Which health professional should I see for moderate to severe pain behind my right knee

[LimitIsUp]

Super painful in the inner crook of my right knee. It hurts to bend. I can't squat down fully or alternatively bring my foot up sufficiently high (when standing) to pull up my socks - because the pain is a limiting factor. I can walk but if I have been sat for a while I initially have to walk with a straight leg until it loosens up a little. This has been going on for a week. Previously have struggled with tight hamstrings and plantar fasciitis on my right foot.

Have googled - posterior ACL, meniscus tear etc. There is no swelling or heat in my joint.

I am not going to bother with my GP because - well let's face it, don't want to wait two weeks for an initial phone appointment! So am prepared to see a health professional privately initially for diagnosis - what's best? Private GP / physio / ??

Thanks

Physio or a podiatrist

I would go to a physio, I see a sports therapist/physio for random things and he’s sorted me out with either massage, exercises or a combo.
with the previous leg and foot issues, I’d expect my guy to say there’s something going on there with calves or IT band. May need ongoing stretches and exercises.

I was thinking physio would be the most likely route, thank you

Something like you describe - physio would be my first port of call.

If you want a diagnosis, imaging, you need an orthopaedic surgeon. But that could get expensive very quickly; I would start with a private GP visit. It may well wind up with you at a physio, but you won't know if that's the right course of action until a doctor has a look at it.

I'd go to a physio for that.

Physio. I have similar. Physio sent me for an MRI.

Similar symptoms, went to physio who diagnosed. Had private mri as would probably have waited a year for nhs and physio was spot on. Heat treatment, exercises and injection have sorted it.

Could be bursitis (housemaid’s knee). Physio fixed it for me.

NHS GP for a private referral to an orthopaedic surgeon, preferably a knee specialist, they should do an MRI and take it from there.

Don’t waste your money paying for MRIs unless you actually need one, see a physio first, if you need an MRI they will tell you.

My first port of call would be a GP for bloods. Why? Because inflammatory markers are tested for. I would rule out any medical cause first.
If nothing 'wrong', I would go to a bona fide Chinese acupuncturist.
Physio is nothing different to a pilates class.

Could it be an issue with your hamstring? i thought I had a sore back of the knee but turned out i'd pulled my hamstring and then torn it. I saw an osteopath and he was absolutely brilliant

Straight to a physio. I had a similar problem a few months ago. Tendon problem that I ignored resulted in an inflamed meniscus. Physio had me do various movements and identified the problem that first session.

Update - woke up with pain on Saturday which was off the scale. Went to A&E as I couldn't walk. They think it is a torn meniscus and sent me on my way with crutches and codeine. No follow up planned - unless it's not feeling better by 4 weeks

On looking it up a minor tear can heal itself with conservative treatment whereas a severe one needs surgery. Not sure how they can tell which it is without an MRI?

Toying with paying for a private MRI and taking it from there

Does your GP practice have a FCP (first contact practitioner) physio? They will be able to assess and order any necessary scans / tests

Thanks - not sure but I'll ask

I had very similar symptoms and ignored them until the pain became unbearable and the pain spread to both sides of the knees and there was swelling and heat.

Two X-rays and one MRI later, I was diagnosed with stage 4 osteoarthritis and a tear in both meniscus. Now waiting for a total knee replacement in both knees.

It is definitely worth getting the knee checked out thoroughly if you are given the opportunity. I had no inclination that I had so little cartilage left in my knees up until that point.

Hopefully your prognosis will be so much better than mine. All the best.

Thanks @Barnabyted - sorry to hear about your trials and tribulations and I sincerely hope that the knee replacement happens soon

I paid for a private MRI and got results through on 23 December, and have a complete radial root tear of the medial meniscus posteriorly which I believe (from googling) means a fast track to a knee replacement as the joint will deteriorate without shock absorbency. I have booked a GP appointment (not until 9 Jan 🙄) and will ask for a referral to see if it the meniscus can be repaired by arthroscopy. Will consider self funding private treatment if the waits are too long but we don't have private health insurance so that's not my preferred route due to the cost!

Its a total pain because I have a very active 2 year old dog and now struggle to walk her

pm