What Causes Tenderness Below Knee After An Injury?

Posted on Wed, 5 Nov 2014

Question: About four weeks ago, I tripped and fell on my knee. There was some slight swelling. I put some ice on it and I was able to walk on it. For a few weeks afterwards, my knee felt as if there was some jello inside of it. There was also some tingling in the knee. I am able to walk on my knee without any pain but as soon as I put any pressure on it, the pain is immediate and lasts for a while. Below my knee cap is still very tender to touch. Should I just give it some more time to heal or do I need to see a doctor?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need to see doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Knee is a complex joint formed of many small structures.You have already given 4 weeks for healing, so dont wait more.I think you need to see doctor and also get MRI of knee done.

Jello thing you mentioned is fluid/effusion in the joint.Tingling thing makes me worry about ligament or meniscal injury.

Dont bear too much weight on joint, avoid excess physical activity and wear knee brace.

Please ask if there are doubts.Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (5 hours later)

I assume an x ray of the knee would not show any damage? What is the possible diagnosis based on the symptoms mentioned but more importantly what is the treatment?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Xray might turn out normal.

Detailed Answer:
Based on symptoms, joint effusion and meniscal injury seems likely.Without knowing joint structures injured and grade of injury , treatment prediction seems impossible.It can be predicted after MRI.

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