Suggest Treatment For Severe Knee Pain

Posted on Fri, 27 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 Answered on

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having knee pain on left side of knee. Had a total knee replacement 7 years ago. Hurts mostly from sitting to standing. Pain for one day. Used total gym at physical therapy for back. It didn't hurt after using it, pain came on gradual,. Went to dentist yesterday but took preventative antibiotics

I just don't know what it could be. I have hinged knee replacements

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
seems to be extra-articular pain

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.

I have noted your medical history carefully.

Although you had a knee replacement 7 years ago,i do not feel that the present pain is related to this.

The fact that the pain is mostly from sitting to standing,indicates that the pain is due to inflammation of either the lateral knee ligaments or biceps femoris tendon attachment to the bone.Biceps femoris is a tiny muscle on the outside of the knee and inflammation of its bony attachement can cause such type of pain.

Any strain to the knee unknowingly can cause this.

You can take anti-inflammatory tablets like tramadol,paracetamol or ibuprofen for 3 days.

Avoid squatting / sitting cross legged or climbing stairs.

Wear a knee brace to speed up the recovery process.

Application of local analgesic gel with hot fomentation twice a day will be of help.

If the pain does not subside within the next 3 days,you can get a Xray of the knee done and consult a orthopedist.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (6 hours later)

Thank you for your answer. This morning the pain is worse, even when I just bend thr knee and also, I fonyknow if this is related, thr pain seems to go up the back of my leg and to my buttock.

Thank you for putting my mind to rest in regards to the knee feplacement

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:
neuroradiculopathy

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

If the pain is radiating to the back of the leg and buttocks,then it goes more in favour of a neuroradiculopathy.

This may be due to a slipped disc causing compression of the nerve in the back or due to inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica).

Ligament strain or bicipital tendinitis is less likely.

In addition to the tablets that i had mentioned earlier,you need to take methycobalamin,pregabalin tablets.

Avoid bending forward or lifting anything heavy.

If the pain does not get relieved,do let me know.

We can then decide further line of management.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (32 minutes later)

Thank you so much for your help. I certainly will let you know if it gets worse......so far it doesn't warrant an ER visit?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lets wait and watch

Detailed Answer:
Actually,this depends on your pain tolerance.
If the pain is unbearable,then you can have a ER visit.

Personally, i don't think you need a ER visit right now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (13 hours later)

Ok, thank you. I am going to take it easy for a couple of days.

I appreciate your help. I will give you a super rating.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thank you

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the feedback.

Do let me know the progress of the pain after a couple of days.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana