Leg problems

[riptide]

About three and a half years ago I had a nasty fall with the dog, as a result of which I was taken off to hospital. When I fell I heard an almighty crack in my right leg, about 3 inches below my outside knee, as a result of which I could not straighten my knee. I waited for hours, during which time I managed to get my knee straight again (heard it pop in), although could not walk properly. They did not have time to xray and suggested I go home and if it did not get better to go to my doctor.

I rested and after about a week or so was walking okay, but a problem arose in that if I sat in a certain position, my leg clicked out (agony, could not walk) and I had to lay on a settee and gradually get it to straighten over 1/2 hours. This went on for another two years and then for some unknown reason it just started to click out everyday and I can now get it back into position without too much delay, although it is agony when it goes.

I know you are all saying why oh why did I not go to the doctors, but I have had lots of ops and really did not fancy anymore, as I am sure there must be something wrong here. Also I have commitments with animals etc and do not have family who could help.

The problem arises when the leg is bent, it seems to go out of alignment. I am concerned because as I am getting older am I doing more harm than good by not going to the doctors?

I have looked on the internet and just cannot see what this could be, anyone any ideas. Thanks.

[Eve]

Could it be something like the tendons slipping out of place and moving the bone (sublaxation I think it's called) from the initial injury?

If it's getting worse then get it looked at as if it's going to continue and be more frequent then if you need to get referred to a specialist then having tests and such before any treatment it could be a bit of a wait so the sooner you get it looked at the sooner you might get some help for it.

[Sqad]

These are classical symptoms of a tear to the lateral semilunar cartilage of the knee. The treatment is that operative intervention or live with the disability and pain with the inevitable development of arthritis in that knee resulting in knee replacement.

[woofgang]

Go and see a physio therapist. Find one that deals in sports injuries. I have (almost certainly) a meniscal tear in one knee but I got physio advice and treatment and I now function normally, can walk my dogs, run upstairs, everything. Yes you may need surgery but it's worth a try. The bloke I see also has a tear and doesn't fancy surgery so he could understand how I felt.

[Sqad]

Be sure it is a tear...MRI scan....then Wolfgang makes a good point on treating it conservatively.

[beso]

Damage to ligaments and tendons is very common as we age. They become calcified and lose their elasticity especially if they are not stretched regularly . What would spring back in our youth tears as we age. It is largely invitable.

However to our younger members I say "stretch your ligaments and tendons regularly, use it or lose it".

[riptide]

Thanks all, I can understand what you are saying sqad, but what I do not understand is why the pain is coming from where the original crack happened which is about 3 inches below my knee on the outside of the leg. Why should it be my knee when the pain is in my leg? I know it affects the knee as it tightens at the back of it when it happens, but the immense pain is in the leg, not the knee. Forgive my ignorance, but I thought it must be that I had damaged the ligaments in the my leg running up to the knee? Oh well, I expect some time soon will have to visit the doctor, not been for 10 years since I had my cancer, so not bad going.

[Sqad]

rippy....the pain may be referred pain........that is coming from the knee and referred via nerve roots to the leg.

[riptide]

Ah thank you sqad for your comments, unfortunately I think I am going the same way with my knees as my mother and her twin sister, both suffered with problems as they got older. Obviously the fall has not helped and I will think on what you have said. No harm I suppose in seeing a physio therapist as wolfgang says and see what they say. There is one about a mile away that I know my friend's husband uses and he specialises in sports injuries. Thanks all for your input, much appreciated.