Swollen/fluid on knee question

[Shari]

Hi all. I've had one bad knee for years, resulted from twisting it while stepping off a ladder.
Saturday, however, the OTHER knee was bothering me. Not major, just kinda felt pinched, like when you wear really tight jeans and have to bend a lot. Also noticed a couple times thru the day that the foot on the same side was numb. But again, wasn't enough that I really paid attention to it until late in the evening, when I was getting up and down helping difficult child with lego's. So I decided to look at it was HUGE. AS in, couldn't see I had a knee.

I got off of it asap, took advil and iced it repeatedly. It was better yesterday, but I stayed down as much as I could. There is still some fluid on it, tho not nearly as much. It kinda hurts to touch in one spot, and every once in a while I'll bend it just right that really pinches something, but most of the time, it feels ok.

How long should I give it before I see a doctor?

 

[nvts]

Not being an alarmist here, but sometimes the "tender to touch" can indicate gout/phlebitis.

That being said, I had the same problem. I tore the cartiledge in my right knee when I was a kid, but they didn't see the damage. As an adult, my left knee started to swell and I blew out my achilles tendon on the left ankle. When I went to the ortho guy, my soon to be husband pointed out to him that my right leg was about 6 inches thinner than my left. Turned out I was so used to favoring the right that I'd built up the left without knowing it.

Quick surgery on the right and all was right with the world!

Beth

 

[susiequte]

wrap it with an ACE wrap, stay off of it and keep it elevated. If it doesn't go back to normal within a few days or it gets bigger, red or hot, get to the doctor ASAP.

 

[susiestar]

Sounds like good advice. I hope you feel better very soon!

Susie

 

[BusynMember]

I just had a knee problem! I work out a lot and bend my knees when I do. turned out to be a hamstring pull, so I'd go right away. I'm having physical therapy and I can still work out and it's getting better. Since I live in Wisconsin, um, I'm not always in the mood to ICE my knee, lol. I've gotten used to taking a bath (ok, now you will all learn what a perv I am) and stick my sore leg out on the toilet top, which is right by the tub and put a frozen bag of broccoli on that knee...lol. It works and I'm not cold while sitting in a hot bath...lol. Since knee problems can get worse, even if it's not major, I'd have x-rays. I found out I have arthritis in my knees, and that made me saaaaaaaaaad. It was my first "old lady" symptom other than needing glasses...lol. I tend to fight old age. My motto is "I won't go down without a fight!"
Get it seen, but don't get alarmed :wink: