Knee problem. Help!?

Question

Okay so I've been feeling pain in my left knee for quite some time. I'm 15, about 5'7 and I play LOTS of soccer, but I've never gotten an injury to the knee. So here's how the pain is: when I move my left leg in a kicking motion, I can feel something inside my knee almost, cracking I guess you can say. But only when I'm kicking from the knee down. Not my whole leg. When I do the same thing with my right leg, I feel nothing in my knee. Today at soccer practice I kicked the ball with my left leg (which is my weaker leg if that helps) and it started to hurt. When I went to buy shoes later after practice, when I bent my leg in that kicking motion, the cracking inside was BIG. And everytime I kick alot when I sit down to feel the cracking, it cracks out loud every once in a while. I'm afraid that something is wrong. Maybe sprained or pulled or ripped muscle? Any ideas please?

Answer 1

Walk it off.

Answer 2

I think you pulled a muscle. Try doing more warmups and stretching out your knees more to prevent any serious problems with your knee. To get rid of the pain, try Tylenol. You can also soak your whole body in Epson salt.

Wish you the best! Get better!  

Answer 3

Most of the answers already stated are all possibilities. I had a very similar problem with my knee and found that the knee brace called kneedit helped relieve my knee pain significangtly. It basically helps support your knee cap and still allows for great movement.

I bought mine off ebay but you can check the details of it on the site I listed below.

Be cautious of knee injuries, it could lead to surgery with a tough recovery.

Answer 4

Most of the time when you experience the loud cracking sound of any parts of your body w/ out severe pain, it's usually your joints making this sound due to them rubbing together often times causing friction which produces the pain you are feeling...you should be sure to drink plenty enough milk so that your joints and bones are receiving the calcium that they need!

Answer 5

Probably have a torn or stretched ligament, which holds the knee bones firmly. You should get off that leg for a while and give it a chance to heal. If it is torn and you continue to play soccer, it will only get worse. Ten you may need surgery to correct it. Rest as much as you can, wear a knee brace when up on the leg, see what happens. Good luck to you sir.

Answer 6

All I can think of is: are you stretching properly after practice?

Ice it.

Ibuprofen or acetaminophen (or both. one is inflammatory, the other ups pain tolerance.)

I wouldn't bother with a Doctor. They just tell you what you already know. It's not broken and ice it.

Answer 7

Torn Ligament

The ligaments in all joints strengthen the articular capsule and in so doing stabilise the joint. Ligament strains or tears occur if the joint is twisted or overstretched. Ankles and knees are particularly often affected by ligament strains or tears.

Symptoms of a Torn Ligament

There is usually a cracking or a snapping sound when a ligament is torn. Symptoms include bruising, swelling as well as pain with pressure of the joint. There is only limited movement of the joint, if it can be moved at all. A dent can be seen where the ligament has been torn.

Prevention

You should protect your joints with an elastic bandage if you have had multiple ligament tears. Avoid sports that have quick, strenuous movements such as squash, tennis, sprints etc…

Treatment:

Keep the injured ligament elevated, cool it with ice and make sure to rest it for a few weeks. Compression dressings, bandages or splints are used to help rest the injured ligament. If you have a torn ligament, it can take between 8 to 12 weeks before returning to normal physical activities. If bones have been damaged or the joint is very unstable then an operation may be necessary. Go to the doctor!

Answer 8

The meniscus lining of your knee could be inflamed, torn or missing.  Or you could have a ligament tear.  Something is not right.   If you value your ability to walk and run, I would see an orthopedist.