Any doctors around? Can you have a look at DH's knee please?

[GlitteryFluff]

DH's knee started hurting a few days ago. No injury to it just started hurting when he moved it. Then over the last few days it's got more and more painful each day, plus hot to the touch.

He went to the doctors yesterday and they prescribed co-codamol, told him to get some ibuprofen and are sending him for blood tests as they think it might be arthritis. (He's only 28 so it's shit if it's that).

Yesterday it was just red on the knee cap but today it's like this. All of his knee is very hot

Is this OK? Or does it need looking at again? I'm worried about the redness spreading / infection.

Obviously it's Friday afternoon plus we go on holiday Monday so need to try to see someone quick if so.

He feels fine other than his knee. Did just take his temp with a known to be unreliable thermometer and it was 38. But as I say it's really not very reliable.

What's your feeling?
Thanks

Not a doctor but my first thought was cellulitus or however it's spelled make him go back to the docs and get it checked again

I’m a doctor. He should go to ED. This could be a septic arthritis which is a serious condition and needs treating quickly .

Maybe the best thing to do would be for him to ring the NHS non emergency line (111?) and go from there. You probably have a minor injuries type place nearby that he can go to later today.

Follow olympics advice.

Thank you all.

The redness spreading is the worry isn't it?

I've let him know what you've said.

He's going to call the doctors as soon as the 5 emergency ones are released - (in 3 minutes) and hopes he can get one of those this afternoon.

Nurse not doctor, get it checked again as sounds like there could be an infection as it's hot to touch. Call 111 they should get you in to urgent care and then they'll direct you to A&E/x-ray/fluid sample etc if needed. It could be bursitis.

Does he have any fever symptoms?

Draw a line around the redness so you can monitor the spreading.

Draw a line on the edge of the redness now and note down time then you'll see how quickly it's spreading when you see a Doctor.

With a fever, I agree with Olympic septic arthritis needs to be excluded today.

Check your temperature with the same thermometer, if it's right for you, you know his is up.

Wow, concerning. Definitely go back.

Thanks again.
He couldn't get one of the emergency appointments at the doctors so he called 111 and went through everything. They've told him to call back at 6.30 as from that time they can refer him to an out of hours doctor. But because it's not out of hours now they can't.

Have you checked his temp again, and checked yours to give you an idea of thermometer is working? Also have you put lines on redness so you can see if it's spreading?

If concerned I wouldn't wait two hours to be able to call 111 again, go to a walk in urgent care or A&E depending on how he's feeling/how it's looking.

Do you have a walk in centre near you? Otherwise A&E. He needs that looking at ASAP.

Sorry, meant to say that I wouldn’t be waiting to call back 111, I’d be going now.

I'd go to A&E op

Yes A&E asap

I'd go to A&E if the red is spreading.

I think go to a&e to get it checked again. Hope it's nothing to worry about !

Thanks. Getting a bit worried now after reading the responses.

He's still ok other than the knee.
He's going to wait til 6.30 and call back. Which seems like the right thing as he's completely fine even though everyone disagrees. He'd probably be waiting in a&e for hours anyway so hopefully it'll be quicker if he gets an out of ours appointment when he calls at 6.30?

The thermometer is just really odd. It's a non-contact one. Earlier when I posted I got 36 something, him 38 and DS 38.2 and he's absolutely fine. I've just done DH again, 36.5 then straight after 37.5 then again 37.5. DS is now 36.5. I don't think it can be trusted. Need a new one.

Going to have a look at it again and compare from earlier pictures and then draw round it.

Honestly .... can’t believe what I am reading. I am a doctor who has done A and E and orthopaedics. This is a grossly swollen knee with significant redness. He needs to be seen as an emergency TONIGHT in a hospital so that they can do a joint aspiration and XRay and exclude septic arthritis which is a serious condition causing rapid permanent joint damage if untreated. Temperature can fluctuate with a septic conditions so do not be reassured if temperature normalises.

Listen to the doctors that have posted and get to a and e - better to wait there

Go to a and e. Possible sepsis. Go now. Like NOW.

Don't mess around waiting for the out of hours, if there's even the slightest chance of sepsis it's an A&E job now.

OP you asked for a doctor's opinion and you've been given one. Please go to A&E. He won't be able to have the investigations he needs at a local clinic.