Question
QUESTION: Last week, I noticed there was dull pain on the anteromedial side of my right knee that came and went so I applied a topical NSAID on it and also iced it. After few days, the inside side of my knee started feeling tight which is more apparent when I'm standing. The tightness seems to extend to my upper leg down to my calf and my big toe. There is no pain or loss of range of motion. But it feels awkward to be in a squatting position - like my knee would give in. I also notice that it seems like it wants to pop. Like i have to extend and bend it back and forth until it pops.  When I bend it while standing and press on the inner side on my knee, I can feel something clicks. When I walk my knee seems like it goes ahead of me. I've been doing leg and calf sretches but it still feels tight. Pressing on the tight area makes the tightness less aparent so I'm wearing a patellar brace.

Because my other knee is injured, I haven't been able to run/jog. I do occasional cardio using an eliptical trainer. I've also been doing knee srengthening excercises (calf raise, inner and outer thigh, multihip using light weights). Also this started, after I took a week off the gym.

Thanks!

ANSWER: Dear Dean,

This Chicago Podiatrist, Elmhurst Podiatrist & West Loop Podiatrist says.......
Your pain sounds like tendonitis or just soreness of those muscles in the area secondary to over-exercise.
That said- For the tendonitis -use your knee brace, anti-inflammatory medicines, possible physical therapy-and get a good diagnosis.Hands on exam is the best!
Also as we age-there is wear & tear on our joints-especially with aggressive exercise.
Stop the exercising and do PRICE
Protect-Wear your knee brace and limit the movements that aggravate it.
Rest-Speaks for itself-rest it.
Ice- Will help if it is painful and a little with the swelling. Use heat for stiffness only after one more week. If it hurts-go back to icing.
Compress-Ace wrap  or knee sleeve
Elevate-Will help if it throbs or swells.
Continue with gentle stretches and range of motion only.
The elliptical trainer is not recommended-and may aggravate your condition.
If it feels unstable, or locks up-then seek a diagnosis sooner. Possible meniscus or internal ligament problem.
If it feels stable then give mother nature a few weeks to see if any improvement. Improvement will be slow-because the knee is used daily in all weight bearing activities.
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle orthopedics & sports injuries.

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dr. Tsatsos,

Thanks for the prompt response. My knee doesn't feel unstable. The tightness is just really uncomfortable. It's also been a while since the last time I used the elliptical trainer. As days pass, I notice the whole area that connects my feet and my shin is feeling more uncomfortable - like it it feels somewhat but but necessarily tired - kind of tight though. When I woke up this morning and tried standng on my right leg, i felt pain not on the tight area but on the area above my knee, inner side of my upper leg.

Answer
Dear Dean,

This Chicago Podiatrist, Elmhurst Podiatrist & West Loop Podiatrist says.......
Your pain still sounds like tendonitis or just soreness of those muscles in the area secondary to over-exercise. If the weird feeling persists-then suspect irritation of the nerve feeding that area-which could be from a sore back-or arthritis of the lumbo-sacral spine. Google a dermatome map & see if the weird feeling follows the nerve pathway of a dermatome.
I would still give  mother nature a few weeks to see if any improvement. Improvement will be slow-because the knee is used daily in all weight bearing activities. If the weird feeling increases-then seek a hands on diagnosis.
Stop the exercising and do PRICE
Protect-Wear your knee brace and limit the movements that aggravate it.
Rest-Speaks for itself-rest it.
Ice- Will help if it is painful and a little with the swelling. Use heat for stiffness only after one more week. If it hurts-go back to icing.
Compress-Ace wrap  or knee sleeve
Elevate-Will help if it throbs or swells.
Continue with gentle stretches and range of motion only.

Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle orthopedics & sports injuries.

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.