Pain outside of right Knee - ONLY when extending

[raz abbs]

Hi. As far as I know, this is a pretty..bizarre injury.. so, I'll do my best to give as much detail as possible.

So, back in November, i was playing Volleyball at college. I literally, stepped forward (right leg forward) and a pain flared up. Limped off court and had 3 days off to recover.

The same thing happened near the start of January, and then again near start of february. Both took around 3 days to recover.

It seems to happen when attempting to extend my right knee very quickly, from a bent and twisted position, for example, sitting cross-legged.

I've been to hospital for it. They thought it might be fluid in the bone. Had an MRI scan which came back completely clear.


Here's the wierd and worrying part.
This same problem popped up Friday before last (10 days ago). And i had physio last Wednesday (while my knee was still painful. The physio said that it wasn't anything to do with ligaments, as there was perfect flexion in every direction. He also said that it wasn't the Minuscous (sp?). The only thign that he said it might be was "Skeletal Growth". My thoughts..? Yeah, Right.

I then lay on my back and attempted to straighten my leg, while he applied pressure downwards. I tensed against this because of the pain (as you would).

He gave me a series of stretches to do (mainly hamstring) do try to get me knee completely straight, but I've still not been able to do this due to pain.

I'm worried this time, because other times it's taken around 3 days to recover and be able to completely straighten my knee. It's not 10 days after it's last happened, and I still cannot fully straighten.

When i do try to straighten my knee, i feel pain on the outside, and a pain that seems to follow the bottom of the patella.


I'm sorry about the long post but I'm very concerned about this, especially as I wish to go into the forces.


EDIT: I'm pretty sure it's nothing to do with muscles, as (if my knee is bent) i can still easily support my full body weight on that leg.
Also, there's no swelling.

[Heidi]

Hi
It is difficult to suggest what this may be. So a full MRI of the knee came back completely clear?
I'm not sure what the physio meant from what you said about skeletal growth....especially if you're at college age.
I would personally try another physio. My thoughts would be ligament damage, although this would usually show up on an MRI.
Try anopther physio, see what they think and go from there?
Sorry not to be more helpful.

[raz abbs]

Hi Heidi.
I've got to go back for another Physio session in 2 weeks, and the person i had last Wednesday is on holiday i think. SO I'll have a different one then.

Physio last Wednesday said it can't be ligament due to being able to bend it, forwards and backwards, and also side to side perfectly.

I agree with you on the "skeletal growth" It can't be. If I'd woke up one morning with a pain, yes maybe, but it only happens if I quickly straighten and untwist my knee. My dad said it could just be an easy way out if they're unsure what it is, but don't want to admit they're unsure.

When I've had my second physio session, if anything new is suggested i'll repost here

Thanks for replying