Author Topic: Rear Knee Pain  (Read 2608 times)

PaddleCrazy

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Rear Knee Pain
« on: February 03, 2012, 08:07:41 AM »
OK, another question from the newbie....

After moving down to a "smaller" (9'6") board, I'm now beginning to experience some low-grade pain to my rear knee during and after my SUSing sessions.  Originally it stopped hurting a couple hours or so after the session, but now I'm starting to feel it a couple days later.

I know that it may be hard to "diagnose" over the Internet without seeing my "style" (if you can call it that  :D), but do others feel any discomfort, or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

PonoBill

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Re: Rear Knee Pain
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2012, 08:35:35 AM »
I doubt my experience is relevant since I know the source of my pain, but my doctor says the challenges I'm having now with my knee have to do more with weakness than with injury. I'm doing some focused exercise to increase the strength and hopefully my flexibility and stability.
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PaddleCrazy

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Re: Rear Knee Pain
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2012, 09:19:28 AM »
Thanks Bill,

Guess I should have said that it just happens to be a knee that was surgically repaired almost 20 years ago now (torn ACL).  

I also hate to go to the docs or hospitals, as I'm always afraid they're just gonna tell me to stop what I'm doing and "rest it".  

Rest it?  Obviously they've never SUSed before or they'd never recommend such nonsense!!   ;) ;D

Just curious, what "focused exercise" are you doing to strengthen your knee?  Don't need the "flexibility".....

Unfortunately, my knee is too "loose" and "flexible" already from the previous injury/surgery.  Guess they didn't pull the "string" tight enough.   :-\  ;D


balance_fit

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Re: Rear Knee Pain
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2012, 11:12:42 AM »
Paddle Crazy

Since you had your ACL repaired almost 20 yrs ago, there's some things you need to consider about your knee pain. The grafting techniques of then are not the ones used now. Even so, a surgically repaired knee mechanism will never be the same as the original.

You need to reevaluate your knee clinically and find the cause for the pain as PB says.

To avoid the dreaded 'resting' recommendation, a sports medicine specialist in knees is necessary. Even then, 2nd opinions are always a good idea.

Try not to fish for general recommendations around. Many possible reasons can cause a posterior knee pain. If your knee is "loose and flexible" as you say, this could mean many things, your repaired ACL has weakened or your PCL is in bad shape, or your hamstrings are lax, or your meniscus are bad, or you have a Baker's cyst, arthritis, etc.

When correctly evaluated and diagnosed, your clinician will show you how to manage the knee to continue your SUS.

Be well
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PaddleCrazy

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Re: Rear Knee Pain
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2012, 11:40:31 AM »
"balance",

Thanks for the recommendations, even though I don't like the prospects, I know that you and Bill are 100% correct.

Don't know if I'm still "fishing" here, but it's on the medial aspect of the knee and not posterior.  They did find a torn meniscus during my surgery that I was unaware of (ok, undiagnosed, as I did have knee pain prior to the ACL tear), that they "cleaned up" and it did solve those pain issues.

The reason I say "loose and flexible" is that being it was a work related injury, here in CA they send you to a medical "referee" if you will, who rates the injury post recovery, for a "permanent disability" and settlement.  

I was given a 15% disability, due to the fact that after kneeling for any length of time, when I try to stand, the knee pops and cracks.....and it takes a step or two before I'm able to stand/walk on it "normally".  Was told it was just something that I will "just have to live with".   :(

I just thought that because of where the pain is felt, that it was from possibly twisting or turning the knee when I'm trying to move the board around, and that if that is the wrong technique, how to change it or do it correctly.

Thanks for the advice though, and I will have it checked out.....if it persists. ;) ;D  I'm a "woose" when it comes to doctors.   :-[ :D

« Last Edit: February 03, 2012, 11:52:27 AM by PaddleCrazy »

balance_fit

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Re: Rear Knee Pain
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2012, 01:02:54 PM »
Paddle Crazy

You're welcome ! I feel we all shy away from MD's.

The torn meniscus you mention might have had a relationship with the ACL tear. That the surgeon "cleaned up" the area means that loose fragments were removed but the meniscus is not intact, nor does it heal with time.
Seems from your pain site (medial) that the meniscus is to blame and the symptoms of popping, cracking and locking too.
Kneeling and twisting will place extra stress on it, and surfing requires such movements on the knee. Flat or overly flexible arches that allow your feet to point out when deep squatting may add stress on the meniscus. 

A temporary way of alleviating pain could be wearing an open patella soft brace with flexible sidebars. This shouldn't be used to buy extra time from seeing a knee sports medicine specialist. It will allow you to surf with less pain if the meniscus is really the issue and until it is taken care of. Possibly, in the last 20 years after the ACL surgery, you have additional loose fragments that can easily be removed with artroscopy and a minimal lay off. See your doctor !

As a general recommendation in the meantime, be sure to warm up throughly before going in the water by mimicking the lunges, squats and bends you'll need to use while surfing. After session, be sure to ice the area throughly.

If the area looks swollen, the knee locks when bent or straight and takes extra effort to unlock, plus more pain, you got red flags...

Good luck and be well
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Bark Commander 12' x 20" 
Walden Magic 10'
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bootesta

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Re: Rear Knee Pain
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2012, 02:55:28 AM »
Hey PaddleCrazy, 

I have had the same surgery (ACL reconstruction and meniscectomy).  The portion of meniscus that was torn and likely removed during your surgery created a portion of the joint space which is"exposed" and without meniscal protection.  Without the meniscus in this portion of the joint, the articular cartilage surrounding the medial femoral condyle may be wearing down.  This is known as osteoarthritis and can cause pain as the lesion progresses.  NSAIDs, like ibuprophen, can help control pain. 

This being said, you will want to rule out other causes for the pain as the others on the zone have recommended. The use of NSAIDs may mask a more serious issue. 

Hope all works out well for ya  :)

Lori
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Tecpartner

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Re: Rear Knee Pain
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2012, 06:15:25 AM »
From my experience, I have learned that a consultation with an MD, and a good sports medicine doctor, coupled with a really good physical therapist, is a beneficial combination.  I have had MDs recommend surgery, and then a sports medicine doc resolve my pain issues with physical therapy.

I respect MDs more than I can convey here.  But for these aches and pains a DO or other musculoskeletal specialist has really valuable insights.

And as in all professions, there are good ones, and less good ones.  I prefer the doctors with lot's of experience and common sense. (And a boat they ALREADY own.)

 


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