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Medical Forum / General / General / April 2004My MRI showed that my kneecaps are not tracking properly.
I had that MRI which was a noisy experience because the machine buzzed and grunted continuously. Anyway, the specialist reported back that my knees are in good condition but that the kneecaps are a bit worn because of faulty tracking. Has anyone here ever heard of such a thing? How can kneecaps wear in normal use and why has this happened only recently? > I had that MRI which was a noisy experience because the machine buzzed and > grunted continuously. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Has anyone here ever heard of such a thing? How can kneecaps wear in normal > use and why has this happened only recently? Well, you get older (you hope to, anyway) and things wear out. That goes even for what is considered "normal use". I presume what is worn is cartilage. As a cyclist, I know lots of folks who have developed chondromalacia patella, which is a degeneration of the cartilage in the knee--this from an activity that is not really weight-bearing. Some eventually have surgery to remove damaged cartilage, but before this many are given knee-strengthening exercises that often can ameliorate the symptoms. Your doctor should be able to give you better guidance on this. You didn't say why you were having the mri. Steve > > I had that MRI which was a noisy experience because the machine buzzed and > > grunted continuously. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > the symptoms. Your doctor should be able to give you better guidance on > this. If you do indeed have chondromalacia patella and are having knee pain, then you need to see an orthopedist to review your options. This is likely to be far more accurate information that you will ever get from anyone on Usenet who has an incomplete history, hasn't reviewd the xrays, and hasn't examines your knees. HMc > > > I had that MRI which was a noisy experience because the machine buzzed > and [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > HMc Agreed. I guess patients get flustered, but wonder if the physician was asked this. Steve -- Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS Brooklyn, NY 718-258-5001 http://www.dentaltwins.com > > I had that MRI which was a noisy experience because the machine buzzed and > > grunted continuously. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Steve Thanks. My left knee was the first to give trouble, and my local doctor had it x-rayed and this showed that everything was normal. He mentioned that there "might be a few scraps of cartilage floating around" and that this might be causing the pain, and he referred me to a physiotherapist which did no good at all. Then this left knee improved a little (possible from accentuating the right one) and then this latter started giving trouble too. It's particually bad when getting up from a sitting or supine position, and also when turning over in bed - when it is very bad indeed. Walking gives no trouble at all, but going up and down stairs does. The specialist surgeon recommended an MRI after a whole lot of negative prodding, pushing and twisting tests while I was lying down. He rang me with the results and said there was no trace of incipient arthritis, which is why he ordered the mri, presumably. And then he booked me it to HIS physiotherapist (tomorrow) and this should be interesting. If it is "degenerated cartilage" can this be induced to re-grow, or at least replaced with teflon or whatever? Stay tuned for the next chapter. >>>I had that MRI which was a noisy experience because the machine buzzed >> [quoted text clipped - 54 lines] > > Stay tuned for the next chapter. Sounds like you're being followed appropriately. I'm a dentist, and not qualified to make medical judgements--only observe what's happened to folks I know. Despite the claims made for chondroitin sulfate, I know of no studies that show that any of these nostrums actually stimulate growth of cartilage. The ability of cartilage to heal is rather limited by its mediocre blood supply. Usually arthroscopic surgery removes torn cartilage and smooths it. For all I know there may be some implantable materials by now (short of a knee replacement) but I know nothing about them. Hopefully some of the smarter folks around here will comment. Good luck, Steve > >>>I had that MRI which was a noisy experience because the machine buzzed > >> [quoted text clipped - 68 lines] > Good luck, > Steve Recently I had a prolonged session with a proththodontist for a complete restoration, which involved a bridge in the lower left quadrant secured with three Ti implants. Three other implants with porcelain crowns and gold interiors replaced three missing teeth elsewhere. Most of the other teeth were given crowns so that now I have a perfect set of teeth and I can grind through the thickest steaks. Also, an orthodontist pulled up and shifted across one of the smaller front teeth so I now have the dentition of a teenager! It all took five years, and this also included sessions with a periodontist who chided me on my hygine and cleaned under all the gums with the effect that all my teeth look shorter and consequently younger. I go for check-ups yearly to all three because I appreciate having all my teeth back again. I mention all this because I hope some like procedure can be done for my knees. > Recently I had a prolonged session with a proththodontist for a complete > restoration, which involved a bridge in the lower left quadrant secured with [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > I mention all this because I hope some like procedure can be done for my > knees. Well, what you're looking to replace is very different, unless you are looking for a total knee replacement. There's nothing that you've told me about your interaction with your physician that sounds wrong to me. If the doctor saw no grossly apparent problems with your knee, it is wise to avoid surgery if at all possible. There has been a considerable crossover in implant technology between orthopedics and dentistry. In fact, one of the bigger orthopedic implant manufacturere (Zimmer) recently bought out the largest dental implant company (Centerpulse). I would listen to the doctor about additional physical therapy if that is the recommendation. Good luck, Steve -- Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS Brooklyn, NY 718-258-5001 http://www.dentaltwins.com > My left knee was the first to give trouble, and my local doctor had it > x-rayed and this showed that everything was normal. He mentioned that there [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Stay tuned for the next chapter. Look forward to it... Same trouble with my right knee, same exam, X-ray only, walkin clinic doctor called it "patellar hypermobility". It also cracks and grinds (from time to time), so I'm waiting (for appointment with) to discuss with my (osteo)arthritis doctor. Meantime first doctor said do side (unbent knee) stretches outward lying down. These temporarily help with the pain lying down but the pain still wakes me up. I meant to ask you. If I lie on my left side, the right knee pains. If I lie on my right side, the right knee does not pain. Similar? And one and two pound weight lower leg lifts, sitting down. (was the other suggestion) and not doing stairs. Walking not beyond the point of pain. Not staying for long periods in the knee bent position. She also said I'm "knock kneed" (knees bend slightly towards each other). No idea if relevant or not to the problem. There's discussions here on knee problems. http://www.podiatry.curtin.edu.au/encyclopedia/kneepain/ So I look forward to your update. J > > My left knee was the first to give trouble, and my local doctor had it > > x-rayed and this showed that everything was normal. He mentioned that there [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > So I look forward to your update. > J Many thanx for the link; i will peruse it carefully and quiz the physio-person with the contents on Wednesday. Come to think of it, I live in a house with several flights of stairs, and work in an old factory with stairs everywhere. I wonder if those weird elastic part-stocking bandages (that some footballers wear) would assist? > Many thanx for the link; i will peruse it carefully and quiz the > physio-person with the contents on Wednesday. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > I wonder if those weird elastic part-stocking bandages (that some > footballers wear) would assist? Hello Peter, I'm just a patient, so I don't really know whether that's a good idea or not. Ask your physio person. Meantime, I'm using what I call "extensor bandages" - I wrap the area above my kneecap and mostly for sleep. They come in different lengths and widths at the drug store or perhaps Walmart. I just started last night, so the "jury's still out" on whether it will help /less pain. I will ask my expert. I see others here http://www.alitons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=A&Category_C ode=Knee but the question would be: if it's muscles, tendons, ligaments, is it better to support them (and they perhaps go "lazy") and better to not support them in daily activities and do the exercises and avoid stairs in the interim or ask your expert on advice on how you should be "taking the stairs". Some people walk up stairs, some people stomp up stairs, (which puts a lot of force on the knees), some people run. Hope to hear your update. J > > Many thanx for the link; i will peruse it carefully and quiz the > > physio-person with the contents on Wednesday. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > I see others here http://www.alitons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=A&Category_C ode=Knee > but the question would be: if it's muscles, tendons, ligaments, is it better to > support them (and they perhaps go "lazy") and better to not support them in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Hope to hear your update. > J I've been to the physiotherapist who gave me the details of the MRI scan of both knees. Everything is OK except for the misalignment of the kneecaps, which have slightly worn down the cartilage at the point of contact. The story is that my 'medialis whatever' muscles have become lazy and must be strengthened with routine exercises. The first of these excercises involves flexing that muscle and no others, which is hard to do, like those 5-finger piano excercises where one finger is held down while the other four play. By the way, I have found it is easier if one descends a flight of stairs backwards. : I had that MRI which was a noisy experience because the machine buzzed and : grunted continuously. : Anyway, the specialist reported back that my knees are in good condition but : that the kneecaps are a bit worn because of faulty tracking. : Has anyone here ever heard of such a thing? Do you think the MD just makes this stuff up? <G> Yup. It's quite common, in fact. It would make sense for poor tracking to aggravate any knee condition. Imagine a train that kept popping off the tracks. Same idea. It happens in, let's say, patellofemoral syndrome (PFS), for example. The best treatment for PFS tends to be strengthening the vastus medialis. Poor joints improve in function and stability (and almost invariably in pain reduction) by strengthening the supporting musculature. Stronger muscles take strain off the joint. IF that is not enough (as in the case of PFS), a surgeon can do a lateral release. No one here can speak to your condition, as you have not identified your diagnosis. : How can kneecaps wear in normal use and why has this happened only : recently? It likely hasn't happened recently. It's only now that you are noticing now causing pain, after years of wear and tear. -- |
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