Sore knee - any point seeing GP?

[WouldBeGood]

So, I’m 52 and pretty active, though quite fat. I do weight training or a class every weekday, and walk a reasonable amount.

For the past couple of months I’ve had a weird tight feeling in my knee when I bend it, or sometimes when walking. It doesn’t appear to be exacerbated by exercise, at least not so far, but is painful especially at night.

I’m assuming it’s probably arthritis or old age, combined with excess weight. Today I’m wondering if I should see a GP or if it’s pointless, given the palaver it is to see one? Any advice? Anyone else had this?

Really don’t want to stop exercise as I need it for physical and mental health.

Can you self refer to NHS physiotherapy in your area?

Thanks, I’m not sure- do you think that physio would be a better course of action?

@WouldBeGood

Thanks, I’m not sure- do you think that physio would be a better course of action?

It's a good start and probably what the GP will say first anyway, so if you can, start there.

GP will only tell you to take painkillers, loose weight, and go see a physio. They are generally not great with orthopaedic issues. You might as well go to the physio yourself and cut out the middle man. You will have to go privately as NHS wait lists for physios are months at the moment. You should be able to see one privately within a couple of weeks.

Thanks , I’ve taken a look and can indeed self refer. I’m glad I asked.

I’ll think about going private. I am exercising, go to pt, and am losing weight so should all help.

If you can afford it I’d go to a private sports physio. GP will probably tell you to rest and take ibuprofen.

Thanks, it’s good to know I don’t need to run the gamut of the GP appointment police. 😃

I’ve self referred to physio and will keep exercising and dieting. Will find out cost of private physios: there is one at my gym I think.

Private physio at about £40 for an initial consultation will really help. If you can’t afford follow ups tell them and at that first app they should give you the right exercises etc to do yourself.

Thanks @museumum

IME GP will refer you to physio (if you don't have self refer in your area) who will, after several months wait for an appointment, give you a leaflet of exercises to do at home that you could have googled.

If you are able, I'd go straight to a private physio or, even better, osteopath. Mine charges £50 and seems to be able to sort out most problems with just a few tweaks. I rarely need more than one appointment.

On the one occasion I did have something more serious (I run about 60m a week, so I do get injuries) he was able to tell me what to tell the GP to get me the treatment I needed.

Thanks @PackedintheUK. I guess I’m
Fortunate in that despite being old and fat I’m rarely injured so it’s great to get advice from people who know what they’re talking about!

60k a week is impressive!

Just to say thanks for the advice to self refer @RedCarsGoFaster, I’d never have thought of that and they just rang to offer me an initial phone assessment on Monday!

I'm roughly in your situation but a good year on. Definitely exercise and diet, but also keep in mind there may be inflammation so definitely seek out treatment - you want to avoid cartilage getting degraded any further. I'm based in Germany so went straight to an orthopedic doctor who besides referring to physio had me complete an ultrasound voltaren treatment - very helpful with symptoms.

I second the idea of an osteopath. It could be something to do with you being out of line somewhere like your back or hips, and that is putting extra strain on that joint.

Do you wear any support on your knee ?

Also, ask whether it could be a miniscus tear. I've had a painful knee for three years, and x-ray showed no arthritis. I went to physio, but the exercises didn't help and have finally been referred to a knee clinic. Waiting for an MRI appointment, and might need arthroscopy, or a partial knee replacement. Don't wait as long as I did to get a diagnosis - it's really painful now for me, especially going up and down stairs.

Thanks, I’ll ask about these things. I googled the meniscus tear thing - sounds bad @drum123, glad you’re finally it seen to

Its worth going to your gp, but be prepared to have to push every step of the way. I had to push to get an MRI, then saw a specialist physio, then eventually saw a consultant.
I also saw a private physio at the same time, she gave me exercises to do.

I do also have a meniscus tear but was told by the consultant that the arthroscopic surgery wouldn't do any good in my case .
To be fair my knee rarely plays up now, despite the mri showing moderate arthritis and the tear. But I can't run at all, and I can feel it if I do a lot of walking (eg walking most of the day).

Thanks @Monolithiquex that sounds stressful. I’ll see what the physio says on Monday and then think.

Bit down about it now

pain at rest points to inflamnation.
try elevation and heat or cold.

great that you will see a physio, ime they can identify if the pain is muscular/skeletal and can advise accordingly.

It is sore at rest, and if I straighten it

And feels like I’ve got loads of elastic bands in it, like the inside of a golf ball, when I bend it 🤷🏻‍♀️

Hi OP,
I have similar sounding knee pain from time to time.

I take Omega 3 tablets from Holland and Barrett in a red bottle. Usually clears it up in about 4 days.

Might be worth a try?

Thanks @nowtygaffer, yes, I’ve been taking that for a while. Was hoping it would just go away

When my Son ruptured his crucial ligament we first saw our GP who examined his knee and immediately referred him. Our local private orthopaedic consultants regularly hold seminars for GPs to know how to examine patients.