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What Causes Stabbing Pain In Knee Area?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Question: I have a strange pain in my knee that I only feel when I'm kneeling on it. It is sharp/stabbing and (although this may sound strange) it feels like I'm kneeling on something sharp INSIDE my knee and it is working its way out. Nothing shows on my skin (no bumps or redness) and it only hurts if specifically pressed on or knelt on.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can be due to osteoarthritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain on kneeling inside the knee can be due to decrease in joint lubricants and osteoarthritic changes in the knee. These are age related degenerative changes.
The treatment options include pain killers, hot fomentation, lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin , dycerin, etc and some life style modifications and physiotherapy.
Right now you can start taking Tablet Tylenol ( Acetaminophen) Double Strength after breakfast and after dinner. It is suggested to add calcium supplements 500mg each twice daily. This will take care of your mild symptoms in 3-5 days.
You can start with walking and aerobic fitness exercises, quadriceps strengthening, patellar tapping, lateral heel wedges, etc- under the guidance of your physiotherapist.
A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than your knees.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (19 minutes later)
It is a very sharp pain and specific just to the area I'm feeling it. It really feels like there is something under my skin. I do not feel it unless there is pressure on the knee. I walk, and bike regularly and never feel it. It has come on suddenly and does not feel arthritic in nature. It is about about an inch below the knee cap. Perhaps I should have provided more information the first time. Does this description still sound like arthritis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can be an inflamed bursa.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The pain an inch below the knee cap can be due to an inflamed bursa that pains if a pressure is put on it. Taking an anti inflammatory medicine can help you.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)
I just submitted a reply, but it does not appear that it was sent. If this is a duplicate, please forgive the second post.

I'm sorry to keep at this, but this doesn't feel like a bursa issue. I've researched that and found the following:

In general, the affected portion of your knee may feel warm, tender and swollen when you put pressure on it. You may also feel pain when you move or even at rest.

A sharp blow to the knee can cause symptoms to appear rapidly. But most cases of knee bursitis result from repetitive injuries — sustained in jobs that require a lot of kneeling — so symptoms usually begin gradually and may worsen over time.

There is no warmth, tenderness or swelling. The only time I feel pain is when I'm directly kneeling on it in a certain position. The knee is not stiff or achy. When I stop kneeling on it or adjust the kneel the pain goes away. The pain feel similar to if I were to have knelt down on a tack I didn't see. It is specific and sharp. I haven't had a sharp blow to the knee. This did not begin gradually and isn't worsening.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
MRI scan needed for proper diagnosis.

Detailed Answer:
Bursitis can be there without redness and external visible swelling. It is best to get an MRI scan of the knee joint done to find out the proper cause. A direct examination is also necessary to conclude properly. Do consult an orthopedician for a direct examination.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)
I still do not feel like you are listening to me. Can you give some suggestions that are not degenerative in nature? What would an MRI be looking for? This is a sharp quick pain that comes and goes with specific pressure. It feels like there is something sharp in my knee working its way out. When you hear that, what comes to mind as possible causes?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Details below.

Detailed Answer:
If there is no history of a direct injury to the area then only a degenerative change can cause such symptoms.
MRI will look for inflammation, any damaged internal knee joint structures, condition of the ligaments and bursae, any possible stress related tear or a foreign body or a loose piece of bone inside the joint cavity.
The first thing that comes to my mind is bursitis. Other possibility is a small chip of bone or a loose body inside the joint that can be only detected on an MRI scan.
Hope this is helpful.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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What Causes Stabbing Pain In Knee Area?

Brief Answer: Can be due to osteoarthritis. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. The pain on kneeling inside the knee can be due to decrease in joint lubricants and osteoarthritic changes in the knee. These are age related degenerative changes. The treatment options include pain killers, hot fomentation, lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin , dycerin, etc and some life style modifications and physiotherapy. Right now you can start taking Tablet Tylenol ( Acetaminophen) Double Strength after breakfast and after dinner. It is suggested to add calcium supplements 500mg each twice daily. This will take care of your mild symptoms in 3-5 days. You can start with walking and aerobic fitness exercises, quadriceps strengthening, patellar tapping, lateral heel wedges, etc- under the guidance of your physiotherapist. A Big No to Stair case, squatting postures, any chair which has a sitting platform lower than your knees. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal