Knee problems. Any insight?

I figure with the amount of people here, hopefully someone knows what I am going through and can maybe offer some insight while I wait for yet another trip to the doctor...

I've always had minor problems with my knees, figure its from my flat feet but it wasn't anything major. That is, until a month or so ago when my left knee started making a popping sound only when I went down steps. A couple weeks ago it randomly swelled up pretty bad. Ice and elevation made it go away after a few days but I still ended up at the doctor, then off to get an xray which came back perfect. I have to go back this week, then she is going to send me for an ultrasound.

Now, of course, my right knee is making that same dreaded sound going down steps. They both hurt on stairs and if I am carrying anything even remotely heavy, they feel like they are gonna give out on me. Not fun!

So anyone else here have knee problems? What did you end up getting done and are flat feet REALLY that bad when it comes to knees? I am just hoping I haven't done some irreversible damage to them. I just want the pain to let up a bit. I am only 28 but I feel like I am falling apart.

Yes, flat feet CAN cause that many problems. Here's a link:

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/pate.../a/kneecap.htm

I had the same problem for the last few years, hurts to bend the knee, hurting worse walking down the steps, the need to stretch out my leg to stop the burning sensation when I wasn't doing anything. It got to the point where my knee felt like it was going to give out on me

I went to my doctor and he referred me to an orthopedic doctor. I was officially diagnosed with flat feet (which I knew for years, but didn't think it was that big of a deal). Well, flat feet set your body off balance where your ankle actually "roll" when you're walking and causes the knee cap to grind on the cartilage that holds your knee in place. Basically, you're leg bones are out of alinement which causes extra wear and tear.

I was sent to physical therapy and they prescribed a pair of orthodic foot inserts. They are molded to fit your unique arch and they have done wonders!! They aren't cheap (mine were almost $300) but most of it should be covered under insurance. But it molds to my feet and gives my legs the added support they need for the bones to stay were they are supposed to be.

It's not an immediate thing. It was probably 2 months before I saw a real difference but now my knee hardly bothers me at all (unless it's cold and damp, or I sit in one position for a long time).

I was honestly afraid I was going to have to have a knee replacement but the fix is really very simple.

Hope this helps!! I know how bad this paid can be!

There are two ways you can approach this:
1. Strengthen the muscles in your feet so they support your body
OR
2. Wear orthotics to support your body.

Method one requires you to exercise more, spend more time barefoot and wear shoes with plenty of space for your toes.
Method two requires that you get a properly fitted insole and wear it for the rest of your life, getting them adjusted as needed.

I have high arches that fall (almost making them flat) and knees that bend inward, giving me pain in my arches, knees, hips and back.
The first thing I did was try orthotics and while they gave immediate relief it was only temporary. Walking or standing for a long time still caused me great pain. And I never actually graduated to the official ones I was supposed to wear because they didn't feel good at all. (And they were expensive ones.)

Some time later I stumbled upon FiveFinger shoes and in turn what strengthened my feet and relieved my pain. FiveFinger shoes are super thin shoes with a space for each of your toes; like gloves for your feet. They are based off the idea that your feet were created they way they are for a reason. You don't need all that padding and arch support and what-not to get around. All that stuff only constricts your feet and leads to weak muscles, crossed toes, bunions, etc. It also gives you better posture and strengthens muscles in the right areas to relieve back, knee and arch pain.
You don't have to buy special shoes however. Spending more time barefoot and getting shoes with more room for your toes and no raised heels works as well. Making your feet work more is all that matters.
Here is an article that sums it all up pretty well: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-fe..._b_207121.html

Since your x-ray came back OK, I'm wondering if you might need an MRI? Or maybe since you're having the ultrasound, no MRI is required.

When I started having problems last spring, it was pretty much the same symptoms: a popping sound in my knee (only it got to the point where I almost went down a couple of times, esp if I turned around quickly....I'd have to grab something so I wouldn't fall), and the swelling. And then pain. The whole knee area really hurt, esp behind the knee. And it was very swollen. It got to the point where the pain would wake me up at night and I could not relax my left leg enough to get the back of my knee to rest on the bed....there was quite a bit of pain. We live in a bi-level and going downstairs hurt like heck; it was hard to bend that knee. One step at a time and very carefully.

X-ray didn't show much, so the orthaepedic surgeon sent me for an MRI. And that's when they discovered the miniscus on the inside of my left knee was torn. Not too much they can do for that. It was about a two-hour surgery on a Tuesday morning, in and out of the surgical unit, and they just shaved off the miniscus to the place where it was torn. Bed rest for that day and by the end of the week, I was in PT.

Since you're only 28 (and if you're not overweight, sorry for bringing that up), you might not be ready for a knee replacement yet. I hope it's nothing really serious for you.

Thanks!

I am thinking I might need the insoles for my shoes but thankfully they are covered.

As for what Minka said:

Method one requires you to exercise more, spend more time barefoot and wear shoes with plenty of space for your toes.
Method two requires that you get a properly fitted insole and wear it for the rest of your life, getting them adjusted as needed.

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At the moment, I can't exercise too much, as its painful to bend my knees. I go barefoot at home all the time, I don't even like wearing socks...but I think walking around without any support is whats causing my problem. So I think the insoles will be the next step if the ultrasound shows nothing. (Unless I do end up getting an MRI) As for my shoes, I generally wear "skater shoes" as I find they are the most comfortable and give me room. Regular running type sneakers make my feet hurt badly.

I don't know how much if it would be a weight issue (I am only slightly overweight, maybe 15lbs) since I was getting slight joint pain even when I was tiny.
I am hoping it doesn't come to surgery, even though the thought doesn't really bother me. I just want to get back to my normal activities without the aching...I wanna go back to being a kid!

Hmm, are your knees painful when swimming? Or when they are not bearing weight? Maybe exercises where you are laying on your back?

Its actually good that you are using 'skater shoes' versus running shoes. Skater shoes are nice and flat with lots of room and if insoles are the solution, they will fit nicely in there.

I doubt it is weight if you are only 15lbs over and 28. It may just be a genetic issue that is causing the cartilage in your knees to fail or something of the like.

Originally Posted by Minka

Hmm, are your knees painful when swimming? Or when they are not bearing weight? Maybe exercises where you are laying on your back?

Its actually good that you are using 'skater shoes' versus running shoes. Skater shoes are nice and flat with lots of room and if insoles are the solution, they will fit nicely in there.

I doubt it is weight if you are only 15lbs over and 28. It may just be a genetic issue that is causing the cartilage in your knees to fail or something of the like.

Click to expand...

I haven't been swimming this year at all, so I am not sure about that. They hurt mainly on stairs, when I lift anything 10lbs+ and when I bend/kneel down.

Yeah a lot of general running shoes have arches in them and since they are not formed for my feet, they make them hurt. The skaters have no support, which may very well be my problem but they fit nice and are quite comfy. Not the most stylish and appropriate for my age but ah well. The fashion police will have to give me a ticket.

Originally Posted by LuvMyParker

I haven't been swimming this year at all, so I am not sure about that. They hurt mainly on stairs, when I lift anything 10lbs+ and when I bend/kneel down.

Yeah a lot of general running shoes have arches in them and since they are not formed for my feet, they make them hurt. The skaters have no support, which may very well be my problem but they fit nice and are quite comfy. Not the most stylish and appropriate for my age but ah well. The fashion police will have to give me a ticket.

Click to expand...

Yea, stairs and lifting are the hardest on your knees.

I also vote that skater shoes are forever fashionable. ;D

Knee problems are the worst! But I definitely feel your pain. I've been having knee problems for many years now, and have been on and off of celebrex I'm not much of a medication person, so I only take it when it really hurts. I'm only 25, I'd prefer not to be taking medication that is usually prescribed for arthritis

Something else that works for me is a kind of knee brace, that is like a stiff band that sits below my knee cap. You velcro the band right under your knee cap and in the front there is a stiff portion you can tighten and loosen. I used it when running, walking or doing stairs. You can get expensive custom made ones, but I just bought mine from Shoppers and it works fine.

Also, there is a knee "exercise" that my doctor keeps telling me to do. I'll do it for like 2 days and then stop, but my doctor seems to think it would greatly help so I'll try to explain it to you. Sit on the ground with your legs straight in front of you. Roll up a towel (or a pillow, small blanket, whatever) and put it on the floor at the bend of your knee (whatever knee is hurting). Then with your knee sitting on the towel, lift your shin/foot and hold in the air for 10 seconds. I'm not exactly sure what it's supposed to accomplish, but the doctor says it would help I hope you get it all figured out!!

I’ve been suffering from a worn out knee for years. I’m not sure if it is because I’m flat-footed or whether it’s because of my weight. The doctor has told me to go on a diet. I’ve tried – lost a few pounds but not enough. I’m due for knee replacement next week and then some physical therapy in NJ post-operation. Just wanted to say that you shouldn’t neglect your knee problem—get early treatment, do whatever it takes now before it gets too bad.

I still have to go back to my doctor for further investigation. I should be on the ball with it but I've just been caught up in other stuff. The swelling has not come back and the pain isn't as bad but the cracking/popping is still there. I hope I don't end up having surgery!