Knee pain!!!! :(

kittiemeoww
kittiemeoww Posts: 40 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I wasn't sure where to post this.. But my right knee is killing me. I can hardly walk up and down stairs, and it hurts all the time. I use my elliptical every day.. The machine has been making weird knocking noises going the correct way of motion, so I've been using it the opposite way. I had knee pain about a month ago, but was doing 100 squats a day. I've quit that totally to let my knee heel... But now it's worse than ever! Plus I have a squishy lump on the top of my knee cap. I am probably going to the doctor (not a fan..), since it's so painful. I know I could Google it, but thought I'd post here if anyone has any ideas. Plus I'm concerned about how I'll get workouts in. I'm thinking I should avoid the elliptical now until it's better..? Any ideas on what exercises I can do at home? And any ideas what this could be, and when it'll go away? Thank you!

Replies

  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    Aww. I'm sorry. I would definetly see a dr.
    If it hurts, I would not use the elliptical.
    Do what doesn't hurt... If everything makes your knee hurt then I would not aggravate it more.
    Can you lift weights with your arms?
  • upoffthemat
    upoffthemat Posts: 679 Member
    Could actually be water on your knee with the squishy lump. Had a friend in high school that had to have his knee drained relatively often. It was a simple thing to do and he was back to fine form in a day or two. Definitely go to the doctor before you do anything more permanent.
  • pzarnosky
    pzarnosky Posts: 256 Member
    Sounds a lot like knee bursitis (tennis elbow, but in the knee). Rest it, ice it, and you can you compression too. Some people need to have it drained, but that's not the usual treatment. When you say on the top, do you mean above the knee cap (on the leg bone portion of your knee) or do you mean like sitting on top of your knee cap?
  • kittiemeoww
    kittiemeoww Posts: 40 Member
    Thanks everyone.. I can do arm weights.. Not sure about anything else. :( Pzarnosky, it's like on my knee cap on the top part of it. I've also noticed a lump- almost looks like bone but don't think it is- on the knee cap on the center, maybe a bit lower.. This sucks!!!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    don't google, don't ask strangers on the internet... see a doctor.
  • pzarnosky
    pzarnosky Posts: 256 Member
    Ultimately for a definitive diagnosis you need to go to a doctor. However, I don't rush there. A lot of times injuries are due to going from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one. If you don't want to spend the money on a doctor, try resting it for a week or so and then ease back in. Maybe the elliptical isn't good for you, or it very well could be the fact that you're using it in reverse so much. Everyone's body mechanics are different. You might want to think about having the elliptical looked at. Walking is also a great low impact exercise. You can get a decent cardio work out by speed walking and incorporating hills into it. But really, make sure you rest it until it feels better. I pushed through shin splints last year until it got to the point that I probably should have been on crutches since I limped when I walked and couldn't even bend my leg to go down stairs. I had to stop running for over 2 months and it ruined the race I was training for. Rest now and take the time to focus on other parts of health, like meeting nutrition goals. And of course, see your doctor if it doesn't improve or the pain is truly severe.
  • mommazach
    mommazach Posts: 384 Member
    Fix your elliptical and go the correct direction. You are putting stress on the top of your knee by pushing down with the muscles. I've had multiple knee surgeries in the past and I take glucosamine and chondroitin daily. Took about a week to kick in. I also use a copper knee sleeve for daily use. You can also use compression bands. Take a few days off by doing other exercises instead of anything that will stress your knee, or go to a swimming pool. If pain is persistent, go see a Chiropractor before a surgeon. Doctors like to cut into you to make fixes. I can generally get my leg back in order with a couple sessions with the Chiro. (He generally works from the hip to the foot) You can also take a small bottle of B6. Take one pill daily until it's gone. It can help with inflammation.
  • kittiemeoww
    kittiemeoww Posts: 40 Member
    Tavistock Toad- lol, I am going to the doctor. And I asked strangers their opinion. Nothing wrong with that! I'll get my elliptical looked at. I didn't think going the other way would matter, but faulty equipment is unacceptable! Swimming may be a good idea! Though I have twin babies I stay home with, so that'd b hard. I'll see what I can do. Pzarnosky, thanks for the suggestions. I don't want it to get worse, that's for sure.
  • Aed0416
    Aed0416 Posts: 101 Member
    Find a doctor you don't mind seeing.
    RICE until you can get in to see them. If you can hardly use stairs I would not be walking for the purpose of exercise.
    It would be a great time to fix your machine while resting.
  • fiddletime
    fiddletime Posts: 1,868 Member
    When I get pain (not soreness) I rest the affected part. Maybe ice or heat alternating. I'd google it as after self diagnosing via Google I usually can't get to the doctor fast enough! But, lots of good info there, and pictures. Good luck.
  • HamsterManV2
    HamsterManV2 Posts: 449 Member
    100 squats a day? How deep were you going? Assuming you were doing half squats (i.e. the crease of your hip was above the top of your kneecap), that puts pressure on your quad and minimal on your hamstring, leading to a muscular imbalance and the quads 'pulling' the knee, hence the knee pain.

    Stretch your quads, and strengthen your hamstrings.

    But I'm just some dude on the internet. Go to a physiotherapist (non-sport doctors will just say lay off it, ice it, and wait for the pain to go away instead of actively rehabbing it).
  • kittiemeoww
    kittiemeoww Posts: 40 Member
    HamsterManV2- not sure what half squats are exactly. Just standard "prisoner" squats. So not all the way down.. I did 20, rest for 10-20 seconds, Etc. I was about to add weights, and start up lunges when the knee pain began. I'll definitely start stretching, that makes sense. My doctors apt is tomorrow morning, and I'll inquire about a physiotherapist. Thanks for the help, guy in the Internet! Aed0416- Yeah, I agree.. Might as well get it fixed now before I can use it again. I don't know who to call about that. Hopefully it's not too hard to repair.. Even just sitting here on the couch is killing me..:( Fiddletime- I am using ice occasionally, but the very weight of it hurts sooooo bad! No heat though, I don't think I'd like that. Though I'll ask the doctor. Does anyone have ideas of exercises I can do without having to use my knee? Specifically? I'm kind of a newbie and would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
  • pomegranatecloud
    pomegranatecloud Posts: 812 Member
    Make an appointment with an orthopedist.

Categories