Unknown and recurring tendon/ligament burning/tearing pain followed by numbness

[PSUWayne]

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!!

[DIYDzynr]

Are you, or have you ever taken statin drugs? If so, when and for how long in relation to the onset of these symptoms?

[schwalmacher]

I've just started experiencing the tearing sensations in the last few weeks. I noticed it first in my left leg, just below the knee and down the left side of the shin. When I kneeled down i experienced something akin to kneeling on a pin cushion. At the same time I also noticed that if I straightened my left leg and pointed my foot and big toe, i would get the ripping sensation people have spoken of here. I honestly thought the skin was pulling of the nail of my big toe, but inspection showed nothing. With the knee, when I initially kneel on it I get the pin cushion sensation, but if I lift it up and kneel again, it disappears. Having diligently read most of the posts on here, it appears that Dr Ranes has pretty much nailed the answer. I am 49, and notice that the majority of the posts are from people around this age group. Also I have recently had a flare up of a sciatic nerve problem which I first experienced over 10 years ago. I am also aware that my posture can be poor, I work in an office and over the last year or so, spend a fair portion of my evenings with a laptop on my, yes you guessed it, lap!  I think all these things have been contributary and agree with Dr Ranes that the best remedies are more stretching and more awareness of bad posture. I see my chiroprator every 3 months for maintenance to my lower back area. Sadly, none of us can get away from the age thing and the lack of elasticity that it brings. I have noticed my symptoms lessening recently and hope this will continue. I must thank PSU Wayne for rasing this group and Dr Ranes for his/her invaluable comments. I now feel assured that I can treat this and that it may well subside.  

[karenprosen1]

Hi everyone,

this comment might throw some of you for a loop!

I'm 23 and have been actively seeking health for a few years now. i'm right at the line just above underweight. i was a gymnast for many years and now ive been doing yoga for about 7 years.

one year ago, while i was in mexico i fell down the stairs and landed on my tailbone. the impact was strong enough to knock me unconscious. when i woke up i couldnt see, hear or move my limbs. for about 15 minutes i thought i was paralyzed, until slowly all the sensations came back. nothing was broken, but i really smashed it and still have some pain today when i sit for too long.

my first 'tearing, ripping, numbness episode' started a few weeks after this injury and was only in my right wrist. it lasted a few months. i still havent regained full feeling.

now im out of the country again, this time in india! im having this same issue again but now its in my left thigh and can trigger if i take too large of a step, so its several times a day and i have to always be conscious of it. the pain and sensitivity (because it triggers with a smaller range of motion now) has grown over the last three days. i can't do yoga or walk very fast.

the weird thing is that over the 3 months i was in mexico i didn't get my menstrual cycle at all. now being in india for 3 months, once again the same situation.

so... because of my coccyx injury and the missing menstrual cycle... i think in my case it could be either hormonal or neurological.

before the injury and still today ive been experiencing small patches of numbness in my spine. i had a brain mri 1.5 years ago to rule out MS and everything came back fine.

ive never taken antiobiotics, never had chicken pox or shingles.

[jamesdin]

I am 39 yrs old male diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease.  I am very athletic and active though i have put on more weight that I should.  my waist line still 37-38.   have this reoccuring pain/ sometimes just discomfort on my foot usually starts under the metatarsal/phalanges bone and moving to the top of the foot itself. after a day there will be stiffness surrounding the fibula and tibia while the pain increase on the top of the foot.  if this happens i will really struggle to put weight on my foot and will have dificulty walking.  after this the right foot follow.  My father and brother who suffered the same PKD never had any symptoms like this.

[texsweetie]

I have had chicken pox as a child.  Curiously, before the pain on the tops of my feet started, I began experiencing an intense itching on one area of my arm.  There is no rash noticable, but the itching is very severe, and usually happens at night.

[texsweetie]

This is exactly the same problem that I have experienced starting 9 months ago.  I'm a 60 year old, very healthy and active woman.  It started on the top of my right foot and spread to my calve, then also  egan in my left foot and has spread to that calve.  My toes are numb and the pain is worse upon rising in the morning, although I can ride my bike with little pain.  I know how debilitating the pain can be, and it's always there.