Need my Knee

March 14, 2016 2:47 PM

I know, YANAD, but I'm wondering if this knee thing is worth a doctor visit, or if a brace is enough -- and suggestions on what brace to use.

We're moving and have to be out by the end of the month. Wifey and I are in the 40+ age bracket, and we started packing weeks ago, taking it easy to avoid over-exertion.

As we're packing and moving boxes around, I'm experiencing a little pain in my right knee, only on stairs. Walking, getting up from sitting position, kneeling, etc. : no pain at all, regardless of how much weight I'm carrying. The pain starts out completely absent, and slowly grows.

I don't let it get too bad before I take a break, and eventually stop stairs altogether to avoid causing a big problem. Even if my knee was hurting while on stairs, it disappears when I'm walking normally. If I don't do any heavy stairs and sleep, the pain goes away overnight and I can do stairs for a couple hours the next day before the pain returns. There's no swelling or 'heat', it's just my normal leg aside from the sporadic pain on stairs.

We've got to move -- I can't *not* lift or carry at this time. But, if I mess up my knee, then I can't carry anything, and I don't want that either.

Is this a point where an over-the-counter knee brace of some type would be able to keep things moving without further damage, or does even slight knee pain warrant a doctor visit? If a brace will work for me, what kind would be best?

posted by AzraelBrown to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

Best answer: As someone who has had knee surgery, I'd have to say you have to see a knee doctor if you have insurance. Anyone who's ever had knee surgery will tell you you'll never be 100% the same after that, even if you're fully functional. Get it looked at, and take what the Dr. has to say seriously.
posted by Calloused_Foot at 3:04 PM on March 14, 2016

Best answer: You are probably going to want to visit a doctor to discuss this. I have knee problems, and based on doctors visits and physical therapy, I can tell you there are different kinds of knee pain and injuries, and we can't really tell you what's going on. For example, my doctors have recommended me these Bauerfeind braces for my ankle and knee. But - if you look at the knee section there - you basically need to know what kind of brace to get, and what is causing your pain. There are several options. This is the kind of stuff a doctor will work out with you, and I wouldn't recommend just guessing here. Those braces are amazing, but my physical therapist did measurements on me and told me exactly which one to get, you know?

If your knee pain gets worse with use, it's time to ask a doctor for some help so that you don't make it even worse.
posted by FireFountain at 4:29 PM on March 14, 2016

Best answer: I was having knee pain going upstairs a while back and did a search on you tube that brought up a video by a physical therapist. He suggested leaning forward going up stairs, instead of standing straight up which really helped me. I just tried to find it again but no luck.

There was another video which said standing straight up was easier on your knees so maybe try both and see if there's a difference. Here's another video you might watch and see if it helps you.

Climbing Stairs Pain Free
posted by stray thoughts at 5:16 PM on March 14, 2016

Best answer: I've had this happen on and off since I was 16, and I'm 67 now, and it's always been relieved by wearing an ace bandage on the knee for a few days. Worst case, a little icing and Advil. Also , the stretch where you are standing up, bend your knee, grab your ankle with the opposite hand and pull up for 30 seconds or so.
posted by beagle at 5:40 PM on March 14, 2016

Best answer: Unless something seemed sprained or broken, my first port of call would be a physical therapist for the symptoms you describe. A good pt can identify if this is something reasonably simple (jumpers knee) or something which really requires a doctor. I would certainly get it looked at by *somebody* and not risk it getting worse.

FYI, I've had a variety of knee problems over the years (runner and hiker) and I note that nobody has ever recommended a brace to me for anything except skiing. The fear was that it would mask an incipient injury and make matters much worse-- also, braces weaken the muscles which support your knee.

Also, please be very careful with knee pain on the stairs! If the pain increases suddenly while you are on the stairs and/or carrying boxes, you could take a nasty fall.
posted by frumiousb at 6:15 PM on March 14, 2016