Question
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Followup To
Question - Hello Michael
I have a couple of other questions for you.   I haven't called my doctor to get the orders for the MRI. I'm not sure of what use it would be.  Yesterday, I compared both of my knees and I can see an obvious difference.  The GOOD knee has a large bump on the outer side and the BAD knee does not.  It looks like part of my BAD knee is missing.

You mentioned that you have seen people overcome chonromalicia. Can you tell me what you do to overcome this problem.

If part of my knee is missing, how can that part be replaced.  If it is the cartilage that is missing and my bones are touching each other, is there a treatment for that?

I went to wal-Mart this morning and purchased a knee brace, but not sure yet if it is helping. Sometimes the pain comes later.
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Followup To
Question - Hello Michael,
I just got back from the radialogist. He said nothing showed up on the x-ray so I'm going to call my doctor and have him give me orders for an MRI.

The radiologist also said that with a chronic problem, there isn't anything that can be done.   I did get a prescription for water therapy so I'll start that as soon as possible.

Please tell me what you think?
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Followup To
Question -

Hello Michael,

I think I finally figured out why I cannot sit in sedans and I can in the bench seats.  Because the pedals and the steering wheel on my Ford Ranger is placed right in front of me and I sit right in front of the pedals.

Whereas on the sedans the gas pedal is on my side and I'm reaching sideways to get to the pedal instead of right in front of me....OUCH!!!   It is not natural for  our legs to be used sideways!!

I'm so glad I kept my Ranger been hating to sell it cause I bought it brand new and haven't had any mechanical problems with it in ten years....and no pain either!!!  Except on very long stop and go traffic. All automobiles make my knee hurt really bad in stop and go traffic....so you're right about the chondromalacia patellae.  And when I've tried to jog, my knees do hurt.

 

I also have a hip injury and sitting right in front of the pedal on my Ford Ranger I'm using the back of my leg/thigh where I have the injury...so that body hurts that is why I gave up driving it (it also doesn't have power pedals)


THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.  YOU'RE THE SMARTEST DOCTOR ON THIS WEBSITE.!!!!!!!!

I have an appointment on Monday with the doctor.  I hope he follows through with x-rays or MRI and the prescription for the water exercises.  I cannot exercise due to the back/hip injury.

This week I dared myself to try the public swimming pool and I did well. It didn't cause me horrible inflammation or pain.

The antiinflammatory drugs do abosultly nothing nor the cortizone shots, but homeopathy has been a life saver.


Thanks again and please tell me what you think about my situation with the gas pedal being to the side and not right in front of me like on the bench seats.

THANK YOU!!!!!!! YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER!!!!!!!!




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Followup To
Question - Hello Michael,

My biggest fear is that I don't have any transportation. I live in a very small town and have no family or friends so I have to drive my self to the physical therapist.  

Yesterday I met a woman who recommended a physical therapy center in the town where I purchased the vehicle.  It is about a 25 mile drive with A LOT of STOP AND GO driving.

How do people manage to drive themselves to the phsyical therapist and then get in their vehicle to get hurt all over again.

I only drove the vehicle for a total of about 45 minutes yesterday and that was enough to cause intolerable pain.


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Followup To
Question -  Sorry, I forgot to mention that the knee is not swollen.  
Hello Michael

I have a question regarding pain I have always experienced while driving sedans on my right knee. I took my being pain free for granted for many years when I drove a Ford Ranger with the bench seat.

After my Ford Ranger, I drove a sedan and got rid of it because I couldn't stand the pain on my right knee. I purchased an old van (Ford Aerorstar) and I was relieved of my right knee pain.

yesterday I purchased a small SUV. I measured the height to make sure it was the same height or taller than my Ford Ranger bench seat and it is. But I'm now again experiencing really bad pain on my knee when driving it and it becomes extremely intolerable in stop and go traffic.

Since I thought it had to do with the height of the seat, now I'm at a total loss as to exactly what it is that is causing this horrible and unbearable pain unless I drive a van or a Ford Ranger with a bench seat (which they don't make anymore)


Is there some kind of seat cushion I can try to help with this problem? Or some exercises for my knee?

Can you help me understand what it is that is causing this totally unbearable pain?

Do you know if there are other people with this problem?
Answer -
I have worked with knee problems for over 12 years.  I have been a treating doctor for a university athletic program and have seen a lot of knee problems. Rest assured that many others have this same problem.  The key issue here is what is the cause of the knee pain within the knee.  The height of the seat was obviously a factor, but more important is probably the angle at which you are holding the knee and the distance from you and the pedals. The reason for the extreme pain in stop and go traffic is most likely the fact that you must apply more pressure to the brake pedal than the accelerator.  This new vehicle is probably putting you in a position in which your knee is at a little different angle and your foot hits the pedals differently, thus applying more stress to the knee and causing the symptoms.

In a case such as this, it sounds like a meniscus involvement within the knee joint.  I have a few questions for you.  

Is the pain on the inside or outside of the knee?
Is the knee swollen and if so, where?
Do you have pain on walking up steps?
Is the pain below or under the knee cap?
Have you ever suffered a knee injury before?
What types of activities do you participate (running, walking, basketball, etc.)?

There are several other questions that would avail more information into diagnosing your problem, but I do feel that you are in need of an examination by a doctor.  

I do not think any type of padding or support will really bring you substantial relief.  I do know that whatever the condition your knee is in, it will continue to worsen and move into a more degenerative or arthritic condition if not evaluated and treated.  

I would recommend seeing a chiropractor or sports medicine doctor for a physical exam of the knee, x-rays, and if deemed necessary, an MRI.  The MRI would be the definitive evaluation to determine a tear in a meniscus or knee ligament, but is only necessary if one of these problems is suspected.  It may be something that just requires a little therapy and strengthening, or possibly an anti-inflammatory supplement or medication.  On the other hand, it could be a torn meniscus or ligament which could require arthroscopic surgery.  Whatever the case, if put off, it will continue to cause horrible pain and worsen on a structural standpoint. This would lead to worse problems, pain and cost in the future.

Ask around and find a doctor you can be confident in and go and see them.  Get the knee problem corrected so that you can drive whatever you want to drive.  I am so sorry that you are having this problem. I wish that I could have been more helpful, but I know there is not a patchup fix it for this type of knee problem.  You will be better served in the long run by seeing someone now and taking care of it. If you have any other questions, contact me again through allexperts.com.  Thanks for you question!

Good luck,

Michael S. Boss, D.C.
Answer -
In the absence of swelling, it definitely sounds like chondromalacia patellae. It may also be some simple degeneative change.  See your doctor and have an evaluation with x-rays. This can be helped.  Make that appointment today.  Again, let me know if any other questions and how it goes.

Good luck and God Bless,

Michael S. Boss, D.C.
Answer -
This is where your trip to your doctor may be able to help.  Tell him these concerns and ask for some light pain meds and anti-inflammatories that will hopefully allow you to drive a short distance without severe pain.  Then as you get your therapy, you will begin to feel better.  I know those first few trips may be really tough.  You might even take an ice pack and keep the pack on the knee while driving.  This will help reduce inflammation and pain. You might just have to "gut it up" and drive through the pain the first few trips, then you will feel better and not have as much pain.

Please go see the doctor first.  You will be happy you did.  Stay in touch.

Michael S. Boss, D.C.
Answer -
I think you are right on with the pedal position.  I have seen this before.  I am glad to hear that you are headed to the doctor.  Just ask for the x-rays first, then if there are any signs of worse problems, do the MRI.  The typical chondromalacia patellae won't require an MRI.  

If the anti-inflam meds don't work but the homeopathy does, try some anti-inflammatory enzymes.  Wobenzyme is a great product but there are many.  Also use the cold packs on and off in the meantime.

Have a great weekend. Let me know how it goes.

Mike Boss, D.C.
Answer -
I think you are on the right track.  However, I disagree with the radiologist.  I have seen plenty of chronic knee pain patients and done very well with them.  The MRI is a good move.  Plain film x-rays will often look normal even in the presence of meniscus involvement.

Get the MRI and see what it shows. If it is nothing, I would get acupuncture.  It works wonders in cases like this.  If it does show something, then we can determine the best course of action.

I am proud of you for taking control of this and one way or another you are going to take care of it.

Let me know.

Michael S. Boss, D.C.  

Answer
There are several different treatments for chondromalacia.  The fastest relief I see is with acupuncture.  I think you definitely need to see the doctor to have this checked out.  It is too difficult for me to determine the abnormality without actually seeing the knee.  Make that appt. and get some diagnostics performed so that we can see what is in there and then find out what to do about it.

Let me know!

God Bless,

Dr. Boss