I'm in Japan for a couple of years and about two months ago I played a game of volleyball. The next day my knee was very swollen and tender. That was about two months ago. I live on a small island so have to bike and walk to get around. My knee is still sore and often swells up after a day of getting around. I have read my English medical book and it talks of draining the fluid, injecting hydrocotisone or removing the bursa. I would like to know any alternatives or at least what I might expect from the doctor. Communicating is not always easy so it is either a) better not to go or b) at least be forewarned. I know accupuncture is available here but other 'alternatives' I'm not so sure. I hope you can help.
The knee was badly injured in a skiing accident with ligament damage about 20 years ago but nothing like this swelling and pain has happened since then. I also , about a week ago , had a very intense pain going from my knee to my foot and when the instep just in front of the heel was touched it was extremely painful.
Thanks in advance for any help.
In Reply to: bursitis posted by Annie McCreary on June 06, 1998 at 02:54:03:
Dear Annie,
This is a re-injury likely related to insufficient rehabilitation from the first injury. It got just good enough that you had no more symptoms & someone decided to skimp on the rehab. Even though it took 20 years for a re-injury, any competent osteopath would see the connection.
If you look at the muscular attachments to the bones of your knees (especially the ones that go to your foot, you will see the exact muscle that is relating the pain to your arch. The muscle that attaches exactly there is the one that is in spasm from whatever is going on in your knee.
You DO need a good diagnosis since that will determine exactly the rehab you will need. This time, be SURE that you do a longer rehab than recommended rather than just until the symptoms are gone.
Aspirating the knee and injecting cortisone will likely help your symptoms but will actually retard healing (read up on the effects of local cortisone therapy).
In the meantime, the less you use it the better. Once the exact diagnosis is made, any expert can tell you which exercies helps & which causes more damage. In general, anything that hurts is bad at this point.
Once you know the exact diagnosis, write again. Depending on the diagnosis, I may have helpful alternatives for you to add to your rehabilitation.
Do not put off the diagnostic procedure. I would accept no treatment until the diagnosis is firm.
Walt