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Ask an Expert
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
My right knee pops out with every step that I take, and it hurts all the time. It’s been doing this for about two years. I’ve been to a doctor, but was told that nothing is wrong. My knee would not be hurting like this if it was nothing. Help!
This is a very common complaint in my office. The sensation of "popping out of place" or "giving way" can be very frustrating to patients because they really can't seem to trust their knees. Secondary injuries ... continue reading about My right knee pops out with every step that I take, and it hurts all the time. It’s been doing this for about two years. I’ve been to a doctor, but was told that nothing is wrong. My knee would not be hurting like this if it was nothing. Help!
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
My knee pops out consistently when I work out. I’m 19 years old, at a healthy weight and have an active lifestyle. I have quit working out several times due to painful cracks and pops. Is there anything that I can do to prevent this from happening?
A knee that decides to "pop" or make cracking sounds can be quite alarming. I think that all of us at one time or another have kneeled down and had our knees make a loud noise, but no pain occurs. In the majori... continue reading about My knee pops out consistently when I work out. I’m 19 years old, at a healthy weight and have an active lifestyle. I have quit working out several times due to painful cracks and pops. Is there anything that I can do to prevent this from happening?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
What is the RICE method of knee pain treatment?
The "R.I.C.E." method of treating mild sprains and strains in the lower extremities is a common and quite useful way to get back to normal activities.When a knee (or any other joint) becomes injured, there is o... continue reading about What is the RICE method of knee pain treatment?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
Why might I get swelling behind my knee when I run?
Swelling is a common concern when dealing with knee pain and knee injuries. Besides the appearance of a swollen knee, many patients complain of the discomfort and lack of motion that may coincide with the knee ... continue reading about Why might I get swelling behind my knee when I run?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
I've been having problems with my knee hurting when I bend it or straighten it out. What can I do to help the pain, and should I see a doctor?
Thanks for the question! From what you're describing, it seems that your knee hurts with full straightening (extension) and also full bending (flexion). This symptom of pain at the extremes of knee motion can b... continue reading about I've been having problems with my knee hurting when I bend it or straighten it out. What can I do to help the pain, and should I see a doctor?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
My daughter fell hard on her knee playing volleyball. An x-ray showed no fracture of the patella, but it did indicate pre-patellar bursitis. Is there anything she can do to speed up the healing?
This injury described presumably involves the front part of the knee called the pre-patellar bursa. Beneath the skin (and above the bone) the body has a natural cushion called a bursa. These fluid-filled sacs a... continue reading about My daughter fell hard on her knee playing volleyball. An x-ray showed no fracture of the patella, but it did indicate pre-patellar bursitis. Is there anything she can do to speed up the healing?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
I had an X-ray and MRI on my right knee for severe pain. The radiologist said there was an ACL tear, but my doctor attributed it to arthritis. I don't have swelling and the pain is intermittent. If it were arthritis, wouldn't I have other symptoms?
This is a complicated question, so I'll try to break it down into two issues.First, let's talk about the ACL tear diagnosis. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four main stabilizers of the knee.... continue reading about I had an X-ray and MRI on my right knee for severe pain. The radiologist said there was an ACL tear, but my doctor attributed it to arthritis. I don't have swelling and the pain is intermittent. If it were arthritis, wouldn't I have other symptoms?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
My knee popped out of place two weeks ago. I popped it right back, and the swelling and pain have gone away. Is this normal, or does it indicate a problem?
A cracking noise heard with kneeling that is not painful and not associated with swelling can be secondary to soft tissue folds moving over the edges of the knee joint. Most people have experienced this sensati... continue reading about My knee popped out of place two weeks ago. I popped it right back, and the swelling and pain have gone away. Is this normal, or does it indicate a problem?
C. Scott Walthour, M.D.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital
I fell two weeks ago on the sidewalk and hurt the side and top of my knee. It really swelled and was painful to the touch. Now it's much better but it is still sensitive when I kneel on it. Should I continue to give it some time?
Thanks for the great question. It sounds like your fall led to an injury to the front part of the knee around the knee cap. This is common when the fall happens on a flexed knee - lots of pain, but it generally... continue reading about I fell two weeks ago on the sidewalk and hurt the side and top of my knee. It really swelled and was painful to the touch. Now it's much better but it is still sensitive when I kneel on it. Should I continue to give it some time?
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