“Knee Pain Going on for 5 Years?”
I have been experiencing severe knee and associated toe pain for about 5 years now. During my freshman year of college, I went to squat down to get something and I found I could not get up. My knees got incredibly stiff and a sharp pain ran up and down my legs, originating in what felt like within my knee cap or slightly above. I was then diagnosed with patellofemoral syndrome (though I am a light exerciser and I do not run). They have since only gotten worse, and I continued to see a rheumatologist. My blood work and X-rays showed no signs of arthritis, though he thought it could be unmarked, so he tried me on Plaquenil.
I had horrendous side effects, and although I thought the medication could be helping, I stopped it because I could not get out of bed (exhaustion) being the biggest side effect. They are worst when bent at a 90-degree angle of less, when squatting, or standing in place. They are warmer to the touch and there is a balled-up muscle on the upper, outer corner of each knee (though my right is worse). When my extremities get too cold (toes), the pain in my knees seem to worsen, Currently, I am having a major flare-up, and they seem to grind when bent, and if I squat to pick something up, I get pins and needles. They are extremely painful in the mornings, but the pain is constant.
I have experienced maybe a tad of numbness. I can feel a new pain coming from behind and on the outside of my knees now, that continues up my hamstrings and into my lower back, causing more stiffness. I also have a very tight IT band that I have been trying to massage out. I am desperate for help and am only 23 years old. It makes it extremely difficult to work out or have the motivation to because I know I will be in pain for days, and just do not know what to do anymore. I have not had any major falls, though I was a dancer for some time in my childhood and tended to lock my knees a lot growing up. I have since tried to keep them unlocked, but everything seems to cause pain no matter how I compensate. Could it be bursitis? Arthritis? Reynaud's?
I had horrendous side effects, and although I thought the medication could be helping, I stopped it because I could not get out of bed (exhaustion) being the biggest side effect. They are worst when bent at a 90-degree angle of less, when squatting, or standing in place. They are warmer to the touch and there is a balled-up muscle on the upper, outer corner of each knee (though my right is worse). When my extremities get too cold (toes), the pain in my knees seem to worsen, Currently, I am having a major flare-up, and they seem to grind when bent, and if I squat to pick something up, I get pins and needles. They are extremely painful in the mornings, but the pain is constant.
I have experienced maybe a tad of numbness. I can feel a new pain coming from behind and on the outside of my knees now, that continues up my hamstrings and into my lower back, causing more stiffness. I also have a very tight IT band that I have been trying to massage out. I am desperate for help and am only 23 years old. It makes it extremely difficult to work out or have the motivation to because I know I will be in pain for days, and just do not know what to do anymore. I have not had any major falls, though I was a dancer for some time in my childhood and tended to lock my knees a lot growing up. I have since tried to keep them unlocked, but everything seems to cause pain no matter how I compensate. Could it be bursitis? Arthritis? Reynaud's?
Female | 23 years old
Complaint duration: 5 years
Medications: Celexa, Concerta, Xyzal
Conditions: ADD, Anxiety, Depression, Allergies, Asthma
3 Answers
You may want to see a Rheumatologist or Orthopedist and see if you have fluid in your knee. If there is fluid, it needs to be removed and should be sent for cell count, cultures, etc. Doubt infection since your symptoms are going on for 5 years. If white cell count is higher than 2000 in your joint fluid, it is likely that you have inflammatory arthritis. If less than 2000,
it is non-inflammatory. You may need repeat knee films and probably MRIs of your knees to see if you have any tears or degeneration of meniscus, tendons, or ligaments. You need thorough evaluation of what is causing your knee pain.
Hope this helps.
it is non-inflammatory. You may need repeat knee films and probably MRIs of your knees to see if you have any tears or degeneration of meniscus, tendons, or ligaments. You need thorough evaluation of what is causing your knee pain.
Hope this helps.
Probably patellar problem
Dr. Tamar Brionez
Houston, TX
Hello!
First off, I am so sorry you have had to deal with this problem. I agree with everything your rheumatologist has done so far. Trying a Rheumatoid drug like plaquenil makes sense. Outside of possibly removing fluid from the knees, if there is any to remove, and doing an analysis on this fluid and testing for Rheumatoid and other autoimmune markers, I’m not sure what else I would do. Your rheumatologist can also try you on a steroid trial to see if you have a positive response. This would indicate an inflammatory etiology to your knee pain.
Thanks so much!
Best regards,
Dr. Brionez
First off, I am so sorry you have had to deal with this problem. I agree with everything your rheumatologist has done so far. Trying a Rheumatoid drug like plaquenil makes sense. Outside of possibly removing fluid from the knees, if there is any to remove, and doing an analysis on this fluid and testing for Rheumatoid and other autoimmune markers, I’m not sure what else I would do. Your rheumatologist can also try you on a steroid trial to see if you have a positive response. This would indicate an inflammatory etiology to your knee pain.
Thanks so much!
Best regards,
Dr. Brionez
