[28F] Experiencing knee pain after increased physical activity
Patient Description
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Arora's Assessment
What might be happening
Based on the information you've provided, the most likely cause of your knee pain is:
- Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper's Knee): This is an injury to the tendon connecting your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone. The patellar tendon plays a pivotal role in the way you use your leg muscles. In particular, it helps your muscles extend the lower leg so that you can kick a ball, push the pedals on your bicycle, and jump up in the air. Jumper’s knee predominantly occurs in athletes participating in jumping sports such as basketball or volleyball. However, even people who don’t participate in jumping or running sports can get jumper’s knee.
- Treatment typically involves rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Physical therapy exercises can also help strengthen the muscles around your knee and improve your balance.
Please note that this is a likely possibility based on the information you've provided, but other conditions could also cause similar symptoms. It's important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
What you can do
- Rest your knee: Avoid putting too much weight on your knee. If you need to move around, try to avoid jumping or running.
- Ice your knee: Apply a cold pack to your knee for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Nonprescription medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Strengthen your muscles: Once the pain subsides, exercises to strengthen your quadriceps can help improve muscle balance and decrease the risk of future injuries.
What you should look out for
If your pain continues for more than a few days, or if it's accompanied by significant swelling or redness, you should seek medical attention. Also, if you start to experience instability in your knee, difficulty walking, or severe pain, these could be signs of a more serious injury and you should seek medical attention immediately.
Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've provided. It's always important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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9 mo ago