jammed knee

[jsm1001]

Last week playing tennis I stopped hard to change direction and jammed my right knee. I don't believe I twisted or torqued it in any way, just stopped hard and jammed it. I stopped playing, went home and iced it. It swelled a little and was uncomfortable but not terribly painful. Two days later and since then about every three days I have played some soccer on it. My movement has not been inhibited much and it has not been painful; just a bit uncomfortable. Each time I iced the knee afterwards, but later, after sitting for a while, it gets slightly swollen both around the knee cap and, it seems, behind the knee as well. The level of swelling seems to be subsiding more each time; it's been about ten days now. The knee cap is slightly tender in a couple of spots right on the patella but not above or below it. I still cannot kneel and sit on my feet to stretch because of tightness and discomfort both in the quad and around the knee but also behind the knee where it feels a bit "full" I guess from some residual swelling. Is this a strained patellar tendon? A bruised patella or miniscus? I haven't had anything like this or any problem with my knees in recent years -and only one minor problem with my other knee from years ago that is virtually gone. (I'm a very active "young" 64 year old - with teenage kids). Opinion?

[Heidi]

Hi,

I don't think it sounds like a patella tendon problem. If it were it would be tender to touch the patella tendon, it wouldn't normally cause swelling behind the knee and the way you injured it is not a usual cause of injury.

Cartilage damage is a possible though. Either a small tear to one of the meniscus or a flake of articular cartilage (which covers the end of the bones) floating in the joint.

It is however, very difficult to provide you with any accurate information without seeing you and your knee! Your best bet is to visit a professional for a full assessment.

In the mean time, try to rest it as much as possible, continue icing to help remove the swelling and try to stretch the quads, hamstrings and calves. If you need some different ideas on stretching, have a look here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/stretching/allstretches.php

Good luck!

[jsm1001]

THanks so much for your quick and helpful reply.