Knee problem - not sure who to see about it Options

[polkadot]

For the last couple of months I've been doing regular exercise - just walking, and nothing too strenuous, about 45 mins x 3 times a week. I tell myself it's good for my general health so I don't want to stop doing it, but it's making one of my knees hurt. I've had to stop walking fast as that makes it worse, but even relatively brisk walking is painful, and I don't think there's much health benefit in just strolling.

I'd like to do something about it but I'm not sure what. I've thought of the following options:

1. See my GP. I don't feel as if it's bad enough for the whole weight of the NHS to be put into sorting out my knee - it's not as if it's causing my entire life to be affected. Plus I'd probably have to wait *insert timescale* on the NHS whereas if I see a private specialist, I can do something about it straight away. On the other hand, a GP or hospital referral would presumably be able to accurately diagnose the cause of the pain.

2. See a physiotherapist. Possibly, although I don't have any recommendations.

3. See a chiropractor. I used to see a chiropractor regularly for years over a back problem. They alleviated the symptoms temporarily but didn't cure the problem. I think they could probably do the same with my knee.

4. See an Alexander Technique practitioner. An AT practitioner cured my long-standing back problem. I hadn't thought AT would be suitable for my knee, until I read some old forum posts which made me re-think.


But I'm still not sure, so I'd be interested to know whether anybody can think of any options I've missed, or share what's worked for you if you've had knee pain (albeit not necessarily from the same cause), or just any other thoughts on my options.

Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Very Sane Tom]

To start with, see your doctor, in case there is serious damage that needs modern medical care.

After that you need to find out what has caused the problem - incorrect footfall, weak supporting muscles at the joint, ... there are many possibilities. Maybe you have just done too much too soon.

A specialist in sporting injuries and rehabilitation is most likely to be able to help. You can often find them attached to gymns or football clubs. Perhaps your doctor will recommend one.

Beware of orthotics. They might help, but then again they might not (by making permanent some biomechanical imbalance that could have been cured properly). They can be expensive too.

Meanwhile swimming is good exercise (but crawl, NOT breaststroke) and will maintain your fitness and strength.

[BitterSweet]

To start with, see your doctor, in case there is serious damage that needs modern medical care.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

There is -never- a reason too small to see your GP about, and while NHS waiting lists etc can be long and tiresome, the treatment is free at the end of it. The physio, chiropractor and AT will not be free. Long waiting lists are also a reason to get on them sooner rather than later. In fact, in general, it's a good thing to go sooner rather than later - it's easier to treat all illnesses and injuries in the early stages!

While the other options may help, I would HIGHLY recommend a professional diagnosis even if you do end up seeing a physio, chiropractor or AT in the end. Any practitioner in those areas worth seeing will welcome the diagnosis and include it in their work.

[fsharpminor]

Polkadot, I have the same problem, and do a similar walking regime to you, about 2 miles as many days in the week as I can. It settles down after a half hour rest. I am not intending to see any medic about it (I haven't seen a doctor for 6 years now!)

[Crotchettymoomoo]

I've had plantar fasciitis for over two years now, and I think I can say with much certainty that I would not still be suffering if I hadn't had the attitude of "It'll go away on it's own/I'm not bothering my GP with it - it's only foot pain". It was over twelve months later that I finally saw my GP who referred me to a physio at my local hospital. The waiting time from GP to physio was about 2 months so in the meantime I asked my manager at work to refer me to Occupational health as it was affecting my ability to perform my duties (I also work for the NHS) - would this be an option for you?. I can't fault them as they immediately referred me to a private physio and I was given 7 sessions of treatment which made all the difference whilst waiting to see the NHS physio. I was also prescribed orthotics which OH paid for.

Since wearing the orthotic insoles I've had what started off as discomfort in my right knee which I didn't find unusual as I was changing the way I walked which would undoubtedly have effects further up my legs. In the last month this discomfort has become much worse and the pain quite often wakes me up at night. This time, rather than leave it too late I tried self-medication for four weeks then saw my GP this week (Monday) after no improvement. She gave me a referral letter for an x-ray and I had to phone to make an appt. I had the x-ray on Wednesday and now have to wait 7-10 days for the results and from there no doubt I'll have to wait for something else but at least I'm on a waiting list sooner rather than later - something which I will always regret with regards to my feet.

Get it seen - now!

Please (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[corenfa]

I had one-sided knee pain which I suspected was due to two things - bad posture caused by carrying a messenger bag to work/school for years, and weak muscles. I started going to quite intensive yoga classes twice a week, and it went away after six months of this. I never saw a doctor or any other therapist for it; if my suspicion was correct, the yoga improved my posture as well as strengthened my legs.

Why didn't I see a doctor? Not sure. I think because I wanted to see if the yoga worked. If it hadn't, or if the pain was such that it was affecting my daily life, or I had any other reason to think it might be something serious like cancer, I would have gone to my doctor.

[Banjogirl]

Both my knees hurt when I exercise and have done since I was young. I know what it is - I saw a doctor years ago - and I know that eventually I can have an operation if necessary. But just knowing what it is is reassuring as I know I'm not doing damage by using it and that it can be treated when the time comes. Swimming is the only thing that doesn't aggravate it. There's no reason not to see your doctor. The answer might be to put up with it as long as you can but at least you'll know! And it may be that something useful can be done.

[Dugazon]

I don't know how your local Health Centre operates, but I know for sure that my GP would immediately send me to the physio with stuff like that (I'm in Scotland, don't know if that makes a difference).

If I have any skeletal or muscular problems (which I do, including some old dance-related knee-injuries that take their toll now), my GP won't even bother. I don't mean that in a bad way, he just will straightaway say: "That's a case for the physio." The physiotherapists are in the same building though, and you can make an appointment without going through your GP (which I usually do these days). If anything warrants a closer look, they will actually recommend I see a consultant at one of the local hospitals.

So my personal recommendation would be physio straightaway, that doesn't mean anything though...

[Tenor Viol]

There are so many things it could be, from the minor to the not so minor, that it really makes sense to have a professional look at it. It could be anything from tight or inflamed tendons, to joint issues, bone fragment, cartilage etc.

My experience of the NHS for this type of thing is not good as three times I've been told to rest/not do anything and when I've eventually seen a sports physio or similar, they've virtually exploded with wrath... (torn calf muscles in my case).

If you see a sports physio, osteopath etc they will tell you if they think it's beyond what they can do and that it needs looking at by an orthopaedic surgeon or similar. I'm wary of orthotics as I was inappropriately prescribed them, but they may help if you pronate etc.

Ladies' footwear can be an issue - high heels cause all sorts of issues from shortening of the calf muscles to incorrect foot-fall.

It may be nothing more than you're using something much more than it's accustomed to and there's some inflammation, which some stretching - to lengthen muscle fibres and take the strain off the tendons - and ice-packs will address.

At the end of the day - it shouldn't hurt, if it does, get it looked at before it escalates.

[polkadot]

Thank you very much for all your responses. I've taken the overwhelming advice to see my GP and I've booked an appointment for next week.