Patella - referred pain
Submitted by admin on March 14, 2008 - 11:19am.
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Pain arising from the hip and lower back, may be felt to come from the front of the knee. This is called 'referred pain'. It is important that the investigating clinician keeps in mind that pain experienced in the knee may in fact be arising elsewhere. Pain referred from the hipChildren may be born with hip problems, for example Perthes Disease, and complain only of knee pain. Adolescents with Slipped Capital Epiphysis of the hip may experience pain in the knee. Adults with hip arthritis may experience severe knee pain. A hip examination should be a normal part of any investigation of knee pain. It is a curious fact that a hip problem may present with only the symptom of pain experienced in the knee. In this case the knee may be blamed although it may be completely normal.
Pain referred from the lower spineA low back problem, such as a herniated disc, may lead to pain in the knee, and also pain in other parts of the lower leg. Usually the pain is experienced in a specific distribution depending on the which vertebrum r disc is damaged. |
Complex regional pain syndrome
Previously called RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy). This is a condition where the knee has suffered an insult - injury or surgery - and the pain, instead of getting better, becomes unremitting and out of proportion to the apparent situation. The patient may also feel funny feelings in the region, and the skin may become discoloured and blotchy and exquisitely sensitive to even the slightest touch.
This diagnosis is often missed in the early stages - but it is important to be aware of it as it may respond to early treatment, but if allowed to progress the limb may become permanently wasted.
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