Are ultrasounds or MRIs better for diagnosing knee pain?
I just want a diagnosis.
I've been having knee pain. It feels like ripping under the knee cap sometimes. It just always hurts.
It doesn't get better when I do nothing and just rest.
I've seen 2 doctors already.
One said I could do an MRI, but that will lead to surgery and I'll have less function (he sounded very discouraging of it).
He said it might be tendon or muscle. He didn't think it was Lyme (who knows...).
His only advice was to not straighten my leg!
That's all. OK, how is that suppose to help me heal???
I got a 2nd opinion. This doc said I looked knob knee in that one knee. It looked mechanical, maybe the patella?? (not sure of the spelling).
I got an X-ray, something called Muncie exercises and I'm scheduled for an ultrasound in a couple weeks.
Any advice on diagnosing this?
Should I get a 3rd opinion?
Posted by LilaLee* (Member # 43649) on :
How long have you had it? I've had/currently have Lyme Arthritis; before the antibiotic treatment i had really bad (like excruciating) pain that moved from place to place (and all on one side).
At one point it was in my knee, i had an MRI that didn't show anything wrong (which i couldn't believe given the pain) and i had it for about 2 months before it stopped (yup, just stopped) and began in my hip. Also incredible pain.
Nobody at that time thought about it being Lyme. It's only been hindsight that has made it clear that that's what it was.
Posted by Rodeodancer (Member # 47623) on :
I just recently had an MRI for my hamstring as it's been really tight and sore preventing me from walking at times. Not a thing showed up on the MRI report. So I'm guessing these types of problems can certainly be caused by lyme and co.
Most people say the MRI is the best image you can get.
Prior to having lyme I had both an MRI and Ultrasound a week apart for a knee problem and they both picked up different things.
You do need to protect your joint and tendons but I would think you still also need to keep moving and lightly exercise within pain levels. I'm not a doctor but to stop straightening your knee sounds like a bad idea.
Are you seeing a sports medicine or orthopaedic doctor for this?
[ 05-10-2016, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: Rodeodancer ]
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Rodeodancer - Thanks for you input! I saw two different PCPs for it.
Were the results accurate for the MRI and Ultrasound, just different problems?
LilaLee - It's been really bad for about a month. I agree it could be Lyme, or not. I just need to get the right diagnosis.
Posted by Rodeodancer (Member # 47623) on :
The MRI report was more detailed and indicated a lot more such as a cartilage tear, and knee cap tracking problem. The Ultrasound focused more on tendons and ligaments. I'm sure the mri would see ligament and tendon problems, although for some reason it was not mentioned on my MRI report.
Neither report seemed to fully capture the entire picture, but the MRI did capture a lot more. That was my experience between the two
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Rodeodancer - Thank you. That was very helpful.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Judie,
While you go for the best image you can get to see structural detail, if you do an MRI, be sure to call ahead and make sure they have the special MRI decibel rated ear muffs - no metal parts. Some, not all MRI departments have them.
IMO, ear plugs may not be enough. It's good that your head won't be in it but if you are on the same floor as an MRI machine, you'll also want the muffs.
You can buy your own, too, just be sure they are certified both for decibel ratings (dB) and for MRI use.
I hope you find the detail you need. I also wonder if a change in your footwear might be of help? New orthotics, etc.?
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
quote:Originally posted by Judie: I've been having knee pain. It feels like ripping under the knee cap sometimes. It just always hurts.
It doesn't get better when I do nothing and just rest.
He said it might be tendon or muscle.
How much is all this costing you? Since you're not getting much help from your docs, may I suggest that you try PEMF.
My story: My right knee hurt, a lot, all the time. I already had chronic migraine and chronic fatigue, and I didn't have the energy or the money to go to lots of appointments for doctors, xrays, physical therapy.
I bought a SOTA Magnetic Pulser, which uses PEMF, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. I did a couple of 20 minute treatments each day for the first week or two, and then I began to forget to do them, as my knee felt better.
It's been a long time, maybe ten years now, and my knee never developed that kind of pain again.
At one point, I could feel something (tendons?) beginning to slip in my left knee, and after one treatment I had definite improvement. Everything tightened up again, and the knee was fine.
Later I used PEMF to relax muscle spasms in my back, my esophagus...relief was almost immediate. I used it for sore throat, toothache, nausea, abdominal pain, kidney pain, anything that hurt.
Electromagnetic energy affects the electrical charges on the cell walls, so that oxygen and nutrients can enter and waste products can leave. With the improved circulation, the cells function much better, inflammation goes down, muscles in spasm relax, pain stops.
SOTA.com sells the Magnetic Pulser. I've seen another home therapy unit, the Actipatch, which uses a small battery and is weaker, but can be taped to the skin and worn around the house.
The professional PEMF models are pretty expensive, so physical therapy offices that have them will charge accordingly.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Carol - I totally agree. Running around to these doctors is just draining me.
I already go to a pain management clinic and I'm already doing laser treatment which helps healing and pain.
It's not helping the knee.
I hope insurance is paying.
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
I just went through a MRI on my knee. Had xrays before that which only show bone. My dr. said he needed to see 'soft tissue' that doesn't show on xrays.
Pain in my knee, on the inside lower corner of knee. Two and a half years of pain in one spot. Went through the chicken cartiledge shots and still pain.
Glad I had the MRI as it shows a rip/tear in my mesial medial meniscus. I will have arthoscopic surgery for it next week.
I thought too, that maybe this was my lyme arthritis but it never moved around to some other joint. Just stayed in the knee! Horrible at night and pain at all times. Yes, arthritis is in the knee but not bone on bone yet. Hoping this will give me a few good years or more of an active lifestyle.
I had no issues with the MRI except that my body vibrated throughout the who ordeal. I asked the radiologist tech if that was a normal thing and she said she had never been told of that experience. It was weird how my body buzzed the whole time it was doing my knee. I have tingling in my legs and feet always, but this was an intensified feeling. It left when I got out, and I didn't herx as I thought I might from it.
Posted by Rodeodancer (Member # 47623) on :
hadlyme,
Good luck with your surgery.
My meniscus was indicated as a grade 2 on the MRI report. I didn't feel much pain at the time (one year ago) but pain has progressively gotten worse especially with the muscle atrophy I'm experiencing.
Keep us updated on you progress.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
I'm seeing a sports medicine doctor this week for another opinion.
I'm hopeful that I'll finally get to the bottom of this.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
I just saw the sports medicine doctor. What a great doc!
He fully examined the knee. It looks like a tendon issue. I'm getting an MRI.
It's probably continued damage from levaquin.
Posted by Rodeodancer (Member # 47623) on :
Judie, I'm glad to hear that you are getting some answers. I too have knee tendon pain. My pain is caused by tendonitis.
My sports med told me to ride the stationary bike with zero resistance to get the blood moving to the tendon to help promote healing of the micro tears.
Incline squats are suppose to be good for strengthening the tendon, isometric exercises to strengthen surrounding leg muscles and glutes.
You can also wear a knee band that puts pressure on the tendon to relieve pain. But the idea of adding pressure to the tendon freaks me out so I stopped using it.
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
Good news Judie, Glad they are doing a MRI. It will show things more detail.
Hope it's all fixable!
I'll try and do an update on my arthoscopy surgery. I was given the example of a torn meniscus as feeling like a hang nail in your knee, always catching and pulling. And that's exactly the feeling I've had for over two years. Can't wait for that to be gone!
Best wishes Judie!
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Judie, how are things going with your knee?
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks for checking on me. I feel so alone with these problems sometimes. It's good to know people care.
Unfortunately, the sports doc was an idiot with his treatment plan. He's known for steroid shots and even told me he didn't believe I could be as sick as I am and the other doctors (Lyme doctors) are messing with my mind. Sigh...
One the plus side, I did get an MRI. Two of them.
Basically, there are no shock absorbers in my knee anymore. The tendon is injured, pulling on the bone strangely, causing soft tissue damage and the cartilage has worn away.
My ankle is even worse. I've been walking around on a sprain and fracture for who knows how long (got an MRI on that too). There are a ton of cysts too and degeneration.
We build up such a pain tolerance from Lyme, I've just been walking around with this damage for quite awhile.
I have to travel 2 hours to see and ankle specialist. No one to drive me and it's my right ankle that's the worst. I'm doing the drive anyway.
Wish me luck!
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Would you consider PEMF? The SOTA Magnetic Pulser is great for joint problems.
I have no financial stake in this company. If you can get PEMF at your physical therapist, that would be great. The machines a professional would have would be maybe ten times as strong as the home therapy unit, but also cost ten times as much.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)