Sharp pains in previously broken knee, with swelling

[OrlandaFuriosa]

ok, about five years ago I broke my knee, the plateau and breaks down the leg. I still have about sux pins in it. It hurts, especially when i haven't been doing my exercises.

It got worse recently, was beginning to let me dowmpn, then suddenly three days ago I got two very sharp pains simultaneously but in different places, just below the kneecap, and the leg ballooned. Quite unlike the normal aches. Hot, red, swollen. Very painful to move. Sends shooting pains.

If I keep it up, with ice packs and constant ibuprofen it comes down a bit and is manageable. If I don't, it takes its revenge. . But I have no fever. Just a hideous leg.

Can I assume it will get better by itself or do I have to go to see a Dr ? Would a nurse do as well? How urgent might it be?

Well it doesn't sound good does it ?

I just don't understand posts like this! Why didn't you make a gp appt yesterday?! it clearly needs looking at, sooner rather than later.

I'd see a physio asap. I have similar pins and plates and often have flare ups of pain and need new exercises or acupuncture . Definitely get it seen.

You need to see a doctor not a physio.

A physio will tell you to go to the GP if necessary.

Yes but it'll take 6-8 weeks to see a physio.

You self refer where I live for nhs physio but I actually meant going private I should've been clearer.

I would see your GP as soon as possible, i have a plate and pins in my femur and a couple of years after the original operation my thigh started swelling and became painful. It ended up being a gram negative staph infection that was incapsulated so I was a symptomatic until that point.

Thanks.

The reason that I didn't make a dr's appointment immediately is that it's painful a lot of the time, much of which i ascribe to muscle stress, not infection or another nasty.

And another day of ibuprofen and ice packs and a stick to walk with have reduced the inflammation and pain a bit.

So I wondered whether people had experience if this.

That said, I shall make an appointment on Monday.

I hope it soon feels better.

I had this a few years after I had broken my leg. GP prescribed mega-strength anti-inflammatories and told me to keep taking them for a month, regardless of symptoms. But first she made sure that I hadn't had a further injury. So yes - you need a GP.

Ereni, thanks, really helpful. Will ring Dr tomorrow. If I don't move, with ibuprofen and icepacks it's mainly ok, but not convinced it will get better on its own, darned thing, v boring.

Thanks, Footle.

I developed post traumatic arthritis inside the knee joint after an accident that involved a knee dislocation and knee fracture.

I think you should see your GP and get referred to a specialist

Will report back once have hobbled out of Dr tomorrow. Darn thing means my ankle has now gone dodgy.

Yes, do. Good luck.

Good luck.

Good luck

Reporting back...

Dr sent me straight to x Ray, no bones or pins out of place as far as they can see. He thinks it's the two menismi, is saying ibuprofen and paracetamol and er...so about to see what Dr Google says about menismi and eg exercises. Lower leg still red and swollen and I nearly punched him twice and let out a most undignified squawk.

Hey ho. Atm am thinking fondly about amputation and pimping my resultant scooter in pink and silver, with silver tinsel at Xmas, pink eggs at Easter...

Menismi? Menisci, presumably..

So is that the plan ? Googling exercises ? No chance of physio ?

Do you mean you nearly punched the radiographer, or Dr Google?

nearly punched my Dr!

I think he's going to order another scan, prob mri this time, and then it will be a question of surgery or not. And yes Physio. In due course. When we know what the problem is.

But in the meantime, icepacks, ibu + para.and no idea what the physical regime should be.

Boring and not entirely satisfactory.