I went down hard on my knee, and now seem to have some complications...?

Question

I was playing roller hockey and went down on my knee, and my pad slid away and it hit bare. It was in some pain, like I bruised it, but wasn't too bad. Finished the tournament and been still playing over the past 2 months. However, I took a 3 week stretch off because the pain was getting no better. However, after taking the break, it still hurts just the same. It doesn't get any worse by being active, like running.

The problem isn't so much the knee, there is some discomfort, but the biggest problem is that my whole leg below the knee feels fatigued, like I have been working hard all day on it, even when I am just waking up in the morning. Also, I feel a bit pain in my foot occasionally.

I want to go to the Doctors, but my new job doesn't have insurance kick in until mid September, so I want to see what I might be looking at prior to that visit.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Ice it and elevate it as often as possible.  Soft tissue (ligaments, tendons, etc..) take MUCH LONGER to heal than broken bones do so if you've injury or irritated a ligament or tendon - it could be a couple of months before you start to feel any relief,  And, if there's inflamation in the knee, it makes blood flow to the foot/calf more difficult, so that's likely the cause of the fatigue feeling that you have.

Definately see a dr as soon as you can, but in the mean time, try to stay off of it as much as you can and take the elevator or entry ramp outside of buildings instead of stairs every chance you get!

Feel better!

Answer 2

get that knee looked after pronto.

You're probably already too late to prevent permanent damage of some sort, but there may be enough left that you can live a reasonably normal life without constant pain.

Knees are marvelous machines, but incredibly sensitive at the same time.

If your entire lower leg feels dead and unresponsive, that points to either nerve damage or a nerve that's obstructed somewhere, pressing up against something in that knee.

Combined with damaged tendons and (maybe, hopefully not) bones you could be in for a very long, possibly quite painful, recovery.

No more sports for you, no more putting any strain on that leg beyond the minimum needed to walk (but do some light exercises to try to keep the knee mobile).

A good doc should be able to diagnose all that's wrong with it and prescribe a comprehensive recovery and treatment regimen. But do prepare yourself for a path that will take months, and to never regaining the full use of that leg (believe me, I damaged my right knee 12 years ago and it's still not 100%).

Answer 3

Joints can take a long time to heal, and sometimes using a joint will prevent the healing process from progressing normally. You will need to see a doctor when you are able. Until then, take it easy, use advil if it is painful, and ice it occasionally.