r/KneeInjuries

Hi, I am due to have multiple knee surgeries soon. I am now scared and I have thought ‘what if I am exaggerating my symptoms and pain and injuries’ ‘what if I really don’t need surgery and I get worse’.

The proposed surgeries are a trochleoplasty, mfpl, tto or ttt and a maci or oats.

I do have dysplasia and I do have maltracking and I do have fissuring but it makes me scared still that what if I’ve exaggerated the ‘subluxations’ I’ve experienced. What if they weren’t that at all.

Has anyone else felt the same?

It's 2 years today since my traumatic 9th patella dislocation, and even though I'm 6 months post-op from MPFL Reconstruction, I'm having huge difficulty trusting my knee again.

Let me know if you have any tips for things that worked for you! Has anyone tried counselling and/or CBT and did it work?

I feel like I need to rewire my brain after 20+ years of dislocations, especially when the dislocations happened so easily from everyday activities (bending and twisting to pick things up or put washing in the machine), and my last dislocation stayed out for an excruciating 3hrs 😱

Any stories, tips and/or advice appreciated. The PTSD, anxiety and lack of confidence is haunting. I'd love to return to normal life without constantly having to think or worry about my knee letting me down.

I ruptured my ACL and partial lateral meniscus tear. Surgery is Wednesday July 8th. The accident was June 11th. Ive been doing PT and have near straight extension. My PT thinks its fine to have the surgery. I just see many people say they wait 3 months or more to have it.

I have bilateral chondromalacia patella Grade 2 (both knees), and I also had scoliosis surgery with spinal fusion 15 years ago.
I’m wondering if anyone here has dealt with the same combination. Did your knee pain improve over time? What helped the most—physical therapy, strengthening exercises, injections, or just giving it time?
I’d really like to hear success stories because it’s been mentally exhausting.

Hi all,

I’ve been dealing with a knee issue that I can’t quite make sense of.

Pain is mainly on the inside and back of my knee. The inside feels like a dull pulling/aching, and the back can get sharper. Downhill running makes it way worse (can go up to like 8/10), but flat running is usually pretty tolerable (~2/10).

In the mornings it sometimes feels kind of “stuck” or pseudo-locked, but I can still move it. After a bit of movement or a crack sensation it usually feels better.

Recently I’ve also had some upper calf/inner lower leg tightness on the same side, and I’ve had posterior tibial tendon issues in that leg in the past (which had settled before this started).

I had an MRI and it came back with:

small Baker’s cyst
IT band syndrome
no obvious meniscus tear mentioned

What confuses me is that IT band issues are usually on the outside of the knee, but my pain is clearly medial/posterior. And I’ve read small Baker’s cysts can be incidental.

I was wondering how reliable MRI is for a medial meniscus tear. Is it actually possible to miss small or subtle ones even if the report says nothing?

I’m going to get a second opinion next week, but the pain today is quite unbearable. Almost feeling it in my toes of that leg.

Appreciate any input!

First things first - I tried posting this in a separate forum but for some reason they flaggednit as medical advice - not sure why it was deemed as such, as its what I do for a living, so therefore I am not allowed to speak on forums?😅 I assume with the same logic, a mechanic can’t speak about car engines either? Anyways, I’ve assessed hundreds of lifters over the years, and knee pain from squatting follows a
remarkably predictable pattern. It’s almost never the knee itself that’s the problem.
Here’s what I consistently find:
The actual causes, from most common:
Restricted ankle dorsiflexion. When the ankle can’t dorsiflex adequately, the knee
compensates by collapsing inward. The fix isn’t knee work — it’s ankle mobility and calf soft
tissue release. I’ve had some ankle-issues myself as a soccer/football player (injuries, stepped on, rolling my ankle, etc) - and everytime my ankle is affected, there’s pain in my knee or hip in some way or form.

Weak glute medius. The glute medius controls hip abduction and internal rotation. When
it’s underactive, the femur internally rotates under load, driving the knee into valgus. Lateral
band walks and single-leg work fix this faster than most people expect. I love these as a part of my warm up routine - it makes it way easier to engage my hips/glutes on more technical lifts (clean/jerk, other explosive movements I do for football)

Anterior pelvic tilt under load. When the pelvis tilts forward at the bottom of the squat, it
changes the tracking of the patella. This is a hip flexor and core stability issue, not a knee
issue. I have had good success with clients when combining soft tissue work, loaded stretches and proper warmup is the key here - especially if my clients have work that makes them sit for longer hours (office jobs, truck drivers, excavator drivers are some of the clients I’ve worked with who have these issues etc)

VMO inhibition. The VMO (the teardrop-shaped quad muscle) is the primary stabiliser of
the patella. It’s often inhibited in lifters with knee pain, creating a feedback loop where pain
causes inhibition causes more pain. I also see issues here with people who’ve had ACL-repairs if they are scared of using their knee, issues with loading etc.

The protocol I use:
Before every lower body session: 5 minutes of calf and hip flexor soft tissue work, 10 ankle
circles per side, 15 lateral band walks, 15 terminal knee extensions, (use a band or set an extension machine to end of range of motion) per side. Then load.
Most clients see a meaningful improvement within 2–3 weeks of consistent application, however like I always say: If you don’t use it, there’s no point in having a program.
Happy to answer questions — this is what I do for a living (From Norway BTW 😊)

Hi everyone,

I'm 29 years old and I've been playing competitive soccer and tournaments for 6 years. A few months ago, I suddenly started experiencing pain in my right knee. At first, it was mild, but now it hurts even when I climb stairs.

I went to an orthopedist, who ordered an MRI, and I was diagnosed with grade 4 chondromalacia patellae. He said the only option is surgery: an autologous cartilage graft. They take healthy cartilage from another part of my body and implant it in my knee.

I've never been injured like this before, and I'm scared about the surgery. That's why I'm asking:

If you've had OATS, mosaicplasty, or MACI procedures, any experience would be helpful. I'm deciding between surgery or getting a second opinion, and it would really help to read real-life cases.

Were you able to return to competitive sports after the surgery?

Did the pain go away, or are you still experiencing discomfort?

Did the area where the cartilage was taken cause any problems?

Any experience would be helpful. I'm torn between surgery and seeking a second opinion, and reading real-life case studies would be incredibly helpful.

About 7 weeks ago I tripped while running and landed directly on my left kneecap.

The first few days it was swollen and hurt to bend, but I could still walk and straighten my leg. Since then it's gotten a lot better. I can walk normally, run, play sports, and even lift weights without much pain.

The thing that's bothering me is that my left knee still doesn't feel like it did before the injury. It still feels weaker than my right, especially after standing for a long time or after a leg workout, even if I'm only using light weights. It's hard to explain, but it just has this weird feeling, like something still isn't fully healed. It doesn't really hurt, it just doesn't feel "normal."

I saw a sports medicine doctor today. He examined my knee and said he doesn't think it's anything serious, but he still wants me to get an X-ray and MRI just to make sure nothing was missed.

Has anyone gone through something similar? If so:

• How long did it take before your knee finally felt 100% normal again?
• Did you still have weakness or that "something feels off" feeling even though you could already run and play sports?
• If you got an MRI, did it end up showing anything?

I'm probably overthinking it, but it's frustrating because I feel like I'm 75-80% recovered, yet that last little bit just doesn't seem to go away.

Thanks!

​Hi everyone,

​I am a regular walker, but about three weeks ago, I overdid it and walked much more than my usual distance in a single day.

I have been experiencing this burning pain behind the knee, at the root of the medial tendon.

​Since then, I’ve been quite proactive: I’ve seen an orthopedic surgeon, a physical therapist, and had an MRI done. The physical/manual exam by the doctor was generally okay (he focused on structural damage). The MRI did not show any inflammation, fluid, or acute structural damage, only some chondropathy.

​The doctor prescribed Meloxicam, and I am currently on day 12 of taking it. Neither the doctor nor the PT has given me a clear explanation for the persistent pain I’m feeling at the base of the medial hamstring in the back of the knee.

​I’ve been trying to rest within the house while avoiding long walks, but after walking more than usual I still have this strange, sometimes burning sensation in that specific spot. Even while resting - and despite taking 15mg of Meloxicam - the burning pain remains. There is no specific point of tenderness (no pinpoint pain) on the knee itself.

​I am stuck on how to proceed: Should I avoid everything that triggers this burning sensation (as some suggest), or should I try to use the leg/stay to some extent?

​I would really appreciate any insights or similar experiences. Thanks in advance for your help!

​40M

I feel two weeks ago and have been diagnosed with a patellar tendon tear / rupture of the quadriceps and am scheduled for surgery.

Until last night I could not move lift my leg. Early this morn getting up to pee and I can now lift my leg. I could easily do 20 leg lifts.

Anybody have this experience or insight into why this might be.

Thanks in advance.

On Saturday evening, I started having this sharp pain in my knee. It went away soon after but Sunday morning I woke up and couldn't walk. It progressively got worse to the point where I couldnt straighten my leg at all. I got sent to the hospital on Monday and explained that my knee had tight and sharp tension, and the back of my lower leg had an entire bruise running down it. However, the bruise was barely visable. I couldn't bend my leg or straighten it all the way, and light touches on the back of my leg were extremely painful. After four hours of being in the hospital they sent me home with nothing, just a simple "I don't know." They told me if anything had gotten worse I would come back. Two hours later after being at home my leg swelled up and turned completely purple from the knee down. I returned to the hospital and they gave me and X-ray, Ultrasound, two bloodwork, and many mobility tests. After a while they ruled out the following diagnosis: Blood clot, Muscle tear, Growing pains, Cyst, Infection, Muscle strain, Sprain, Broken bone, pinched nerve, and simple bruising. I had not fallen or hit my leg on anything, I had just been simply walking. Doctors sent me home again and I have yet to hear from anyone and it is friday. The pain has lessened if I lay down but it is the same if I try to do normal daily tasks. Does anyone else know what this mysterious pain is? Thanks♡

Sorry I’ve bombarded this thread.

But was wondering if anyone’s had an experience where PT has made their injury worse?

I was near pain free before I started (with ACL, MCL grade one sprain) but decided to do PT to make sure I was rehabbing safely.

Since starting PT I began experiencing pain again and (I assumed because I started to be more active - just walking and PT no sport), but now 3 months from initial injury and 1.5 months from starting PT I’ve got a grade 2 POL sprain and a new(?) grade 1 MCL sprain.

I feel 10x worse than I did before starting PT.

Recent dislocation (my fourth) and I currently have an immobiliser brace issued from hospital. I will want a brace/support for the next few months, but anything like a sleeve will fall down. Any suggestions please? I need stability and flexibility most importantly!

I have a brand new budget rower and I love it. Thing is though, a few minutes in, I feel a dull soreness in one of my knees.

Does this go away if you exercise regularly? Or does it mean that a rower or an exercise bike might not be the most optimal equipment for me?

I’m bummed coz I enjoy it and it’s brand new.

I (16yo female) have had pretty bad knee pain for the last 2 years. Had multiple false diagnoses of osgood schlatters and despite it being disproved by x-rays, I was treated as if I had it. I continued to play football and futsal throughout the 2 years, as per the recommendation for osgood schlatters. I had to control my pain by playing limited minutes, using pain medication and icing after. When there was no improvement I had a MRI which showed a large tear and I was told I would need surgery. I have researched partial meniscectomys and I am unsure whether I should do the surgery or not. The injury does cause me pain daily when walking up hills, stairs and playing sport as well as instability and sometimes giving out underneath me. I would like to continue to be active in the future but I am scared of getting osteoarthritis young. Anyone have a similar experience?

Going to see a doctor next week so I will see what she says. But has anyone ever "healed" a small meniscus tear by just resting it for a few weeks? By "heal" I mean return to walking and lightly bending the knee for daily easy tasks like house cleaning, sitting in chair, etc. I am not hoping to run, do athletics, or any heavy squatting etc. Just want to avoid surgery due to crappy health premiums & cannot afford the surgery.

Also, if I decline the surgery but then change my mind later (i.e. save enough money) will the insurance later approve it?

Weird & difficult questions but wanted to ask if anyone has done similar. I realize everyone's situation is different so Im just looking for light conversation, not debate or medical advice.

Thanks!