My leg

[TristaC]

Okay. Purely legit medical question here. What is wrong with my knee/leg???

Last Friday, I woke up and there was an almost tugging sensation in the back of my knee. It progressively got worse through the day where it felt like someone was stabbing at it or stretching a ligament or tendon in my knee. My anatomy teacher and school nurse though it was because I strained something in my leg and walking it out would help it. It didn’t.

The next day, Saturday, I had PT with my Petty Officers from 1000 to about 1230. We RAN. We did bleachers twice and jogged a ¼ of a mile doing cadence. We also did lines on the football field and sprints. NOT good. My knee hurt soo bad I almost couldn’t walk. Sunday I felt nothing because the greater pain was my quads. And therefore couldn’t feel my knee.

But yesterday something changed. I have my knee wrapped with a regular 3 in. ACE bandage wrap. I was re-wrapping it when I noticed my left calf muscle was SWOLLEN. I told my teacher from last year and asked what was wrong; she said I may have pulled something in my leg. My anatomy teacher said the same thing.

I don’t want to have to tell my parents I have to go to the doctor unless I really have to. That’s why I am asking you all on this site to help me. You are all the experts who have gone through your training in med school in the armed forces. I trust you all. Help me out.

Thank you very much.
TristaC

[8404]

Last Friday, I woke up and there was an almost tugging sensation in the back of my knee. It progressively got worse through the day where it felt like someone was stabbing at it or stretching a ligament or tendon in my knee. My anatomy teacher and school nurse though it was because I strained something in my leg and walking it out would help it. It didn’t.

The next day, Saturday, I had PT with my Petty Officers from ...

http://www.kingdomeducation.com/images/stop-sign.jpg Never PT if you have some sort of unidentifiable pain, especially if it has progressively gotten worse!

Did this trouble come on after a previous PT session? If so, it's an indicator you are training too hard!

We RAN. We did bleachers twice and jogged a ¼ of a mile doing cadence. We also did lines on the football field and sprints. NOT good. My knee hurt soo bad I almost couldn’t walk.

You should have gone to the doctor and had it checked!

I don’t want to have to tell my parents I have to go to the doctor unless I really have to.

You really have to go to the doctor! Else, you could cause additional damage (possibly more serious) by not seeking medical attention.

I told my teacher from last year and asked what was wrong; she said I may have pulled something in my leg. My anatomy teacher said the same thing.

It's nice to bounce stuff off of a teacher or a school nurse, however they are never meant to be an alternative source for obtaining medical treatment!

That’s why I am asking you all on this site to help me. You are all the experts who have gone through your training in med school in the armed forces. I trust you all.

While it is possible you may have pulled, strained or even torn a ligament or muscle, without proper tests and an examination by a doctor, one can only speculate.

Best advice:


tell your parents
go to a doctor
notify your Recruiter(s)

[TristaC]

No it didn't start after previous PT. And my teachers are a registered nurse and anesthetist...

[indy]

ok, here's my opinion:

DISCLAIMER: 1) I am not a licensed doctor & 2) this advice should not be used as a substitute for a licensed doctor.

From the sounds of it, I think you may have iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome or achilles tendonitis.

The ITB is a large tendon that runs from the pelvis down the outside of your leg, over the outside of the knee and attaches to the outside of the upper tibia. Sometimes, the repetitive motion of knee bending can cause the tendon to rub on the outside of the knee joint causing pain and inflammation. Typically the onset of symptoms with ITB syndrome are slow, so that's why you may not have noticed it before. Also the surface that you run on may have something to do with it - is this the first time that you've run on the football field?

As for fixing it, scale back your training until you can exercise without pain. You can also apply ice three times a day for 20 min each time, as well as over the counter stuff for pain (ibuprofen for swelling/pain etc). I would recommend you start an ITB strengthening and flexibility program ensuring that you warm up and stretch adequately before any exercise session.

Also it's possible that you may have pulled/strained part of your Achilles tendon, which has similar results in that it may cause inflammation and pain. Again, reduce your activity level, apply ice for the the first 48-72 hours as above, then after 72 hours switch to heat. As above, focus on a strengthening and flexibility program designed for the achilles.

Please remember that these are my opinions only, and that I strongly recommend you see a doctor for definitive care.

I can however advise on strength, flexibility and conditioning programs if you are interested.

EDIT: You need to notfiy your recruiter, and your parents, as 8404 mentioned - if the problem gets worse, and you don't say anything, it can grow into a huge problem....

[TristaC]

See, I don’t have any pain anywhere where the actual Illiotibial fibers are. It’s mainly in my knee area, which would be part of it. But if I had an inflammation of my Illiotibial fibers wouldn’t I feel the pain throughout my thigh???

As for the thought of the Achilles tendonitis, I have no pain whatsoever in my calves. It would be only the swelling. I feel no pain anywhere near my Achilles tendon….

I apologize for the contradictions. I know you are all trying to help me out, but I’m thinking like the doctor/nurse I want to be…I’m very well educated on the human body and such…………….

[Da-Chief]

But here is the "KEY"...

Your not a Doctor or a Nurse..

So go see one.. we don't have a magic mirror here..

This thread is closed for your own good.

D/C