Knee Issue

makena · ‎10-29-2016

Not seeking medical advice, just an idea of what type of doctor I should see for a knee issue. I'll explain:

About a month ago I dropped something under my desk. I squatted down, but not on my knees, and leaned under to my right. When I did, I felt something in my left knee, a twinge so to speak. It's been hurting ever since, and the pain is increasing. At first I thought I might have just twisted it wrong. So I waited expecting it would resolve on it's own. Now I can't squat or bend my leg at the knee even in a laying down position because it hurts. So I've got to have it looked at. Is an ortho physician the best place to start?

Group 5 minus 1 · ‎03-11-2010

Yes an ortho is the best place to start or a primary care doc.

m0rgan · ‎09-30-2012

Sounds right to me. I did see an ortho doctor and he gave me a shot, MRI and Xray to look. I had a torn meniscus. He said we could do shots every 3 months or I could have it fixed permanently (surgery). I scheduled surgery and had second thoughts, so I postponed. I saw my family doctor and he sent me for physical therapy. That worked well for me. They give you exercises to build up muscles to help the knee. I finished that and then got a personl trainer to continue building up the muscles that surround the knee. It is slow but I have very little pain. They showed me how to go up and down steps, etc. I am happy with where I am

The bottom line is you have to go through the xrays, MRI's to know what is wrong then possibly you will find your answer. I would be careful not to rush into surgery. Hope this helps.

2blonde · ‎03-10-2010

@makena I'm sorry you are having this problem. I've had my share of knee, shoulder, ankle, you-name-it injuries, and this is how I gauge it. After a month the injury should at least be gradually improving. If it's been getting worse as you say, then it's time to have a professional intervention. Yes, an ortho is the right type of physician to see......they've seen their share of knee problems. If you haven't been weight training, it may just be that your quadracep muscles are too week to support your knee. I hope you get some help and don't need surgery. I've had some pretty bad knee injuries in the past, but after a month they were much improved.

Laura loves cats!

makena · ‎10-29-2016

@2blonde and @m0rgan thank you both. Good advice from both of you. I will make the call today. I am in my early 60s and never had any issues with my knees in the past. I appreciate your comments.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

You need to see an orthopedic specialist because whatever is going on began with an inury. Don't wast your time on your pcp. But if you need your pcp's referral to the orthopod, be assertive and make it clear that you only want/need the referral.

hayseed00 · ‎11-24-2011

Othopedic MD, but depending on the type of health insurance, you might need a referral from your primary MD

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

You need an orthopedist who specializes in knees. These guys are very specialized so a hand or hip guy is not going to want to see your knee. Some large practises have one specialist (or more) of every type so the receptionist can direct you to one that does knees.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

@makena wrote:
Not seeking medical advice, just an idea of what type of doctor I should see for a knee issue. I'll explain:

About a month ago I dropped something under my desk. I squatted down, but not on my knees, and leaned under to my right. When I did, I felt something in my left knee, a twinge so to speak. It's been hurting ever since, and the pain is increasing. At first I thought I might have just twisted it wrong. So I waited expecting it would resolve on it's own. Now I can't squat or bend my leg at the knee even in a laying down position because it hurts. So I've got to have it looked at. Is an ortho physician the best place to start?

You sound like me. Expecting your knee pain to resolve on it own. The only time I am not in pain is lying in bed with my right leg completely straight. My knee has been hurting since July. I suspect my pain is because of a drug I am taking. It is a common side effect. I called the Doctor and had him change my prescription. But it is a bit better not much. I am taking the drug because of cancer so no matter what drug I take, I will probably be in pain. Since all the drugs on the market are trying to do the same thing. I have to take it for at least 5 years.

Please keep me posted how things go for you. I am going to talk to the cancer Doctor. I am not sure I want to continue to hobble around for the next 5 years. Thank goodness I live in a rancher house. The few steps I do encounter are killers.