“Knee injury?”
I injured my left knee approximately 3 weeks ago, swelling w LROM, unstable. Now I still cannot bend it but there is no pain or tenderness without swelling and the muscles around the knee feels very tight. NKA, NKDA, Ibuprofen once daily 400mg.
Male | 22 years old
Complaint duration: 3 weeks
8 Answers
When you say unstable, what exactly do you mean? Any prior knee injuries? The actual mechanism of injury for this recent knee pain? Do not go to a primary doctor unless he has some sports medicine training; go to a good orthopedic surgeon and if he talks down to you or doesn’t explain things to you in simple words, and especially if he does not examine your knee, then get up and leave immediately.
It is not uncommon to not have pain when you tear your ACL, but have swelling, loss of motion, tightness, and instability. Best to see a knee or sports medicine orthopedic specialist for proper history and physical, followed by imaging and other tests if needed. Try to get the swelling down in the meantime using elevation and proper ice/cold therapy techniques. Reducing the swelling will alleviate some of the symptoms, but not the instability. Try to avoid situations in which your knee may give way until properly evaluated as this can cause more damage.
Could be many things…. First, must rule out ACL injury. Also MCL. A good physical examination, possibly an MRI will help
See Orthopaedist
May have ACL tear.See an orthopedic surgeon May need an MRI.
Hello,
It is not common in someone your age to have a stiff, swollen knee for three weeks. Unfortunately, you did not mention how the injury occurred. You are doing the correct thing to rest, ice, and take anti inflammatory medications. If you have no tenderness, clicking sensation, or catching, less likely a problem. If you continue to have the swelling, you may need the knee drained or further tests done. Give yourself another week or two and if no improvement, see an orthopedic surgeon.
Good luck.
It is not common in someone your age to have a stiff, swollen knee for three weeks. Unfortunately, you did not mention how the injury occurred. You are doing the correct thing to rest, ice, and take anti inflammatory medications. If you have no tenderness, clicking sensation, or catching, less likely a problem. If you continue to have the swelling, you may need the knee drained or further tests done. Give yourself another week or two and if no improvement, see an orthopedic surgeon.
Good luck.
With long-lasting swelling and decreased ROM, you should be seen by a physician. Getting an X-ray will help determine if there is a fracture. A physical exam can evaluate the ligaments and ensure they are not torn. If deemed necessary on the physical exam, the doctor may want to order an MRI to look at the other soft tissues.
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD
If there is indeed fluid in the knee/swelling along with signs of instability - the knee feels loose – then I would see an orthopedic surgeon to do an exam and assess for possible ligament injury. An MRI of the knee might be required for further diagnosis.
