HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Severe continuous pain in knees--new to CP--advice?

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/29/2013 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
OK, I usually post in the Prostate Cancer(PC) Forum but I am getting very frustrated with a pain situation that is not related to my PC.

about 7 or so years ago, I had surgery on my right knee (two tears in the meniscus and smoothing out of arthritis). Anyway, it really improved matters and gave me my life back, basically, after a few years of pain.

Fast forward to March 9. I had a normal gym workout, which included about 6-8 laps on the treadmill. Soon after, my knees started hurting and the pain has gotten more severe since then. It hurts regardless of what I'm doing, whether lying down or sitting and of course walking is not easy. My family doctor 2 weeks ago said it was tendinitis, but I am not so sure, since it hurts all the time.

I am going to see a P/T this afternoon.

Any ideas what this could be? Does tendinitis act this way? We have not done any x-rays or other tests. I do have an appointment with an orthopedic guy in 2 weeks. I know this is not PC related since the pain is 100% bi-lateral and totally symmetric (same pain at any instant in both knees) and also occurred clearly as a result of the treadmill activity. Also, December bone scan (before this issue) was clear.

Mel

Post Edited (compiler) : 3/29/2013 7:49:09 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/29/2013 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to meet you Mel. Sorry it had to be under these circumstances.

First, I am not a doctor, but I did work for a physical therapist for a while, and got to watch a knee replacement surgery. Also trained as an EMT, but that was many moons ago. That being said...

It is possible, but unlikely, that you may have tweaked both knees at the same time. Tendinitis is kind of hard to get a dx on, it does not show up on films or labs. It's testing range of motion while holding the joint until they get to something that hurts. Then they diagnose based on that.

The symmetry thing is curious, as the only thing your knees have in common is that they are attached to you. That and they are connected to the spine. I would suspect that there may be a pinched nerve (wild guess here) somewhere in the spinal column. At least as a starting point.

This could also be the start of something systemic, meaning it affects the whole body, but you feel it most in the knees right now. I'd call the ortho and see if you can get the appointment moved up because of this new thing. Your PT may have some ideas as well.

Good luck
Posted 3/29/2013 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Go and get some x~ rays or an mri of your knee, try putting ice on it to see if that can help. Try to get the x rays and or mri done before your appointment with the orthopedic doctor so you have the results to give him/ her.
Keep us posted on how this appointment goes, hope your doing better soon.
Many well wishes.
Posted 3/29/2013 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel and welcome to the chronic pain forum. Sorry to hear that you are having knee problems. I have had numerous knee surgeries & do understand where you are coming from. My thinking is most likely its bad flare up of arthritis. Did your dr offer anything like Mobic to take, its an NSAID. When are you suppose to see the dr again? I am not a dr but just guessing.

If things do not improve in a few weeks, then I would ask to referred to a knee specialist & get it checked out. Keep us posted and take care...Susie
Posted 3/29/2013 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Mel :)

Sorry to see you over here, suffering w/ pain issues....

I'm w/ Susie.... it sounds like a bad flare-up of the arthritis. My mom has this in her knees - where it's gotten better, she does "something" - and has a massive flare-up....

That being said - these are all just educated guesses... Hopefully the ortho will be able to get it figured out.

Until then, I would definitely be using an anti-inflammatory (like Advil, etc) or call in for something stronger. Try some ice, as Chart suggested.

Take care, Mel. --Tina
Posted 3/29/2013 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Tina:

Well, one would think it is arthritis, but then I would expect the pain to go away when resting

Mel
Posted 3/29/2013 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Inflammation doesn't always just go away with rest, and trying the anti inflammatory like the others suggested is a great idea and ice packs as well. Once the inflammation has taken hold it can take awhile to get it settled down, you can also try to elevate your knee in bed at night...
Many well wishes
Posted 3/29/2013 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
ok. Thank you so much for the response. What is disturbing is this pain seems to be continuing at a steady 24/7. I've had knee problems before but the pain always subsided at rest.

Mel

Posted 3/29/2013 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I will vouch personally for Mel. He's one of my fellow prostate cancer guys from the HW Prostate Cancer group. Have known him a long time.

Glad he decided to come and join us here at CP. Know you folks will be a big help to him as you are to me.

david in sc
Posted 3/29/2013 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Also, get the x rays and mri scans done just to make sure it's not more serious, talk to your pcp until your ortho visit. You might want to get bloodwork done to rule out RA. RA can be harder to get treated and a very painful inflammatory condition and it attacks .more than the joints, So go and visit your pcp and get this checked out, I say to get these done as its always better to error on the side of caution. I hope its not RA, plus it'll take 2 weeks for the bloodwork to get back. We are trying to help. Keep us posted and get into your primary doctor ( pcp).
Posted 3/29/2013 7:47 PM (GMT 0)

Update: Saw the P/T. She says it could well be tendinitis. Or, I'm sure, it could be a return of arthritis found previously. But prior knee pain did not have this burning, inflamed feeling (in BOTH knees) when not standing/walking. Does this still sound like tendinitis or arthritis?

She is having me start with one simple muscle exercise and she put one of this electrically stimlated pain patches on each knee for awhile. I guess I'll also start taking ibuprofin (I am adverse to taking pain meds. but I guess I have no choice)

Chatre:

Well, I saw my primary doctor 10 days ago and he said it was tendinitis and just gave me the script for P/T. I set up an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon who did my previous knee surgery and I know he will take x-rays. That will be in about 11 days. These doctors seem reluctant to order MRI's, but I do think that's what I need. Maybe the ortho guy will. I'll see how things progress.

Mel

Posted 3/29/2013 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, just my 2 cents worth re: pain med. If your knees are inflammed, and if your stomach can tolerate it, Aleve is a better way to go (or even Advil). I suffer from muscle spasms in my back (not fun at all) and was told that the best medication is Aleve with Advil as back-up. Aleve has naprosin in it which can really wreck havoc with the stomach (can cause stomach bleeding), but it's the only thing that really controls the muscle inflammation for me. Even when I had two back-to-back root canals a few years back, the endodontist recommended Aleve. Just a suggestion, my friend.
Posted 3/29/2013 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, I have arthur in both knees. I cannot tell you the grief it has caused me and the pain has been second to none all because of arthritis. When you back to the PCP ask for something like Mobic to try and then if it helps you will know the culprit for sure. Just a thought......Susie
Posted 3/29/2013 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel,

Welcome to the CP board...but we are sorry that you have to be over here:(

I have actually been off the boards for a bit as my mom recently fell due to her knee issues. They have pretty much decided it is bad arthritis as well as she has greater issues unfortunately being an unhealthy weight right now and not much exercise.

They prescribed her Voltaren gel which is an NSAID that goes topically on her knees. She says that it is definitely helping her pain levels and inflammation.

So, something about which to ask your Dr. along with the other member's suggestions.
Posted 3/29/2013 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Bengay makes a cooling gel its new on the market, its a topical and something you can get at walgreen's until your appointment date, it might help with the burning pain, along with a cold pack, for now, keep us posted what your ortho says.
Posted 3/30/2013 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I might have something like Capsaisin in the closet. Anyone try that?

Mel

Posted 3/30/2013 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
I've tried all of the rubs, ointments, and liniments out there. They didn't work for me, or they irritated my skin, but other people have great luck with them.

If you have capsaisin, give it a shot. Just remember, the active ingredient in there is the same stuff that makes chili peppers hot. Much higher concentrations of the same stuff is pepper spray. Either use gloves or wash your hands really well after applying, because you don't want it on your hands if you touch your eyes, or any other *ahem* sensitive area... or anyone else's. There's a story behind that, but I think you can figure out how that went.
Posted 3/30/2013 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm.... but if capsaisin burns, why would I put it on my inflamed knees?

Mel

Posted 3/30/2013 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
it might replace the knee pain with another pain, lol. not sure that would be a good trade off.

david
Posted 3/30/2013 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, Mel - I'd probably pass on the capsaisin... and possible related complications, lol.

My doctor's orders would be: whatever the max amount of Aleve or Advil is.... (good anti-inflammatory).... ice and rest. :)

Seriously - I hope you feel better... --Tina

Edit: Looks like the max of Advil (or whatever type of Ibuprofen) is 3200mg... usually divided over four 800mg doses.
Posted 3/30/2013 10:19 AM (GMT 0)
As a long-term knee person I tend to agree it sounds like it could be tendonitis but could be bursitis or arthritis,either or any can cause what's going on.

Anti-inflammatory is the way to go,rest your knees,heat,and rubs like voltren will work better. Stay away from the menthol infused creams,Ben-gay,icy-hot,etc.

If you have access to a heated pool,hot tub,even nice hot baths at intervals throughout the day would be helpful.

Also I would get some of the heated patches,the ones that last 8 hrs and they specifically design knee ones and see if wearing them,I would start with one knee and don't do the other, see if it makes a difference.


Good luck
Vickie
Posted 3/30/2013 3:58 PM (GMT 0)

compiler said...
Hmmm.... but if capsaisin burns, why would I put it on my inflamed knees?
Mel

It doesn't really burn normal unbroken skin, for most people, but it kind of tingles. Mucous membranes are much more sensitive. It's the same basic concept as a TENS unit. Same thing with the menthol that's in most other creams and such. If you overload a nerve with too much "information" or too much data to transmit, it will shut down temporarily. that means it wont transfer pain either.

In practice, it's probably more about massaging the salve into the area. Really it's more the massage. I've found that regular old hand lotion works the same, if you use it to massage what hurts. The menthol or capsicum added to whatever you use can help keep the resulting relief last a little longer, by overworking and trying to confuse the nerve endings in the skin.

Whatever you are rubbing on it does not penetrate into the joint. It stays at skin level. Whatever you would pick up into your bloodstream is minute.
Posted 4/2/2013 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
So, how are you doing have your tried the anti inflammatories and did they help?
How soon til your appointment? still thinking about you, and hope you found something that is helping.
Keep us posted...
Posted 4/2/2013 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your inquiry.

Things are just terrible. Constant pain and swelling. I have my second session of P/T in a few hours.

I need to get more aggressive with painkillers (I seem to have an aversion to even taking ibuprofin, and I need to take more than I've been taking) and I probably should start icing them. I have an orthop. appointment on the 18th. I might try and move it up.

Mel

Posted 4/2/2013 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
You might try back with your pcp and maybe get an x ray done, or a stronger anti inflammatory medication until the ortho visit.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12