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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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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Avatar universal
T
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I have the exact same thing. It just started a few months ago. I'm 64 years old. It comes without warning. But with me, nothing brings it on. I don't do that much exercise. It happens randomly.  I have not heard of any answers nor do I have one myself. I just wanted to let you know you're not alone
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As I understand it this could also be a symptom of chronic Lyme disease. Some people have it never knowing they were infected with Lyme disease in the first place. I was diagnosed with it and this has been a recurring problem. Of course I don’t know for sure they aren’t two unrelated problems but it’s something worth checking into. There is a part of the medical community that denies the existence of chronic
Lyme disease but I wouldn’t dismiss it.
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.
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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
Like everyone else I have no answers to the intense pain I get behind and on the sides of my left knee. Pain is so intense even one ten second episode is enough to ruin my day. However, my doctor said I was flat footed and putting too much weight on the inside of my feet, especially my left foot. Making appt with podiatrist. Hopefully find some answers. Be strong my fellow mystery pain sufferers.
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Avatar universal
OMG, you have absolutely, perfectly described the problem I'm having -- like, word for word! Mine just started this week, so I haven't spoken to the doctor yet. Please let me know if you ever figured this out!

Pertinent facts: 15 yr old female, inactive, 30 lbs overweight :-/
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Avatar universal
Hi All, 55 YO male here.  I have had mild achy knee pain on the left knee for a couple of years.  I was dealing with it and it didn't really affect my lifestyle.  I'm lean and fit, don't exercise overly (just 3-4 mile walks 2-3 times a week).  However, the last few months, I would get the occasional sharp pain in the left knee, that would make me buckle over and grab the knee, but it wouldn't last more than a couple of seconds.  Last Friday, as I was sitting at my desk, I experienced what you all have mentioned here.  Extreme pain, that would come and go, and then no pain, and then extreme pain.  It lasted about an hour of on again and off again pain..less intermittent as the hour wore on, and ending with a level 20 attack (on a scale of 1-10) and then disappearing.  I went to the dr. and the chiro.  They don't know what it is...the chiro took an x-ray...everything looked fine.  The dr. will refer me to an ortho/sports medicine guy, for MRI or ultra sound.  The night of the attack I had dinner with a friend who coincidently brought his personal trainer.  The personal trainer told me to role out my thigh, exterior and interior (just like Norwegian PT) mentioned above.  No attacks again - but its only been 3 days since the last attack.  I will let you know what the MRI shows if anything.
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Avatar universal
Hi All, 55 YO male here.  I have had mild achy knee pain on the left knee for a couple of years.  I was dealing with it and it didn't really affect my lifestyle.  I'm lean and fit, don't exercise overly (just 3-4 mile walks 2-3 times a week).  However, the last few months, I would get the occasional sharp pain in the left knee, that would make me buckle over and grab the knee, but it wouldn't last more than a couple of seconds.  Last Friday, as I was sitting at my desk, I experienced what you all have mentioned here.  Extreme pain, that would come and go, and then no pain, and then extreme pain.  It lasted about an hour of on again and off again pain..less intermittent as the hour wore on, and ending with a level 20 attack (on a scale of 1-10) and then disappearing.  I went to the dr. and the chiro.  They don't know what it is...the chiro took an x-ray...everything looked fine.  The dr. will refer me to an ortho/sports medicine guy, for MRI or ultra sound.  The night of the attack I had dinner with a friend who coincidently brought his personal trainer.  The personal trainer told me to role out my thigh, exterior and interior (just like Norwegian PT) mentioned above.  No attacks again - but its only been 3 days since the last attack.  I will let you know what the MRI shows if anything.
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Avatar universal
Same thing happens to me.  23 y/o female, 5'5" 129lbs, active and healthy.  Someone else described it perfectly above - "a spike of level 3 pain for about a second or two, followed by a reduction down to about level 1-2 pain, followed 1-2 seconds later by 5-30 seconds of level 10 pain, followed by no pain".  I can always feel it coming on (speaking of which, I can feel it happening right now >:( ).  Level of activity doesn't affect the pain, neither does any movement or massage of the area.  A few months ago when this started, the pain would happen at a specific movement during running, and it would cause my whole left leg to collapse under me.  Now it's just the random, intermittent pain.  I feel stupid going to a doctor when I have full range of motion of my leg and can't even explain or show what brings the pain on.  I'm guessing it's something nerve related in the knee.
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I am a 70 year old male, physically active (walk 4 miles a day 5 days a week), had both knees replaced at age 60, and this severe random shooting pulse/pain (sometimes level 7 or 8) started Friday night at 3:30 AM. When the pulse hits, it is very sharp, but lasts only for less than a second, then quickly fades away. Can't sleep with a severe plus happens randomly but averages about every 10 seconds in the lower left knee cap area of my left knee. Tried two Gabapentin 300 mg, along with two Aleeve.  Tried  Deep Blue and other essential oils. No help.Got through Friday night with less sleep than normal. Saturday morning I was actively working in the garage and the random but severe pulse of pain went away until Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM. Tried a body brush that has hard knobs and massaged the area and that seemed to stop the pulsing for about 10 minutes, but then came back. Then tried an ice pack, a hot pad, a vibrator all with no improvement. Pulsing continued when I went to bed at 9:30 PM. Got up, took Aleeve, Gabapentin, massaged the area for a half hour. No help. Was thinking if I went to the hospital or a 24 hour Urgent care, they would only give me some other pain med to get me through the night.

So, I then took a Zolpidem 10mg sleeping pill. It worked within 5 minutes. The pulsing went away and I slept from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM without any pulsing. Now that the Zolpidem has worn off, the pulsing has started again. But I can't take another Zolpidem during the day, so planning to go to a Chiropractor today (Sunday) and if that doesn't work, take another Zolpidem tonight and go to my primary care physician on Monday, hoping for a referral to a specialist.
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Avatar universal
I literally just had this happen to me. This is the second time. I have no odea what it is and has happened both times, at rest. It's on the medial left knee, not on the kneecap. Sharp, stabbing pain that lasts about 10 seconds. Feels like a horrible Charlie horse but it's not followed by tightness of a muscle, just pain. Then, it dissipates completely with no residual pain. I'm at a loss and came across this when I was searching for answers. I wish someone could figure this out. The pain is horrific.
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I have the same kind of pain that started last night and continues. I get it all of a sudden and just disappears. Comes back again and leaves no traces. Try wearing warm crepe bandage for sometime. I'm going to try that myself. Good luck. Could be a vitamin B 12 deficiency.
For me at least, it can't be a b12 deficiency.  I take a b12 supplement and don't have any other symptoms such as fatigue etc.  
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! :)
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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
I had just started feeling this exact pain as well, and I am 19  and fit. I am on my feet almost all day other than sleep. I had never had a problem before and then it came out of no where and happened 3 times in one day. Then it went away for a week or so and now it has been back for a few days. I have been feeling pain in the right knee cap that comes and goes with no relation to orientation of knee. The pain can last just for a few seconds or a bit longer. Has not happened to me while sleeping. Moving the leg seems to ease the pain. It is a little scary and I am worried about having the free time to go see a Ortho. I will try to keep you guys updated on the situation.
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Avatar universal
Has anyone come up with a diagnosis for this sharp knee pain?  I have been bothered for almost a year and it has gotten much worse.  I have had an Xray of my knee and an MRI of my spine.  Nothing was found.  I need to find out the cause and can not just live with it  If anyone that has had these sharp knee pains has found out anything PLEASE let me know.
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Avatar universal
Yes, I dealt with this pain last night & off & on For a few while now.I wonder why
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