Patella pain or MCL

[Tooey]

Hi

I was wondering if someone could help. I started having pain and clicking/popping from the medial side of my left knee back in November. The popping generally occurred whilst doing squats and I would get a little bit of aching in the area after running but not during. About a month ago the pain increased, I got my knee examined by two final year Sport Therapy students where I work who advised me to go to GP as it was thought I could have MCL and/or menicus problems (I had a positive McMurrays test) and they wrote a referral letter.

The GP referred me on to a physio who seems to have totally ignored the letter and diagnosed me with patella pain syndrome! Having read the information on here, it could be adding to the problem but I have not once had pain in and around the patella and the pain is increasing on the medial joint and is quite sore when touched. I told this to the physio at my last appointment but he again, seems to be ignoring this and not re-assessing my knee.

I'm currently taking ibuprofen and wearing a light support around the knee but can anyone offer any advice on what to do.
thanks!

[Heidi]

Hi
Its a difficult position. From what you have said (and bear in mind it is impossible to really know from just a description) I would think that a cartilage injury is most likely. Neither MCL injuries or PF pain usually cause a repetitive popping on the medial knee.

If you are really not happy with the treatment you are receiving, all you can do is to ask for a second opinion either there or somewhere else.
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/medialmeniscus.htm

what treatment or exercises have you been given?

[Tooey]

Thanks for the reply. I will be seeking second opinion from someone else as the treatment I have received from the NHS physio as been bad.

He did give me some stretches for the outside of the quads (IT band?) and through the hip and told me to get on a bike to help strenght the muscles. He was very non-specific.

I am currently seeing a personal trainer who I'm going to speak to about doing some strenghtening work. I did mention this to him last week but because my knee was quite sore he kept be away from lower body work while I was with him. If you could recommend anything I'd be grateful.

[Heidi]

The stretches you have been given are typical of what I would expect for patella pain syndrome.
In terms of strengthening, this is a good idea, although just be careful not to overdo it and do only what you feel comfortable doing. If something is painful, or causes pain after then don't do it!
Do only closed chain exercises (thoses with the foot fixed) i.e. leg press/lunges rather than knee extension.