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Unknown and recurring tendon/ligament burning/tearing pain followed by numbness
For the past several years I've had long periods (upwards of 6 months at a time) of excruciating burning/tearing pain in various tendons or ligaments when stretched.
The first occurrence was in my right knee. If I bent my knee near its maximum extent (such as when kneeling, crouching or climbing into bed), I experienced an incredibly painful tearing/burning sensation in the area of my patellar tendon. I would immediately react and straighten my knee and the pain would completely dissipate within several minutes. Afterward the area would feel about 50% numb, as if injected with a mild local anesthetic that was slowly wearing off, for several hours. I mentioned this to my doctor and he just dismissed it as "you probably just strained your knee", but I hadn't. Normal walking, running, jumping, etc caused no pain, weakness or instability and there was no swelling, bruising or other external indication of injury. It was only while fully bent that the pain occurred. This episode lasted for at least 6 months. Then, as quickly and mysteriously as it appeared, it was gone.
Some months later, I went to step up on a curb and I experienced the same tearing pain in my right Achilles tendon when I bent my foot upward near its max extent. Just as with the knee, the pain subsided within a few minutes and a numbness was left behind. This lasted several months as well, then suddenly disappeared.
Next, the same happened in my right knee again, although this time it was in my Lateral Collateral ligament area. This lasted for several months as well. During this particular episode the numbness that followed the pain never completely subsided, though. When the episode was over, I was left with a persisting slight numbness and slight pain sensitivity to external pressure (sensitive to the touch).
About a month ago my fourth episode began and continues today. This time it's along the outside of my right big toe and occurs when I extend my foot downward and point my toes, such as when putting on a pair of pants. Like the last episode, the numbness is not subsiding after a pain attack.
Overall the pain is short-lived when I forget myself and accidentally induce it. It's more of a nuisance than anything, but at the same time it's troubling to think that there could be an underlying reason which may be serious.
So I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced this and has a name to put on it so I can either put my mind at rest or get treatment without having to battle the usual "oh, you probably strained it, take some ibuprofen and see what happens" from my doc.
Thanks!!
The first occurrence was in my right knee. If I bent my knee near its maximum extent (such as when kneeling, crouching or climbing into bed), I experienced an incredibly painful tearing/burning sensation in the area of my patellar tendon. I would immediately react and straighten my knee and the pain would completely dissipate within several minutes. Afterward the area would feel about 50% numb, as if injected with a mild local anesthetic that was slowly wearing off, for several hours. I mentioned this to my doctor and he just dismissed it as "you probably just strained your knee", but I hadn't. Normal walking, running, jumping, etc caused no pain, weakness or instability and there was no swelling, bruising or other external indication of injury. It was only while fully bent that the pain occurred. This episode lasted for at least 6 months. Then, as quickly and mysteriously as it appeared, it was gone.
Some months later, I went to step up on a curb and I experienced the same tearing pain in my right Achilles tendon when I bent my foot upward near its max extent. Just as with the knee, the pain subsided within a few minutes and a numbness was left behind. This lasted several months as well, then suddenly disappeared.
Next, the same happened in my right knee again, although this time it was in my Lateral Collateral ligament area. This lasted for several months as well. During this particular episode the numbness that followed the pain never completely subsided, though. When the episode was over, I was left with a persisting slight numbness and slight pain sensitivity to external pressure (sensitive to the touch).
About a month ago my fourth episode began and continues today. This time it's along the outside of my right big toe and occurs when I extend my foot downward and point my toes, such as when putting on a pair of pants. Like the last episode, the numbness is not subsiding after a pain attack.
Overall the pain is short-lived when I forget myself and accidentally induce it. It's more of a nuisance than anything, but at the same time it's troubling to think that there could be an underlying reason which may be serious.
So I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced this and has a name to put on it so I can either put my mind at rest or get treatment without having to battle the usual "oh, you probably strained it, take some ibuprofen and see what happens" from my doc.
Thanks!!
I have had left thigh pain and a burning feeling behind my knee for several years that is now chronic. I get gout in my feet and shin splints.
Both my knees,both ankles crackle and pop. Any old injuries seem to be coming back as phantom pains.
My doctor told me it is not diabetes, but I had gestational diabetes with both of my kids.
It is not Fibromyalgia, but 2 of my sisters and a brother have it.
It is not osteoarthritis, but my grandparents on both sides had that and
It is not drug related since I refuse all pain meds and do not drink.
I am on a low salt diet and low sugar because I expect to present with one of those disorders later in life.
I have many symptoms of the same things my siblings have. I do what I can to prolong my own health, yet it seems the past few years to have krept up in me.
Recently I had a bunch of tests done to rule out blood clots,vitamin deficiencies etc.
I feel chonic pain in many parts of my body that are not exercise related.
I am having numness and even lost 4 toenails a year ago.
The last two on each foot. Now I am getting MRI and CT scans.
This seems insane to me. So many doctors cannot pinpoint any one thing causing my distress.
I took antidepressants,bloodthinners and such. I have a child with autism I cannot afford to be doped up on pain meds or made disfunctional on antidepressants that made me angry/violent.
I notice if I lay off gluten and corn syrup,salt and sufates my symptoms reduce.
Both my knees,both ankles crackle and pop. Any old injuries seem to be coming back as phantom pains.
My doctor told me it is not diabetes, but I had gestational diabetes with both of my kids.
It is not Fibromyalgia, but 2 of my sisters and a brother have it.
It is not osteoarthritis, but my grandparents on both sides had that and
It is not drug related since I refuse all pain meds and do not drink.
I am on a low salt diet and low sugar because I expect to present with one of those disorders later in life.
I have many symptoms of the same things my siblings have. I do what I can to prolong my own health, yet it seems the past few years to have krept up in me.
Recently I had a bunch of tests done to rule out blood clots,vitamin deficiencies etc.
I feel chonic pain in many parts of my body that are not exercise related.
I am having numness and even lost 4 toenails a year ago.
The last two on each foot. Now I am getting MRI and CT scans.
This seems insane to me. So many doctors cannot pinpoint any one thing causing my distress.
I took antidepressants,bloodthinners and such. I have a child with autism I cannot afford to be doped up on pain meds or made disfunctional on antidepressants that made me angry/violent.
I notice if I lay off gluten and corn syrup,salt and sufates my symptoms reduce.
i can't move my right leg is paining and my left hand is gone short cant put it straight and now my right hand going like that !
I am 34 and male... I've been diagnosed with chronic pain before this similar occurrence...
I too have had very similar tendon/ligament ailments as many of you have mentioned. I have "loose joints"... as well as chronic pain in my back. I saw a few others mention they had "loose/hyperflexive" joints- with an early diagnosis of ADHD, though I was NOT hyperactive. My pain doctor suggested that it might be Marfan's Syndrome. It comes with those symptoms, look it up if you're interested.
I too have had: Chicken pox, and was prescribed Cipro back about 9 months ago. I first noticed that I was waking up with foot/calf spasms. Like a 'charlie-horse' in my leg... it was excruciating. It felt like the muscle was ripping loose from my leg! Then I began to develop arm problems after "breaking" the end of my elbow/funny bone. The muscles tore loose from my arm, and I was in terrible pain for months. Eventually had to pull fluid off the joint, and given a steroid injection... as it had set up Cubital Tunnel syndrome, or something similar. Was getting pins and needles in my arm hand, with bursitis on the muscle pinching off the median nerve.
Then I had an old running injury in my right knee that started acting up again. It would occasionally act up, but not this bad! I think I tore the right part of the tendon that connects my patella to my shin bone. Not all the way torn, but enough to somewhat impair my ability to use my leg. I've been having to limp around in a bandage for a couple of weeks. It had grown back, but some little kid ran in front of my in the store and I heard another POP right below my knee cap. It seems like it's swelling around the knee cap.
For all you with similar problems in your legs-- I didn't notice that my knee was really hurt at first. I began to feel a burning sensation/cut feeling on my knee or around it... later. I think sitting 'indian style' made my hyper-flexive knees (that I've had since a kid) perhaps tear something else. Maybe a tendon. Because ligament tears make you feel like you're going to faint. I broke almost all 3 of the main ones in my right foot landing on a curb, I saved one of them (saving surgery for me!) but I have a flat foot that gives me much pain now.
A suggestion I learned from my arm... it seems like when you injure a tendon, your body begins to get bursitis, or swelling of fluid in the muscle. This can pinch off the nerve... and cause some positions to feel better, and pinch the nerve off in others. I have had sciatica before, but this seems like something else in the leg instead... maybe around the knee. I usually wrap the knee and try not to over-extend the knee... and then do slight walking after it gets a bit better... to increase strength lost and to compensate with other muscle groups-- which i would recommend.
It sounds like many of you are describing either a misaligned joint and/or tendinitis or ligament tears. This would explain swelling in the muscle with pain when flexing. I truly believe this became MUCH more worse since Cipro. I've been taking Advil and it somewhat keeps it at bay... but I've noticed my right big toe (of the right knee hurt) seems to be going numb. Or feels like it's gone to sleep.
I've heard about tendon tears with Cipro before... i didn't want to take it because I already had back issues-- but they insisted on it.
BTW, has anyone checked your kneecap (patella)? Mine was somewhat out of alignment, and was painful around the area of the knee. Look up about the knee, and you can see just how many groups of connective tissue make it up. Sit with both legs exactly in the same position, and then feel and see if all the edges feel exactly the same. Make sure you're at the same angle with knee/leg and everything. This might point you in the right direction.
Also-- many of you seem to be describing bursitis of the leg/knee which definitely could affect the nerve, as it did with my arm and presently leg. My whole foot feels stiff and seems to be popping more frequently. Sometimes it feels like my whole lower leg "relocates" into socket. It feels good, as it tends to ache with the colder weather and swelling.
Hope you all find this to be helpful! Feel better soon. Would immobilize the joint, NSAIDs, and/or ice then heat after the injury is "fresh". And perhaps wrap knee or other joint with ACE bandage, not too tight as it could cause more circulation problems. Best of luck!
I too have had very similar tendon/ligament ailments as many of you have mentioned. I have "loose joints"... as well as chronic pain in my back. I saw a few others mention they had "loose/hyperflexive" joints- with an early diagnosis of ADHD, though I was NOT hyperactive. My pain doctor suggested that it might be Marfan's Syndrome. It comes with those symptoms, look it up if you're interested.
I too have had: Chicken pox, and was prescribed Cipro back about 9 months ago. I first noticed that I was waking up with foot/calf spasms. Like a 'charlie-horse' in my leg... it was excruciating. It felt like the muscle was ripping loose from my leg! Then I began to develop arm problems after "breaking" the end of my elbow/funny bone. The muscles tore loose from my arm, and I was in terrible pain for months. Eventually had to pull fluid off the joint, and given a steroid injection... as it had set up Cubital Tunnel syndrome, or something similar. Was getting pins and needles in my arm hand, with bursitis on the muscle pinching off the median nerve.
Then I had an old running injury in my right knee that started acting up again. It would occasionally act up, but not this bad! I think I tore the right part of the tendon that connects my patella to my shin bone. Not all the way torn, but enough to somewhat impair my ability to use my leg. I've been having to limp around in a bandage for a couple of weeks. It had grown back, but some little kid ran in front of my in the store and I heard another POP right below my knee cap. It seems like it's swelling around the knee cap.
For all you with similar problems in your legs-- I didn't notice that my knee was really hurt at first. I began to feel a burning sensation/cut feeling on my knee or around it... later. I think sitting 'indian style' made my hyper-flexive knees (that I've had since a kid) perhaps tear something else. Maybe a tendon. Because ligament tears make you feel like you're going to faint. I broke almost all 3 of the main ones in my right foot landing on a curb, I saved one of them (saving surgery for me!) but I have a flat foot that gives me much pain now.
A suggestion I learned from my arm... it seems like when you injure a tendon, your body begins to get bursitis, or swelling of fluid in the muscle. This can pinch off the nerve... and cause some positions to feel better, and pinch the nerve off in others. I have had sciatica before, but this seems like something else in the leg instead... maybe around the knee. I usually wrap the knee and try not to over-extend the knee... and then do slight walking after it gets a bit better... to increase strength lost and to compensate with other muscle groups-- which i would recommend.
It sounds like many of you are describing either a misaligned joint and/or tendinitis or ligament tears. This would explain swelling in the muscle with pain when flexing. I truly believe this became MUCH more worse since Cipro. I've been taking Advil and it somewhat keeps it at bay... but I've noticed my right big toe (of the right knee hurt) seems to be going numb. Or feels like it's gone to sleep.
I've heard about tendon tears with Cipro before... i didn't want to take it because I already had back issues-- but they insisted on it.
BTW, has anyone checked your kneecap (patella)? Mine was somewhat out of alignment, and was painful around the area of the knee. Look up about the knee, and you can see just how many groups of connective tissue make it up. Sit with both legs exactly in the same position, and then feel and see if all the edges feel exactly the same. Make sure you're at the same angle with knee/leg and everything. This might point you in the right direction.
Also-- many of you seem to be describing bursitis of the leg/knee which definitely could affect the nerve, as it did with my arm and presently leg. My whole foot feels stiff and seems to be popping more frequently. Sometimes it feels like my whole lower leg "relocates" into socket. It feels good, as it tends to ache with the colder weather and swelling.
Hope you all find this to be helpful! Feel better soon. Would immobilize the joint, NSAIDs, and/or ice then heat after the injury is "fresh". And perhaps wrap knee or other joint with ACE bandage, not too tight as it could cause more circulation problems. Best of luck!
Excellent article on tendonitis vs. tendonosis and treatment options
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drryan13.htm
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drryan13.htm
You know I saw the date on the first one and was stunned to see one only a few days ago. I first felt the tearing sensation about 2 weeks ago squatting down to put the groceries away I though something in my jeans scraped me. I rolled up my pant leg and there was nothing there but skin. It happened again and i just kneeled to do the rest. It has been happening more frequently since then. I hoped to be able to find something there but apparently this is just something that I am going to have to get used to. My doctor is a pill guy so there is no point going to get a script. I am a 31 year old female and have had the chickenpox but not shingles (for statistics sake). I am fairly active and have suffered no injuries of my knee in about 5 years. At least I know I'm not alone!
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