Suggest Treatment For Severe Persistent Knee Pain

Posted on Mon, 24 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 24 Oct 2016 Answered on

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 39 years old Male. From last 1 week I feel I am felling bit pain on my knee cap sometimes. I observe it when I carry my 2 year old daughter upstairs.
I am not very sure it's pain or some kind of pressure on my knee cap.
Can you suggest something ?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM

I have gone through your query. If you provide some more information then it will be more helpful.
Do you have pain behind the patella?
Is there any grinding or cracking sensation while walking , climbing stairs or while patella is pressed against knee?
Or the pain is superficial?
Is the pain just above or just below patella area?

If it is superficial pain then it can be tendonitis. If above or below patella then it can be bursitis. In these cases applying ice packs and taking NSAIDs like Ibuprofen will be helpful. You can apply ice packs on and off for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. This can be repeated 3 to 4 times daily. Ibuprofen you can take 400mg twice daily for 3 to 5 days after food. If there is bowel irritation while taking Ibuprofen then you can take ranitidine (Zantac) 150mg twice daily also.
If there is grinding sensation or cracking then it can be due to cartilage damage under patella (knee cap). In that case also you can follow the above measures. Wearing knee race straps while you are doing physical activity is also good. You can also do Knee cap exercises , stretches and quadriceps strengthening exercises.
If there is no improvement or worsening then consult an orthopedician and have a X ray to know the exact status.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (25 hours later)

it's pain behind patella. there is no grinding or crack sensation while walking, climbing stairs or while patella is pressed against knee.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely due to irritation in cartilage.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up query.

Your problem can be most likely due to irritation in cartilage of patello femoral joint (joint under knee cap). You can do ice pack application and take NSAIDs like I mentioned earlier. Taking rest from hard physical activity for 1 week is also advised. You can also wear knee race straps while doing physical activity after this time. If there is no improvement after 2 to 3 weeks then better to consult an orthopedician and have X ray of knee joint in sky line project to know the exact status.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (40 minutes later)

In my regular life I am not doing much physical activity. Can it be because of low calcium levels. why I am asking is because its bit strange that I am not doing much physical activity nor I was hit at those areas. What caused it to suddenly appear. Only thing I missed to tell you is I am taking levipil 500 and zeptol 300 regularly, don't know if it can cause this side effect.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These drugs have some efects on calcium and vitamin D3.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up query.

The drugs levipil and zeptol has some effects on calcium and vitamin D3. Studies have shown that level of vitamin D3 is lower in those who are taking these.
Low vitamin D3 can cause decrease in calcium and can cause problems like joint damage. It is better to check your blood levels of vitamin D3 and calcium levels. If it is low then taking vitamin D3 and calcium supplements will be helpful.
Vitamin D3 can be taken 8000IU weekly once and calcium supplements 1000 to 1500mg daily in such case.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (13 minutes later)

If my levels are lower can I assume that these pains are because of this only. Also if you can suggest supplements for vitamin D3 and Calcium with dosage. Thanks!!

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
If then low then it can be most likely from that.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up query.

If your vitamin D levels are low then your problem can be most likely from this. Lack of exercises to the quadriceps , hamstring muscles of leg and using improper foot wear also can be the reason.
So if your vitamin D is low then you can take vitamin D3 8000IU soft gels capsules once weekly. This is available in brands like wal d3 8k, uprise d3 8k etc. Calcium tablets you can take 500 mg twice daily. This is available in brands like encalvit.
You should also do muscle strengthening exercises for legs.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar