Knee Pain, Help!

[CtinaDitty]

Hey everyone.. I am 17 years old and I play soccer and softball year round. I was taken out in a soccer match last November (2005), and my knee has hurt since then.. It's on the outside right around the meniscus/ligament area. I'll get shooting pains in it and it can hurt to walk on it... WHen I play if I fall or get taken out, it hurts worse. Then on the drive home, it KILLS I get horrible pains right in that area, it just makes it soo difficult to drive... I got an MRI in March and they said there was nothing on it... Though the guy who did my MRI said there was extra fluid in there. But the doctor said that is wasn't anything not normal.. We were suspecting a meniscus/cartilage tear since it's in that area... Any suggestions?

Does anyone have any idea what this could be?

[brokenpogostick]

I've had reconstructive knee surgery twice in the last 2 years, so I know what you're talking about when it comes to the pain. The first doctor I saw tried to tell me it was nothing both times, but then I went & got a second opinion and both times it turned out that I tore both miniscal tissue and my ACL. If I was you, I'd go to someone else.

[CtinaDitty]

I was thinking of getting a second opinion... I don't know, I jsut never liked this doctor... He didn't seem very good, but my parents kept taking me there, despite my warnings...

[CarnelianButterfly]

I had a knee injury from riding horses, I've had a fair amount of secondary problems, too. The first injury wasn't that bad, but it was enough to disturb the position of my knee cap. My doctor did a work up on it and said I would have to wait to do anything corrective since it wasn't bad, but I had similar problems when its "warm" or in use I'm fine, but when I stop and the muscles relax the pain is unbearable. I took a lot of anti-inflammatory and those helped a great deal. I started stretching more and that has helped the most, a sort of yoga like routine focusing on my legs. Now I don't have pain unless its very cold out.

[CtinaDitty]

I got taken out though... ANd I've taken like IBprophen and it doesn't help. I've had a cortizone shot.. Worked for a little while but then BAM came back when I got taken out again...

[CarnelianButterfly]

Are you still participating in sports regularly?

[CtinaDitty]

Yeah, I'm an All-State Varsity soccer player on the Defending Missouri State Champions (HS). We're just starting our run to state Monday. SO I could have 6 more games left if we go all the way again, which we have an awesome chance to. But I had time to rest, and it didn't help it...

[CarnelianButterfly]

It might be the constant wear and tear from soccer is whats causing the problems. You might think about going to a sports doctor or a physical therapist that deals with sports related injuries. You need to get this taken care of, being in pain is not right. My doc yelled at me because I waited 2 weeks before seeing him about the problem, if its longer than 3 days its a issue that needs to be dealt with NOW.

[CtinaDitty]

The thing is I've already had it looked at, like 2 or so months ago... He gave me a cortizone shot, and yeah.. He said it wasn't anything... Should I get a second opinion?

[CarnelianButterfly]

If you don't agree with the diagnosis then, yes, you have the right to seek a second opinion. Cortozone isn't supposed to fix the problem, its a temporary relief for the inflammation, I had one shot last about 6 months, but had another only last 1 month. I would see your doctor again and tell them that the pain has returned. If your doctor is a general practitioner then they may need to send you to a specialist, who is more familiar with joints or sport related injuries.