lower thigh/side of knee

[andychief]

I play alot of football and in the last few months I've been having problems at the side of my knee, sort of feels lik it's round the back of the knee or at the very bottom of my thigh. It surfaced last year and i stopped playing for a while, then started jogging again and it reoccurred albeit mildly. I even had an MRT scan and my ligaments are all intact and healthy.
so i started pplaying again 3 weeks ago, no problems -then i played 90 iminutes for the 1st time last week and i felt it during the last 10 minutes - no pain but a twinge - about an hour lafter the game my leg started to cease up and the pain started, walking difficult and going up and down stairs very difficult - 2 days later it was all but gone again. it's strange and I don't understand what it might be? Would buying a knee support help?

[Heidi]

Hi!

Need a bit more info on this one! Describe where the pain is....on the inside of the knee or the outer side?
What kind of pain is it? Sharp? Achey? etc

Heidi

[andychief]

hi heidi

yeh, it was very acute in the first 2 days after doing it again, which was last saturday.if looking at the knee from the back it would be sort of top left corner. I suspect a lower hamstring strain . could i be right? it's more the outer side really.
i was limping badly sat and sunday, stairs were a nightmare- it didn't just "go" but sort of came on really as the match prgressed. it was fine in the first half but last 15 mins of second half was when i realised something was not totally correct - it was a very cold day too, i don't know whether this has any bearing. it doesnt hurt now but is alittle bit uncomfortable, especially when i do any brisk walking and I am a brisk walker! maybe I'm just paranoid....I am in the squad for a game tomorrow but am seriuosly considering pulling out, very important game though.
Help!!

Andy

[Heidi]

Hi again!

So the pain is on the inside of the knee joint, but towards the back of the knee? Could possibly be hamstring tendon then yes. If it hurt to bend your knee against resisitance and was tender to touch then that is likely.
Another possibility is a MCL sprain, which is the ligament running down the inside of the knee.

Check out this page http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/medialligament.htm
for MCL to see if your symptoms match!

It is possible to strain the MCL without rupturing it which can make it feel painful and sore without an actaul point when you feel it go.

Tomorrow, make sure you have a full warm-up, probably more extensive than your team mates! Wear a knee support if you have one. If you feel it, stop immediately and ice the area for 15 mins, repeating this every 3 hours.
Of course the best thing would be not to play...but I know thats easier said than done!

Hope this helps,
Let me know how you get on!

Heidi

[andychief]

hi

cheers for the advice, I actually tried to jog on it tonight just to see how it would hold up and i only lasted 5 minuted before i decided that it wasn't a good idea. So no football tomorrow and due to other commitments i can't play for the next three weeks anyway. Am going to rest up and start light jogging in 2 and a half weeks, see how i go.
thanks anyway
andy