Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 10/28/2008

Question
Dear Richard,

Two weeks ago I slipped and fell back on my feet, bending my knee in and
my lower leg outward awkward way. It hurt a lot to bend my leg and walk, but
a few days later I felt very little pain except when sitting and dangling my leg.
I went for a long mountain trail hike two days ago, with no pain, but now I
can barely walk. The pain seems to be at the top of the kneecap but beneath
it. There is no pain on the sides of the knee or below it. I've been taking
aspirin, with some relief, and have been rubbing it with a rosemary cream.
Sitting, climbing stairs, and lying down are the most painful positions, and
standing is the least painful. Does this sound like something a doctor could
help me with, or just something that needs time to heal?

Susan

Answer
Susan, Thanks for the question. I am first of all sorry to hear about your mishap. Now, to answer your question I would like to think that if this is to heal without some other medical intervention you hopefully are seeing some improvement from two weeks ago.

If it seems as though it is not getting any better then I would go see an orthopedist to have them check it out.

Two weeks out from this type of accident there should be some improvement. Is it swelling at all? Could be a case of simple bursitis that has flared up. But again if there seems to be no relief
and if the pain continues in the areas you have listed have them look at it just to be sure.

Good Luck
Richard Haynes
www.totaljointfitness.blogspot.com