|
bad knees?
okay well for about 3 or 4 months i have been having real bad problems with my knees. when i walk or stretch they sound and feel like my bones are just grinding together. i am always having really bad pains in both knees. i am a cheerleader so i am scared to go to the doctor and find out something is actually wrong with them and be out for the season. does anyone know what this could be and do u think it is neccessary for me to see a doctor?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Health?
When I was about 12/13, I suffered from something called Condra Malasia Patelli. (I think that it how it is spelt). The symptoms were very similar to those you have described.
Put simply, there are two bones in your knee that are separated by cartilidge. However, as I understand it, occasionally something can happen where that cartilidge is softened or damaged and this causes the two bones to rub together, causing the pain and grinding sensation.
It can be resolved with physiotherapy but as I am not a doctor, I would recommend that you should most certainly see a doctor for a professional diagnosis before embarking upon any treatment.
]
Since the pain is in your knees and not your lower legs, it's a pretty safe bet that you're NOT experiencing "shin splints".
The knee is comprised of a number of tendons and ligaments which hold everything together, and cartilagineous "pads" that allow it to bend and rotate. Knee pain can result from inflamation or tearing of any of these elements, and can be caused by trauma, overuse, or simply being a teenager ("growing pains" really do happen).
Ask your family physician to refer you to an Orthpedic Surgeon - preferably one that specializes in sports medicine. It shouldn't be an issue, but if your family physician wants to try him/herself, tell them that you've been experiencing chronic pain for several months and insist that they refer you.
From your (limited) description, treatment might be as simple as doing specific stretches to help re-align the knee. If you've actually done tissue damage, the doctor will probably advise you to rest and rehab for a couple weeks. But even if surgery is called for (which seems unlikely or you'd be in significant pain), arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive, and professional athletes are frequently back in training a week or two after surgery.
Before seeing the Doctor, be a smart patient and take some time to "listen" to your body and figure out exactly where and how your knee hurts. Does it hurt-
-under the patella (kneecap)
-inside the knee joint (between the bones of your upper and lower leg)
-around the knee (the ligaments that hold the knee together)
-as you bend the knee
-as you extend the knee
-as you rotate the knee
-while weighted (standing)
-while unweighted (sitting)
-does it ever "catch" while you bend or rotate it, like something's getting caught in the joint
Being able to clearly describe how and where your knee hurts will help the Orthopedist diagnose the problem.
Finally, as for "find(ing) out something is actually wrong". Trust me, you want to know what's wrong now, not two years from now when you've really done damage. If I had gone to an Orthopedist in high school, a simple stretching routine would have prevented what's now permanent knee pain.
]
Yes it is necessary for you to see a doctor. Sounds to me that you have something in common with alot of pro-runners, tennis ball players, MARINE'S, of course-cheerleaders, pretty much all hard-core athletes. It is Shin Splints. It happens when you push your body over it's limits by to much "exercise". One factor commonly implicated in causing shin splints is overpronation. Pronation occurs when the foot flattens out when weight is applied. The normal foot should flatten slightly, meaning pronation is a normal foot motion. Overpronation occurs when the foot becomes too flattened out causing the foot to roll inwards. This can cause increased demand on the muscle over the front of the leg and lead to complaints of shin splints. There is treatment to help you if this is what you are diagnosed with. (My husband's a Marine and this is what he has so I've read up on it alot and he had the exact samet thing going on with his knee too) Apply ice packs or perform ice massage for up to 20 minutes, three times a day. Take an anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by your doctor. Perform rehabilitation exercises (low-impact) regularly. Swimming and cycling are excellent activities for an individual with shin splints. Try to avoid excessive impact while recovering.
Prevention is best accomplished with smart training. If your sport involves high impact activities, make sure you have days that are low-impact and no running. Make sure you have proper footwear that has been replaced regularly (life span of most running shoes is about 6 months). If you can run on grass or trails for some of your training (rather than pavement) that will also help prevent shin splints. (*TIP..New Balance shoes are mostly what doctor's reccomend because of the great arch support*)
]
it could be arthitis i have it and im 15 but i think you should see a doctor cause you could end up in your 20's using a wheelchair for life think about using a wheelchair for the rest of your life or posibley being out for one little season of cheerleading you might not even have to be takin out of cheerleading.well GOODLUCK !!!
i hope this helps
]
I'm no doctor for sure, but i have that problem too. It could be that your over working your knees. You might want to see a doctor about it before it does get too severe and you have to stop cheerleading permanantly due to something you let get out of hand. I would recommend going and getting it checked out as soon as you can so it doesn't amount to something serious.
]
More Questions: |