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Suggest Treatment For Osteoarthritis Under The Right Kneecap

Posted on Thu, 13 Apr 2017

Question: Hello. I have osteoarthritis under my right kneecap, and as a result, my right knee will not straighten. My orthopedist's PA prescribed a brace for me, which I wore 14 to 16 hrs/day for 3 mos. Now, however, my right calf HURTS when I walk and I have had to stop using the brace because I think the brace may have caused it. The brace was designed to reposition my weight towards the inside of my knee where there is more cartilage than the outside (almost none there). Could you tell me why my calf isn't getting any better, despite trying everything, heat, ice, deep relieving gel, vibration, pain meds, etc.? Tramadol does help some, but it can be addicting and I'm concerned about continued use, but am limping severely without it. What do you think I should do?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Could be due to muscle fatigue

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. It is possibly that the brace has been overused, causing the calf muscles to be overstretched thus leading to muscle fatigue and the resultant soreness is what you describe here. You need your calf muscle to rest and hot compress alternating with cold compress should provide relief. I would insist you to try Aleve (naproxen) which should have a good anti-inflammatory effect along with the pain reducing effect.

In the meantime alternatingly flex and extend your ankle joint from time to time.

Give it a few days. It should recover.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (22 hours later)

OK, thank you. I'm already on Naproxen 500 mg 2x/day as well as Tramadol 50 mg 2x/day. I have tried doing stretches, but have to be careful because I have an insertional tendon heel spur in the right heel in the Achilles tendon. Too much stretching could destabilize it as it has in the past. My follow-up question is: Since my right knee will not straighten all the way and has been this way for 10 years, is it possible that the muscle problem in my calf on the same leg could be also due to the shortening or tightening of the tendon? Muscle fatigue sounds like it could be what's happening, but it is SO painful at times and has been going on for several weeks now, and I haven't worn the brace for almost 2 weeks, that there might be another explanation? Also, my gait is off when I walk, and I am under a chiropractor's care for that. Would be interested to know what you think about this. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The shortening needs to be dealt with.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

Your muscles in the right calf HAVE ACTUALLY SHORTENED or tightened and there is no question about that. This will inevitably affect your gait. That is the reason that stretching is important. You need to see a physical therapist would could custom make exercise regimen for you. This is very important. Merely a chiropractor would not be enough in such a case.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (21 hours later)

OK. Thank you very much for your help.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service

Detailed Answer:
Let me know if I could be of further assistance.

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. Prasad