Has anyone had it where they can't bend their rt knee at all because the pain is so great?

[Katcon0611]

About a year ago, everytime I walked for a straight 10 - 15 minutes I would be unable to bend my knee because of the pain.  However, I would slowly keep trying and after 1/2 hour to an hour it would be ok.  Over the course of the year the time got longer for it taking me to be able to bend my knee again.  Soon, it wouldn't take much and I couldn't bend my knee at all.  I have had an x-ray where the NURSE told me I had arthritis and inflamation.  I had an MRI that showed a ganglion cyst on the PCL.  Still the doc said that wouldn't be causing my pain.  The worse pain is climibing stairs and driving.  Sitting for long periods also kills whereas I get shooting pains down my leg into my foot.  The pain is worse than labor but it is in spirts and not in one area.  the back of my knee is sore but around my knee on the sides get shooting pains as well as the top of my knee.  Sleeping is extremely uncomfortable.  The doctor has given me a cortizone shot as well as a 6 day steroid pack which seemed to help on the 6th day because I could drive without pain for about 4 days after.  I am in Physical therapy 2 times a week to see if it's my hips??  So does anyone have any suggestions?  I am diagnosing myslef because I'm not getting too far anywhere else and the pain is awful.  I have 2 young children and I can't be walking up the stairs like I'm 90.

thanks

[daylenmil]

The Knee problem has been all over the spectrum for me. In most reports it is found that arthritis occurs after injury to the knee. My Doctor says the Bakers Cyst is on the side of the Knee. Having the knee injury in 2003, there was no prior problems, No Arthritis. MRI and x-rays’ caused the Reading Doctor to assume there was some damage. The Knee stayed swollen for 7 years. After 3 years the readings were indicating Arthritis. Now in 2011 it is minimal cartilage, and have been disabled. When I went to Orthopedists in March, I pressed for partial knee replacement, and he wants go through a series of 5 Synvisc 6 Unit injections which Equal the Synvisc-1 One Time Injection before any surgery as a lubricant to the knees, and really doesn't want to do a partial replacement without. With the technology of today why can't they just make an insert to replace the cartilage?

[Dr_Veena]

Hi,
     Thanks for writing in. Cyst at the back of the knee is usually Baker’s cyst. This causes pain in the knee. You can consider the removal of this cyst and see if pain subsides.

All the best.

[Katcon0611]

Could the cyst cause the pain?  I am early 40's and thin.

[Dr_Veena]

Hi,
    How are you? Arthritis, of any origin is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. As the protective cartilage is worn away by knee arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the joint. And when this bone participates in movement severe pain is caused. Knee arthritis typically affects patients over 50 years of age. It is more common in patients who are overweight, and weight loss tends to reduce the symptoms associated with knee arthritis. There is also a genetic predisposition to this condition. Other factors that can contribute to developing knee arthritis include trauma to the knee, meniscus tears or ligament damage, and fractures to the bone around the joint.

I think, it is the trauma and ligament tear, that have contributed to arthritis in your case. If the arthritis in your case is rheumatic or due to any other cause that should be treated first to prevent all these symptoms. The other treatments include weight loss if obese, limited activity, aquatic exercise, antiinflammatory drugs, cortisone injections, walking aids, physical therapy etc.

If conservative treatments do not help, like in your case knee replacement surgery can be considered. Synvisc may be effective against pain in some patients with knee arthritis and may delay the need for knee replacement surgery.
Best.