced. I did this pretty much everyday for 2-3 months. I also remember doing a a stationary bike to see if that would help and right after the work out i probably had the worst on set pain attack right after (noticed you mentioned you bike). I also bought some orthodics off amazon that may have help straighten my walk.
Thank you Roycen for this excellent information.  We appreciate your sharing your valuable experience!
I think it has alot to do with stretching after being in activity. I spend a good 5 minutes stretching pretty much every part of my legs. I've only had 2 episodes in 3 months. My most succesful stretch is putting the foot of the affected knee on an elevation (1 foot height) then push hips forward to stretch the front part of  the hip / top thigh. I think it has to do with the origin of the rectus femoris muscle or maybe sartorius. Google "origin rectus femoris" and stretch it real good! Good luck, worked for me. (PS. If i forget to stretch after a workout, i get the pain, every time)
Pardon me, I meant to say the opposite foot from affected knee.
Avatar universal
Hello,
I’m experiencing similar pulsating electric shock symptoms around the outside of my right knee. Short excruciating pain for 10-15 second burst at a time. Any updates on prognosis?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had similar pain just recently start on the inner part of my right knee.  It feels like it’s a muscle or tendon that just got stabbed! It lasts a few minutes, comes and goes. I started to use an ointment called Deep Tissue from Dr. Schultze herbal clinic in Marina Del Rey, CA. It seems to go away for a few weeks.  I have only used the ointment at the time of the pain,  but will start using it regularly to see if it goes away permanently.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I’m desperate for answers. The pain went away for a few months and now it’s back with a vengeance. At this point I’d amputate my leg if I knew the pain would stop. It literally feels like someone is zapping me with a cattle prod. I’ve had ultrasound and mri and nothing can be seen. The pain is right behind my left knee and it’s been happening intermittently for over 2 years. I want my life back.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
It's hard to diagnose you but in the past 2 years, have you done any exercising or physical therapy? my pain was just below my left knee cap, inner part of the knee. Everyday i stretched and foam rolled my legs as well as doing physical therapy at home. (air squats, leg lifts with ankle weights, etc.. ) i had the knee pain for most of 2017 and it stopped in March of this year (January/February 2018 was when i really started physical therapy.) I still can't confirm why I had the sharp knee pain that everyone else describes in this forum, but i do believe it was caused by a tracking issue with my knee due to a muscle imbalance. The muscle imbalance can be cause by pore posture, especially if you sit a lot (hips be misaligned). Hope this helps, and if you need more information on the workouts i did, let me know and ill send the links.
How has the pain been, did it continue to get better? If so I'd love to know what exercises helped!
Avatar universal
X-rays didnt show anything in my knee. I regularly have these pain symptoms. I've found that exercising and stretching - massaging different areas - especially BEHIND the knee - reduces the frequency. When I find different areas behind the knee that are painful I put my thumb there and apply a ton of pressure for 20 seconds. It hurts but i can feel the muscles going into a relaxed state. Try different things. stand on a tennisball - massage under feet - gastrocnemius - soleus - anterior tibialis - exercise regularly - focus on doing 1 legged exercises! leg press with 1 leg at a time - lower weights! Good luck.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I’m desperate for answers. The pain went away for a few months and now it’s back with a vengeance. At this point I’d amputate my leg if I knew the pain would stop. It literally feels like someone is zapping me with a cattle prod. I’ve had ultrasound and mri and nothing can be seen. The pain is right behind my left knee and it’s been happening intermittently for over 2 years. I want my life back.
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