Knee question. PLEASE HELP!

[Morgan McPherson]

My wife banged her knee four years ago and has had swelling and pain problems ever since. Her knee swells up after exercise and also swells up after a hot bath. Her current doctor believes that it has something to do with leg length discrepancy, that was never noticed before. Her knee does not track over her foot and tends to cave in towards the middle when she is squating or standing. She was totally mobile before this accident and totally active, but it has left her pretty wrecked.

She has seen several doctors and none of them can agree or find a solution to get her back on her feet. She has been prescribed orthotics by her most recent doctor. They appear to have fixed the leg length discrepancy. She no longer experiences pain while she is wearing the orthotics, however her knee still appears to have problems tracking. And recently she has been experiencing back pain due to the lift in the orthotics throwing off her back. Her main weakness is the inner thigh where the muscles meet the knee.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! I have some ideas but would love to hear from some people who can either relate to this problem or have had knee injuries. If you have had knee problems please help. I posted this in the powerlifting section because this is the only area where I post, and because I am sure there are some people on here who have an idea. Thanks Again!

[Clifford Gillmore]

I've worn orthotics for over ten years, from about 7-18. Mine were for flat feet, and if I didn't wear them my knees would be in ALOT of pain. The best thing I can recommend is going to sports physiotherapist, a good one that can recommend exercises pertinent you your wifes case. I'm sure if you post your location someone here can direct you to a good one in your area.

[Beverly McD.]

She might try wrapping her knees, even on very light weight, just to give her some stability.
Have her flex her toes back toward her ankles and wrap the knee with it in that position. Sometimes people tend to point their toes to wrap, but you don't do legwork with pointed toes.

[dgunnermuro]

Where exactly does it hurt? Describe "banged it" and the resulting injury? Was there a fracture? What helped reduce pain? Did it get better on its own? Did she ever have xrays or an MRI imaging study done? Do both knees look the same or does one appear different than the other? Did one of her docs indicate an instability issue (blown ACL or PCL)? Was there an injury to the knee prior to the accident?

I'm intrigued by the swelling at the knee still occurring 4 years later, if that's accurate. These are things you need to talk with a orthopedic specialist about. Someone with a D.O. after their name.

[Polish Hammer]

Does she have flat feet?Could be bursitis.The "Banging" may not have anything to do with it.

[DrDudley-Robey]

Get her MD to send her to PT to strengthen up the area and teach her how to walk using the new stride the orthotics give her. Ask him also about NSAIDS to deal with the pain and swelling during this process