Excruciating knee pain, unable to move?
My wife did an exercise video last week and slightly hurt her knee. Her knee hurt until the next morning, but after that it went away. Then all of a sudden a week later, she woke up in pain and it just keeps getting worse. Right now she can barely move her leg and any attempt I make to move it makes her scream. It hurts right below the knee cap. The only thing she had done that would could possibly explain this was that she wore shoes that do not have great support. We have a 1 year old daughter and she has been playing on the floor, but that is normal. Looking it up online it looks like it could be Osgood-Shlatter but none of those symptoms include excruciating knee pain with an inability to bend. It looks like it could also be Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. The point is we are currently overseas and the most likely our internet searches will prove of more value than the local doctors. Can anyone think of a better diagnosis to send us in a better direction?
Public Comments
1. It is impossible to determine what she did to the knee without an exam. I can tell you 100% it is not Osgood-Schlatter unless your wife is 17 years old. This condition only exists when the tibial tuberosity growth plate still exists. Any suggestions now as to what she did is pure conjecture. Is the knee swollen, really swollen compared to the other knee. If so she may have torn a ligament, if not then perhaps then a nasty sprain/strain. Rest the knee, ice it for a couple of days and see if the pain begins to subside. If not, it needs to be looked at.2. She could have pulled a muscle, or torn some ligaments. Both a very easy to do, if not doing the exercise correctly.
She should get some pre-wrap & tape. Tape the top of her knee, leave middle open, and tape around bottom. This will give it the support it needs through out the day. Oh & get a icy hot patch and put that on before taping. This will feel really good.
Don't stand/walk for long periods of time, this causes inflammation/swelling/pain to occur.
You should be good to go in about a week!
Hope this helps(:
-Katie
3. Its won't be Osgood Schlatter as this is associated with children and adolescents with growing bones. It could be a patellar tendon rupture that can result in an inability to extend the leg. As the other answerer rightly says it is pointless trying to guess what the problem is. Most diagnoses that fit with excruciating pain and inability to move will require you to see a doctor. Your wife needs medical attention, bring her to a medical centre or hospital.
4. A good guess would be prepatellar bursitis since you mentioned your wife playing on the floor. This injury is caused by kneeling with the knee bent at a certain angle while supporting the weight of the body. This is easily verified by pressing your finger on the spot just below the knee cap - this should cause a very sharp pain.
