Left Knee Injury.

**Blurry D** · 05-25-2007, 12:58 AM

Hi all,

I would like to have some insights on what is going on with my left knee.I know i should go see a doc but i am still a student and i cannot afford it just yet.So i want to make sure that go to the doc is really worth my money.I am pretty tight in cash now.

First thing first, my left knee does not hurt when i do a lunge or stretch out when i receive a net shot or a defend a cross court smash.However what disturbs me most is that the is always a "Clack" sound that comes from the top my left knee.Even when i bend my knee while i just bend my knee druing warm up.

It can hurt if i play a very long game of rallies and running around.Even when i jog at times i hear the "clack" sound which is very disturbing to me.I have been having this problem for months and recently it has made me very worried.

It is a joint problem or something else..I have search online for more info but there is nothing that i can seem to know what is really wrong with it..

Please help me out!!

Thank you!!!

**Pete LSD** · 05-25-2007, 01:31 AM

I have left knee problem and I am a right hander.

You should save money to see a sports medicine specialist.

**Blurry D** · 05-25-2007, 01:42 AM

Huh okok!!! is that the best advice

**Pete LSD** · 05-25-2007, 01:56 AM

Yes, knee problem is very tricky to pinpoint the exact cause. So, save enough money and see a specialist as well as a 3T MRI scan. In the meantime, reduce the amount of jumping and running that you do.

May I ask how old you are? Have you been doing lots of jumping and running on hard surface?

Originally Posted by Blurry D

Huh okok!!! is that the best advice

**Blurry D** · 05-25-2007, 02:02 AM

I am 22 and yes i do that a lot. I play badminton 14 hours a week
i do like 30 minutes jog everyday.

I am 6 feet tall....

**Pete LSD** · 05-25-2007, 02:10 AM

Seems like you will head to my path in eight years if you continue to exercise on hard surfaces.

Did you say your knee crepitate when you bend down? For the moment, try eccentric squats with dumbbells and avoid running. For cardio, do StairMaster, elliptical and bikes.

Originally Posted by Blurry D

I am 22 and yes i do that a lot. I play badminton 14 hours a week
i do like 30 minutes jog everyday.

I am 6 feet tall....

**Gollum** · 05-25-2007, 03:01 AM

Joint noises -- cracking, grinding noises -- are known as crepitus.

Crepitus does not always indicate an injury. Some joint noise is normal; the amount may vary between persons.

Sometimes, however, crepitus is a sign of arthritis (joint inflammation).

Crepitus is not normally a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain. If the noises are much louder on one side (such as your left leg), however, that could indicate a muscular imbalance or other problem.

It will be better to consult a doctor, physiotherapist, or sports specialist, who can examine you in person. Can't you at least see a doctor for free?

**manabu** · 05-26-2007, 02:29 AM

visiting docs in AUS is free of charge and also up to 30days in hospital stays too. I would suggest you take a rest (i.e. no jogging etc..) for a week or two before seeing the doc. I have had a knee surgery done to remove the bone debris?? inside my left knee then after a few weeks I began to experience pain on my right knee, I was told that Ive overcompensated it on the other side. Now I have not been jump smashing since, however the problem seemed to have gone... and I have lost alot more games

**Pete LSD** · 05-26-2007, 02:44 AM

Australia actually offers ACI (second generation I think). We don't have ACI in Canada. The most knee sufferers get is microfracture to repair cartilage lesions (defects).

Originally Posted by manabu

visiting docs in AUS is free of charge and also up to 30days in hospital stays too. I would suggest you take a rest (i.e. no jogging etc..) for a week or two before seeing the doc. I have had a knee surgery done to remove the bone debris?? inside my left knee then after a few weeks I began to experience pain on my right knee, I was told that Ive overcompensated it on the other side. Now I have not been jump smashing since, however the problem seemed to have gone... and I have lost alot more games

**Blurry D** · 05-26-2007, 03:40 AM

ACI???

what is that ??

**Pete LSD** · 05-26-2007, 03:53 AM

autologous chondrocyte implantation

Originally Posted by Blurry D

ACI???

what is that ??

**Blurry D** · 05-26-2007, 04:00 AM

hmmm okay thanks !!!

**manabu** · 05-26-2007, 07:59 AM

Pete LSD: The entire thing isn't fully supported by the govt and private health insurance. A MRI scan costs over $200 even with referral from a physio followed by a long wait (public health system), came to a total of $3k+.

I guess the reason that they have the 2nd gen (MACI?) was because of the number of knee related injuries sustained by the many footballers (Aussie football that is..) there.

**Pete LSD** · 05-26-2007, 12:41 PM

At least Aussies have second generation ACI option, us Canadians have to go to the States (first generatinon - Carticel) or Europe (third generation - Condo). Yes, we have cough out USD35,000 minimum and EURO 70,000, respectively.

A MRI scan (what's the field strength?) costing AUD200 is cheap. I had to pay CAD 475 for a 1.2 T extremity MRI scan myself. A 3T scan for the knee is CAD 875. The public system in this part of Canada is very reluctant to put patients through MRI scans, unless our knees buckle and lock up.

Enough rants about the Canadian Medical System, the original poster wants advice about a not so serious knee problem. Once again, he/she should see a specialist first.

Originally Posted by manabu

Pete LSD: The entire thing isn't fully supported by the govt and private health insurance. A MRI scan costs over $200 even with referral from a physio followed by a long wait (public health system), came to a total of $3k+.

I guess the reason that they have the 2nd gen (MACI?) was because of the number of knee related injuries sustained by the many footballers (Aussie football that is..) there.

**Blurry D** · 05-26-2007, 01:42 PM

all well said here.. i shall go and see a doc i am a he btw!!

**sportsdoc** · 05-28-2007, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Blurry D

Hi all,

I would like to have some insights on what is going on with my left knee.I know i should go see a doc but i am still a student and i cannot afford it just yet.So i want to make sure that go to the doc is really worth my money.I am pretty tight in cash now.

First thing first, my left knee does not hurt when i do a lunge or stretch out when i receive a net shot or a defend a cross court smash.However what disturbs me most is that the is always a "Clack" sound that comes from the top my left knee.Even when i bend my knee while i just bend my knee druing warm up.

It can hurt if i play a very long game of rallies and running around.Even when i jog at times i hear the "clack" sound which is very disturbing to me.I have been having this problem for months and recently it has made me very worried.

It is a joint problem or something else..I have search online for more info but there is nothing that i can seem to know what is really wrong with it..

Please help me out!!

Thank you!!!

All you need is a sports doctor or Orhtopaedic surgeon to examine you. If you need an MRI after the examination, plan for it then.