Really worried about my knee pain

[Katemate84]

Hi there,
I'm new here and looking to talk to some people who may be going through similar. I've had a bad knee now for nearly a year, clicks when I got up stairs, feels slightly warm to touch at the front of the knee and can't kneel on it. I know this may sound silly but it's giving me anxiety and I'm worrying incase it's a blood clot? I had an ultrasound which showed Fluid on my knee and a bakers cyst at the back. Has anyone else had one? I'm just feeling a bit alone at the moment so any replies on here would be much appreciated Xx

[SuspectDevice]

Sounds like patella chondromalacia (damage to cartilage on back of the kneecap) and/or synovial lining inflammation.

Blood clot? I don't think so, ultrasound would have shown that.

Baker Cyst - unless really large, the experts never worry about those, they just leave them alone. I had one (probably still do) and it was never an issue - other things were my problems. Once you fix the other problems, the Bakers Cysts often shrink too.

As for treatment, first approach should be very conservative - avoid things which aggravate it or make it click, don't kneel. Time and patience are your friend, it can be a long road to make sore knees feel better.

[Katemate84]

Thanks for the reply. I do have fluid on the knee, that was confirmed on my leg scan as well as the bakers cyst at the back which they did say wasn't dangerous. To be honest, the pain has subsided so I can only imagine it is going down or away. I'm just at a loose end as to what to do x

[vickster]

Have you had an MRI, after nearly a year of pain without a clear diagnosis, I'd be requesting one? Presumably you've seen a knee specialist?

[Katemate84]

So I went privately and saw a specialist who did an ultrasound confirming stuff. Would an MRI show up something else?

[vickster]

It'll give a much more detailed picture of the bones and soft tissues than ultrasound (although if you're paying privately an MRI can be xc2xa3500 give or take, assuming you're in the UK)

What diagnosis and treatment plan did the specialist give?

Whereabouts are you based?

[Katemate84]

So I was diagnosed with mild degenerative changes to right knee, sonotive fluid on knee and a bakers cyst at the back. They offered to remove the fluid and have the procedure done another day privately but I went back to my dr who said I didnt necessarily need it done unless it carried on hurting and the cyst would subside once the rest was treated. If you were me what would you do?

[vickster]

I'd get an MRI if it's still painful (is it? Also at rest?), arthritis and bakers cysts can also pre exist with a meniscus tear for example. It may not show anything but it may do
How old are you?
Are you taking any medication, using ice to reduce swelling?

[Katemate84]

I'm 35. The knee is much better with rest. There is slight heat that comes from my knee cap but at rest there's no pain, just when I move a lot on it. I'm a pe teacher too so I'm on it constantly which may not be helping. I don't take anything for the pain but am wondering if anti inflammatory may help. Thanks for taking the time to reply

[vickster]

Start icing the knee every evening, 15 minutes, ice pack in teatowel. An expert physio also recommended massage with an ice cube, rub it over the knee having oiled the skin with some bio oil or similar to stop it sticking and potentially burning the skin.
If you start on anti inflammatories, discuss with GP and get a PPI like omeprazole prescribed to protect your stomach.

Maybe use a compression sleeve too while on your feet, running around etc

[Katemate84]

Thanks so much

[SuspectDevice]

I agree with Vickster.

Icing & rest should be the first approach for a few weeks. I imagine rest could be tricky though as a PE teacher! Just do your best to avoid extreme things (including squatting, kneeling, stairs). Gentle walking never bothered mine.

Don't over-ice (i.e. don't freeze you knee). I ice mine for 15 mins most nights.

If no better, then perhaps an MRI, though it will probably show patella chondromalacia (which lots of people have, but not all get pain). It might show another problem (e.g. torn meniscus) though your symptoms don't sound like that.

Then maybe anti-inflamatories might be the next option.