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Could shoulder pain be linked to knee surgery?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 46-year-old man who underwent ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and meniscus surgery six years ago. Lately, I have been experiencing swelling and pain in my knee. Additionally, I have been having shoulder pain, particularly when lifting it upwards.I have had a past surgery on the same knee.

Kindly help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I have reviewed both attachments containing MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of your shoulder and knee. Let us start with the knee. Your history indicates ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction surgery six years ago, and now you are experiencing pain. The MRI suggests ACL graft impingement, which seems unlikely given the timeframe since your surgery. Typically, if impingement were to occur, it would have manifested soon after the operation. Since you were fine in between, impingement seems improbable. The noted changes appear to be degenerative rather than significant.

Answer the following questions:

  1. Could you please mark the exact site of pain on your knee and send a picture to me?

  2. Are you able to squat comfortably and completely?

  3. Do your current symptoms resemble those you had before the surgery six years ago?

  4. Could you provide images of the MRI? I suspect the impingement diagnosis might not be accurately reported.

Regarding your shoulder, the MRI indicates bursitis and a small tear in the supraspinatus muscle. While the tear is minor and unlikely to cause issues, the pain is likely due to the inflammation from bursitis. Can you tell me what medications you are currently taking for this?

Looking forward to your response.

Please revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Hello doctor,

Regarding your questions:

  1. The pain in my knee is localized to the area of the medial cartilage and medial ligament. I will send a picture shortly.

  2. Squatting is difficult for me, it is hardly comfortable or complete.

  3. The symptoms I am experiencing now are different from those before the surgery six years ago.

  4. I have uploaded the MRI images for your review. I also share your concern that impingement might not be accurately reported.

  5. As for medications, I am not currently taking any for my shoulder.

Regarding my recent blood tests:

  1. Vitamin D: 13.5

  2. Uric Acid: 8.5

  3. Cholesterol: 264

  4. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): 104

I was prescribed some medications based on these results but didn't follow through.

Now, for my questions:

  1. What steps should I take regarding treatment and physical therapy for both my knee and shoulder?

  2. How serious is the situation concerning both issues?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

In your shoulder, the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) indicates a supraspinatus tear, a part of the rotator cuff muscle. It seems unlikely to improve without intervention and may require rotator cuff repair. However, I recommend starting with anti-inflammatory medication like Tablet Etoricoxib once daily for six weeks, along with supraspinatus strengthening exercises. If there is no improvement, surgery may be necessary.

Regarding your knee, impingement and a cyst are visible on the MRI, either of which could be causing your pain. I suggest starting the same medication regimen and trying quadriceps and hamstring strengthening exercises for six weeks. There's a good chance of improvement with this approach.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sowmiya D
Published At July 1, 2024
Reviewed At July 1, 2024

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sowmiya is a dedicated Dentist with valuable clinical experience in providing quality oral healthcare. She has sound expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of dental conditions with precision and care. Her areas of expertise include preventive and restorative dentistry, cosmetic dental treatments, and oral hygiene management aimed at maintaining healthy teeth and a confident smile.

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Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Anuj Gupta
Dr. Anuj Gupta

Spine Surgery

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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