Shooting leg pain

[SimplyMelissa]

For the past 2 years I had condramalita of the patella  in my right knee and recently I started having a pain in my right hip. This morning I woke up and I had a shooting pain starting from my right ankle into my knee and into my hip and it is very painful to walk or move it and it feels slightly numb. I'm not sure what to do I need help, I'm on vacation so I can't go to my doctor at home and I really don't know what to do. The pain has been here for about 3 hours please help me.

[jemma116]

My son at the age of 7 was diagnosed with chondromalacia patella and the doctor advised specific exercises to strength the muscles around the knee.

Because at this moment in time you have an acute problem, do NOT do any strengthening exercises.

The shooting pain that is arising from your ankle may or may not be related to your knee problem.

I suggest you apply a cold compress to your ankle and have the whole leg elevated as much as possible.  Keep your weight off that foot and leg.  Take pain medication as prescribed on the packet.

Because the ankle and hip came on very suddenly with the sharp shooting pains, I suggest you find the nearest hospital and ask someone to take you to the ER room.  The hospital usually have available wheelchairs, so do get someone to assist you in the wheelchair.  Of course you would not be able to take it home with you, but the hospital may do imaging on the hip and ankle and provide you with walking aids or give you advice regarding what to do.

A shooting pain going up from the ankle can be a damage to a tendon or bone.  A shooting pain in the hip may be impingement of a nerve.

Get someone to take you to the ER urgently.

Let me know how you get on.
Best wishes.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Melissa,

Welcome to our Pain Management Forum. I'm sorry you are having increased pain on your vacation. It's not uncommon but it can be frightening.

For those readers that don't know, chondromalacia patella — is a general term indicating damage to the cartilage under your kneecap. Obviously that cartilage is the cushion for our knees. Chondromalacia patella - also  brings chronic pain in the knees. Your pain will increase with activity. It's a common occurrence with this patella condition.

Ice, rest, NSAIDs should reduce the pain. I know that's difficult when your on vacation.  Keeping the leg elevated should also help. A Pharmacist can also offer you some good suggestions. Don't forget to consult one - they are free and often very helpful. You may also want to call your medical provider for suggestions.

When we have a "part" of our extremity that is injured or painful we tend to protect that area - often we are not even aware of the protective mode our body takes in these situations. What does that mean for you? Other parts of your extremity takes on the stress that your knee would normally handle - so they can develop stress issues, more pain, sometimes swelling and so forth as they attempt to compensate for the injured part.

I hate to put a damper on your vacation - but it's important that you get off that right leg and rest it for awhile. Ask your pharmacist if a cane or something to support your knee may also be helpful.

Please let us know how you are doing. And please try to enjoy the rest of your vacation - even though it require less physical activity on your part. I'll look forward to hearing from you again.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[namnam46]

Hi Melissa!  

First, I want to let you know how glad I am you found our PM (Pain Management) Forum.

I''m so very sorry that you are experiencing this pain when you are on vacation.  I, too, am on vacation and worry about this same thing happening to me.

Do you by any chance mean you have Condramalacia of the patella? Now let me ask you whther you have any medication for your condition that you can take. If so, and you haven't already taken it, I would take it.  If you have already done that, which you probably have, I would TRY to contact your Dr. at home and ask him what he/she would suggest that you do. IF you can't get thru to him/her then I would definitely consider going to the ER or Urgent Care whichever your insurance will cover.

I'm just so very sorry that you are having to go thru all of this while you SHOULD be having only fun NOT pain.  :(

I wish I had more to offer and hopefully someone else will come along that does.  PLEASE let us know what.you find out and how you are doing.  Also, when you get home, I hope you will consider becoming an active member on our Forum as we have many embers with different pain issues on here.

Looking forward to your updates and wishing you the very best.  .....  Sherry  :)