Can knee numbness and aches mean an injury in a 22-year-old?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 22-year-old cross-country runner with no known prior knee injuries. Recently, I developed sudden pain in my knee, specifically around the bottom and sides. It began swelling, and I later felt a "pop" in the knee followed by sharp pain. Since then, my knee has felt unstable at times when walking. It hurts when I bend it too much, walk, sit, or even lie down, unless it is properly elevated. Pressing on the bottom of my knee is also painful.

I saw a doctor who diagnosed inflamed tendons and prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, but the pain and swelling have worsened. I now experience occasional numbness, tingling, and a sensation that my patella is shifting. The knee also feels weak and unstable.

What could be causing these symptoms?
Should I seek further evaluation, such as imaging or a referral to a specialist?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

Based on the symptoms you have described, especially the popping sensation, swelling, instability, and pain around the bottom and sides of your knee, you are likely dealing with either a meniscal tear or a cartilage injury behind the kneecap (possibly due to patellar subluxation).

To get a clearer picture of what is going on, we need to do the following:

Imaging:

X-rays of both knees:
1. AP (front view).
2. Lateral (side view).
3. Skyline (also called Merchant view – this looks at the kneecap specifically).
MRI of the affected knee: Plain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) including Proton Density (PD) sequences, which are important for evaluating soft tissues like the meniscus and cartilage.

Until the swelling and pain settle, avoid the following activities:

Squatting.
Kneeling.
Twisting or pivoting motions.
Running or jogging.
Sports or any high-impact activity.
Dancing or high-intensity aerobics.

Rehabilitation: Once your symptoms improve, we will introduce a structured rehab program. Key focus areas will be

Regaining range of motion.
Strengthening your quadriceps (crucial for patellar stability).
Stretching and core strengthening, especially around your lower back and abdomen, to help support knee mechanics.

Please do not start exercises until your pain reduces; pushing through pain could make things worse.

Medication (if you are not allergic and do not have asthma):

Ibuprofen 400 mg – Take one tablet twice daily after food for 10 days.
Pantoprazole 40 mg – One tablet twice daily before food for 10 days (to protect your stomach).
Shelcal 500 mg (Calcium supplement) – One tablet once daily before food for 30 days.
D-Shine 60,000 IU (Vitamin D) – Once daily for 10 days, then once monthly for 11 months.

Next steps:

Please go ahead and get the X-rays and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) as outlined above.
Start the medications if appropriate.
Avoid the restricted activities.
Follow up with your reports so we can decide on the best course of action.

Likely diagnoses (to be confirmed with imaging):

Meniscal injury.
Patellar subluxation.
Cartilage damage behind the knee.

I hope this answers your query.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.