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Suggest Treatment For Cracking Knees Post An Injury
Question: My left knee cracks whenever I stand up after 30 minutes or more of sitting or laying down. I don't feel any pain when it cracks. My left ankle also cracks quite often.... but my right leg joints rarely crack. Sometimes though, the cracking all stops for few days only to start cracking later. I do not feel any pain whatsoever.
I had ACL surgery back in 1996, and an athroscopic surgery to clean up scar tissue shortly after that in 1996. The knee healed completely although I could not bend the knee all the way to my butt.
I had no other problems with the knee until 6 weeks ago. I injured the leg during MMA training.... the activity includes kicking with the leg and knees and kneeling. I felt pain on the back upper calf, the bottom of the hamstring. The knee did swell up for a couple days, but i never felt any pain on the knee itself.
The trainers told me that it was a pulled hamstring and that I could continue light training. I rested for a week and then trained lightly and gradually increase the load. After two weeks more, most of pain in the hamstring and calf left. I trained another two weeks and gradually worked up to 100%. I experienced no pain while kicking and kneeing.
Then, I've rested for the past ten days... since that injury, my knee often cracks when I stand up after lengthy sessions of sitting or laying down. I do not feel any pain at all whatsoever.
So is there anything wrong with me? Do I just need a little more rest? And how can I continue training to help the cracking go away? I refuse to give up MMA training so that is 100% out of the question. Thanks.Yes, the cracking is all coming from the knee cap... the cracking is not in the knee itself- All from the knee cap. And there is zero pain.
I suspect that it is unrelated to the hamstring pull I suffered two months ago... That has fully healed and the cracking really only started a couple weeks ago after I was kicking and kneeing the bag... The bag was not built for kicking and was heavy on the bottom...
Its all from the knee cap, there is zero pain, and I think but I'm not sure that the cracking is unrelated to my prior hamstring pull.
I had ACL surgery back in 1996, and an athroscopic surgery to clean up scar tissue shortly after that in 1996. The knee healed completely although I could not bend the knee all the way to my butt.
I had no other problems with the knee until 6 weeks ago. I injured the leg during MMA training.... the activity includes kicking with the leg and knees and kneeling. I felt pain on the back upper calf, the bottom of the hamstring. The knee did swell up for a couple days, but i never felt any pain on the knee itself.
The trainers told me that it was a pulled hamstring and that I could continue light training. I rested for a week and then trained lightly and gradually increase the load. After two weeks more, most of pain in the hamstring and calf left. I trained another two weeks and gradually worked up to 100%. I experienced no pain while kicking and kneeing.
Then, I've rested for the past ten days... since that injury, my knee often cracks when I stand up after lengthy sessions of sitting or laying down. I do not feel any pain at all whatsoever.
So is there anything wrong with me? Do I just need a little more rest? And how can I continue training to help the cracking go away? I refuse to give up MMA training so that is 100% out of the question. Thanks.Yes, the cracking is all coming from the knee cap... the cracking is not in the knee itself- All from the knee cap. And there is zero pain.
I suspect that it is unrelated to the hamstring pull I suffered two months ago... That has fully healed and the cracking really only started a couple weeks ago after I was kicking and kneeing the bag... The bag was not built for kicking and was heavy on the bottom...
Its all from the knee cap, there is zero pain, and I think but I'm not sure that the cracking is unrelated to my prior hamstring pull.
Brief Answer:
Arthritic changes vs ligament/meniscal injuries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through your post with diligence and I understand you are concerned about this cracking that's been going on since the last injury.
This cracking might be either due to ligament / meniscal injuries sustained during the last injury. Or it might be due to arthritic changes that started after your previous knee injury / ACL surgery. I can definitely tell that this cracking is not normal; but I cannot figure the cause unless examined and without scans.
X-ray isn't sufficient to diagnose these kind of knee support injuries and early arthritic changes. And yes, we need either CT scan if not an MRI to diagnose it. I would suggest that you consult an orthopedic surgeon who understands and knows about these kind of injuries / arthritis. I am sure he/she will write for MRI scan to rule these out.
In the meanwhile, it would be ideal if you can rest it for couple of weeks more. If there is need to train / exercise, use a knee support / knee cap.
Hope this answered your question. Let me know if you need clarification.
Regards
Arthritic changes vs ligament/meniscal injuries...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through your post with diligence and I understand you are concerned about this cracking that's been going on since the last injury.
This cracking might be either due to ligament / meniscal injuries sustained during the last injury. Or it might be due to arthritic changes that started after your previous knee injury / ACL surgery. I can definitely tell that this cracking is not normal; but I cannot figure the cause unless examined and without scans.
X-ray isn't sufficient to diagnose these kind of knee support injuries and early arthritic changes. And yes, we need either CT scan if not an MRI to diagnose it. I would suggest that you consult an orthopedic surgeon who understands and knows about these kind of injuries / arthritis. I am sure he/she will write for MRI scan to rule these out.
In the meanwhile, it would be ideal if you can rest it for couple of weeks more. If there is need to train / exercise, use a knee support / knee cap.
Hope this answered your question. Let me know if you need clarification.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Thanks for your advice. Can you recommend a good knee brace for me? I want to be able to kick, run sprints and jump... I'm willing to spend $200 or so for it... Thanks Doctor
Brief Answer:
Start with a knee pad...
Detailed Answer:
Apologies for the late reply...
Well there are various knee supports available as knee pads and knee braces. I feel you may need a hinged knee brace. However I have limited resource without a clinical examination to suggest the most comfortable and effective one that should be used by you. It would be worthwhile to visit an orthopedic surgeon / sport disease expert who can recommend one after a clinical examination.
If you are unable to consult an orthopedic immediately, you can try knee pads at walmart stores. It's priced around 10 USD which isn't expensive. Knee pads would allow you to flex and extend the knee while restraining accidental twisting movement which may aggravate those ligament / mensical injuries.
In a nutshell, my recommendation is to see a doctor for confirmation and to obtain the best knee support personalised to this need.
Regards
Start with a knee pad...
Detailed Answer:
Apologies for the late reply...
Well there are various knee supports available as knee pads and knee braces. I feel you may need a hinged knee brace. However I have limited resource without a clinical examination to suggest the most comfortable and effective one that should be used by you. It would be worthwhile to visit an orthopedic surgeon / sport disease expert who can recommend one after a clinical examination.
If you are unable to consult an orthopedic immediately, you can try knee pads at walmart stores. It's priced around 10 USD which isn't expensive. Knee pads would allow you to flex and extend the knee while restraining accidental twisting movement which may aggravate those ligament / mensical injuries.
In a nutshell, my recommendation is to see a doctor for confirmation and to obtain the best knee support personalised to this need.
Regards
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
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