knee and side of calf pain

[Paintslinger]

Hi, I am a 40 year-old male. I have recently begun experiencing pain around my left knee and around the outside of the shin/calf area. It sometimes actually hurts worse after resting, though I have felt some relief the last two mornings. The main problem I have is the difficulty and pain I experience trying to lift my leg. the areas are very painful just before and when my thigh is at 90 degrees. Past 90 degrees there is very little pain. Lowering the leg is just as painful.

My dr. found a great deal of fluid around my knee and ordered xrays, which came back negative. Now he has ordered an MRI.

I have begun wrapping my leg just below the knee with a tensor bandage, which does help a little. I use a lot of stairs at my job, and this "injury" has slowed me down considerably.

If I'm reading the anatomical diagrams correctly, the major area of pain is around the tibiofibular joint.

One historical note: I was born with quite flat feet, and was "encouraged" throughout childhood to walk on the outsides of my feet and to turn my knees out. So, I suppose now, that I'm a flat-footed over-supinator. Do you have any ideas on what my injury might be? And, if so, could it be caused by my foot issue? (I have tried to consciously walk flat-footed and have experienced some relief whilst doing this).

Any advice, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

John

[Heidi]

Hi John

Was there any point when your injury occurred? A fall, twist etc?
If not I presume it just came on gradually and built up to the level you are at now.
Do you play any sports? Or other activities which are particularly hard on the knees?

Walking on the outsides of your feet could definately have an impact on your knee alignment and I am very surprised that you were advised to walk this way, although I suppose advancements in knowledge about the effect that foot positioning has on the rest of the body have been made in the last 35 years!

I would advise you to see a podiatrist, who can assess this problem and probably get some orthotics made for you. I believe this would be the best route for you to take.

As for the knee pain, make sure you are stretching the muscles surrounding the knee (calf, quads, hamstrings, groin) regularly and rest it as much as possible. Ice after anything strenuous and use a compression bandage.
Wait for the results of the MRI, although if there was no trauma to the knee which started the injury then I suspect the MRI won't reveal anything.
If this is the case, I think it will have just been a build up of all of your foot problems over the last however many years!

Keep us posted!