Question: A month ago I woke up with terrible, unbearable pain in my left knee/hip (see my last question). After 2 weeks, the pain began to subside with the application of heat and 3 ibuprofins every few hours.

A few days before the original pain started, I took some glucosamine chondroitin. I suspect that could have contributed in some way by 'lubricating' my joints. It's also possible I slept on the wrong way, as I recall sleeping about 14 hours the night before.

After 2 - 3 weeks, I feel I noticed some slippage in my knee cap, which possibly had been dislocated, and my knee started to feel better. It was still somewhat painful. About a week after that, I felt my hip joint slip into place, which might have also been dislocated.

Now, while the pain has completely subsided, I have residual numbness in my knee and about 6 inches above and below my knee. Is the numbness likely to be dangerous? Is there something I can do to get rid of the numbness?

I have had some weakness. About 2 weeks after the onset of the pain, I tried to walk down the front steps. Despite the fact that I was holding on the railing, I almost fell down the stairs. My left leg was so weak, it was as if I didn't even have a leg. I could not support nor balance myself at all.

I can now go down the stairs if the railing is on the left side. If it is on the right side, I have to turn around and go down backward. It’s much safer that way. To me, this seems to be an improvement in the situation.

I suspect some of the weakness might have been from my left hip. I had 3 hip operations on the right side because the first 2 failed. The lack of support and balance I experienced on my left leg recently were very similar to the ongoing lack of balance I have in my right leg due to the hip surgeries. Thus, I suspect my left hip may have contributed to recent weakness in my left leg. I felt a smooth, dull thud, which shook my skeleton, which I assumed was my left hip going back into the socket. There was some improvement in my strength after that.

Before my hip slipped into place, my knee cap seemed to slip into place, but it was accompanied with a clicking sound – not a smooth thud like my hip. Most of the pain subsided after that.

The initial pain of this whole mess was so bad, I wasn’t sure that it would go away, but it did. I wish I knew what happened, but I was sleeping when the problem developed. I assume the whole problem is getting better overall, but the numbness above and below my knee does worry me.

What kind of complications could develop if the injury is more extensive and I don’t go to the doctor? I don’t have insurance and I am not working. The x-rays, MRIs, tests, referrals, and evaluations will cost many thousands of dollars. Surgery, if needed, will cost many tens of thousands of dollars. It’s simply out of the question. There is no point in getting the tests done that will break me financially for many years if surgery is not remotely possible.

My friend sent me some knee exercises. Do you suggest I do knee exercises now or later?

Should I continue to apply hot or cold compresses at this time?

Thank you.