Left knee pain

[AlanHB]

Had a couple of collisions playing sports this year. I have incredible pain in my left knee when I run (pushing off with left leg and then it hurts incredibly when its in the air behind me), when I cross my left leg over my right leg (putting my left ankle on my right knee when sitting and having the left knee lower towards the ground a bit - this pain is incredible and is felt on the outside of the knee and toward the calf). The physiotherapist was unsure, just that there was soft tissue damage - xrays were negative.

Does anyone have any idea about this.

Thanks

[Heidi]

Hi

What kind of collisions are we talking? from which direction? and did the pain start then or come on later? Is it tender to touch anywhere?

Sorry for all the questions but it will help me get an idea of whats happening at the knee.

Obviously it is not possible to tell without seeing you and knowing a bit more detail, but have you thought about lateral ligament tear or lateral meniscus? Have a look here for some more information:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/knee_injuries.htm

[AlanHB]

Hi Heidi,
I was playing Broomball (on ice) and hurt it twice. Once was a collision of a couple of people and I couldn't be certain on the direction of the hit, but my knee felt odd. A couple of games later I was tripped and fell forward with my foot held back by the person's stick so it was sort of like holding my front (left)leg out with the knee out and up (ankle towards my torso) as i fell onto it. It hurt a bit then, but gradually worsened. I can't run, as pushing off with the left leg is difficult and it hurts most just after the push off. I can squat with considerable weight and there is no pain but holding my leg isometrically while squatted at a leg bend of 90 degrees and tensing the hamstring muscle causes considerable pain in the back left of the knee. The doctor suggested that there is no reason to suspect a cartilage tear as the xray didn't show any decrease in spacing between the bones and that a ligament tear was unlikely as my leg seemed stable. I'm suspecting a hamstring tendon insertion tear - is this likely? And then of course, what is the best course of action. I'm 50, but quite active.
Thanks, Al

[Heidi]

Ok, thats great that you can rule out thoses two injuries and you've had a x-ray.

Hamstring insertion tear is a possible yes, from the mechanism of injury. Best thing to do from here if this is what your Dr thinks is to try a different physio or physical therapist or similar for a second opinion, with the information you now have from the x-ray and Dr opinion.

If it were me seeing you I would go down the road of massage/ultrasound/stretching and then strengthening the hamstring providing the pain eases.

Good luck!