Having Severe Pain And Tightness On Knee. How Long Does It Take To Get Cured?

Posted on Wed, 15 May 2013

Question: i have a severe( 7 out of 10 )on pain scale chronic 3months left knee pain sudden onet back in FEB attributed it to arthritis cold damp northeastern weather wearing soft knee brace helpful w prn motrin topical analgesics somewhat helpful i had 2 sessions of accupuncture 2cnd session included electro stimulation most recently fri 4/19 felt relief initially but after walking back to train 10 blocks & one hour train ride pain was back 8-9 out of 10 it feels like a FIST behind left knee then sharp stabbing pain @ front &inside the knee when i bear wieght i did notify my PCP on recent routine vst she blew it off ..... what diagnostic test would be most informative?there is only tightness behind knee when im non wieght bearing not actual pain Thanks for any info XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (4 hours later)

Hello XXXXXX,

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

I am pleased to be able to assist you answer your health query,

Most knee joint pain are always associated to arthritis which could be septic or non-septic (i.e infectious and non-infectious causes respectively). They are more than 100 types of arthritis when subdivided into the above two groups. No matter which type of arthritis you need accurate diagnosis before effective treatment can be provided. Non-infectious arthritis is the most common form especially as you are ageing and/or having such conditions as diabetes.
They are several diagnostic test that could be done to determine the nature of your affection and ones detected, treatment could follow.
These includes:
- CBC: mostly to determine possible signs of infection, coagulation disorder etc
- Serum Electrolytes: Calcium level and others
- ASO: to determine if prior exposure to strep infection (could also determine an actual infection
- RF: if rheumatoid factor is elevated, then you are most probably suffering from rheumatoid arthritis
- Uric acid levels to determine if gouty arthritis
- X-ray: could show some characteristic signs of arthritis
- MRI:
- Consultation with a Rheumatologist could can perform a good clinical exams.

There is no cure for either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. Treatment options vary depending on the type of arthritis and include physical therapy, lifestyle changes (including exercise and weight control), orthopedic bracing, medications. inflammation in the joint which decreases pain. Moreover, by decreasing inflammation, the joint damage may be slowed.

Hope this information will be useful and wish you the best.
Please do accept my answer if you are satisfied.

Dr. Nsah

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar