Swollen, Painful Knee, Taken Anti-inflammatory Medicine, Cortisone, Done MRI, Physical Therapy, Had Arthritis, Meniscus Tear

Posted on Wed, 7 Sep 2011

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

Wed, 7 Sep 2011 Answered on

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 48 yr old female. i twisted my right knee 4 weeks ago . went an orthopaedic specilist who thought for sure i had a meniscus tear. i had an mri and it didnt show a tear. i have some arthritis . he put me on anti inflamitorys and told me to ice it. went back a week later and gave me a cotisone shot didnt help at all. i still have quite abit of pain more on the left side of my right knee to the back of my knee. its like a burning dull pain thats always there. i started physical therapy . the dr told me that if i couldnt stand the therapy to call him and he would go ahead and do arthrosopy. My knee is also still a little swollen. I cant take anymore what should i do?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (33 minutes later)

Hello
Thanks for writing to us.
At your young age, the pain in the knee is more likely to be due to stress or injury related minor capsular inflammation since your MRI report is normal.
The mild inflammation of the knee mostly subsides by taking antiinflammatory agents and mild pain killers like ibuprofen. In some cases for acute problem muscle relaxants like thiocolchicoside are needed after consulting with your orthopaedician.
If still there is no relief then oral steroids and oral lubricating agents like glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin are given. Injections - intra- articular are the last options to be considered if all the above measures fail.
If after taking all these measures swelling is persistent, then going for an arthroscopy as advised by your orthopedician will help.
I hope my answer and recommendations are adequate and helpful. Waiting for your further follow up queries if any.
Regards.

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