Hurt knee help 3 days before a trip

[RoxMonster]

We're leaving for a national parks trip on Wed. that will involve a lot of hiking. I have no idea what I did but yesterday afternoon, my left knee started hurting. The place it hurts is like near the middle of the knee going down vertically. It hurts when I bend or clench it and when I walk. It also feels kind of tight when I'm walking and my leg is straightened out.

H doesn't think a walk-in clinic will be able to do anything about it and that I should just do Advil and ice it. I'm fine with that, but I also want to make sure I can hike on this trip. A PCP isn't an option; I am getting established with a new one and I can't get in until after my trip.

Do you think there's any benefit to going to an urgent care? It is not swollen. I can move it. It just hurts.

Do you think I should try to rest it and stay off it or use it? I can ice it as well.

I am honestly just mostly worried about being able to hike on this trip lol. Right now, I can walk; it does hurt a little. But my concern is, I don't want to start hiking the first few days, overdo it, and then I can't do anything the last part of the trip.

[statgirl]

I tend to be a wait it out person so that colors my response. Unless it’s a specialized urgent care, they probably won’t be able to do much. However, if they can give you better pain killers or some sort of anti-inflammatory, then it might be worth it.

[VillainV]

An urgent care might be able to X-ray it, but that’s about it. I’d recommend ice and Motrin, and maybe buy a knee brace from CVS or Walmart to wear on your trip, then see how it feels when you get back.

[RoxMonster]

Thanks! A knee brace might be a good idea .

[huskymom]

Our local orthopedic office has an urgent care for weekends/evenings…anything like that?

[gummybear]

Def echo everyone else. I’d brace it up, take Advil or Aleve prophylactically, and ice it down every evening.

I don’t think there’s any benefit to seeing Dr now. You can go down that path when you return. Likely it’ll be X-ray, mri, and prob PT.

[SusanBAnthony]

We have orthopedic urgent cares. If you have one, I'd go.

[momof2]

I am shocked by the folks that think you should do nothing, but maybe that is my privilege showing because I live in an area with lots of medical choices.
If you can, I would absolutely go to an orthopedic urgent care, and if not that, a regular urgent care. They can help sort out what is wrong and possibly prescribe pain meds to help you. I am assuming this is pretty darn painful or you wouldn’t be posting.

[isabel]

I would see if it’s possible to get in with an orthopedist, but would not bother with urgent care or a GP. Worst case scenario, I’d do as suggested - get a good brace, ice it everyday, and take ibuprofen for swelling and pain.

[gummybear]

Jul 11, 2021 9:49:43 GMT -5 momof2 said:

I am shocked by the folks that think you should do nothing, but maybe that is my privilege showing because I live in an area with lots of medical choices.
If you can, I would absolutely go to an orthopedic urgent care, and if not that, a regular urgent care. They can help sort out what is wrong and possibly prescribe pain meds to help you. I am assuming this is pretty darn painful or you wouldn’t be posting.

I am def not in the camp if “do nothing” under normal circumstances - but my opinion is based solely on the fact that she’s leaving Wednesday. In my experience dealing with these types of injuries it’s never, ever a quick diagnosis or fix. Usually it involves a lot of testing and diagnostic imaging and the solution is usually rest, ice, compression and PT. I do agree that she might be able to get some medication, but short of it being a break identifiable by X-ray, I’d think she’d be waiting anyway. I do agree with you under every day scenarios though

[keh2oblue]

I had this exact thing happen before our recent trip to DC and NYC. I didn’t go to a doctor, but only because it had happened before and the the doctor told me to rest it. If it was the first time, I probably would go to the doctor even if it was just for some pain meds in case of emergency. Also, definitely get a good knee brace and don’t overdo it.

[minzy]

This was me a couple of weeks ago, down to the new knee pain and wanting to hike in multiple National Parks. A knee brace helped some. I tried limiting walking up steps and keeping it elevated when we had downtime, but I otherwise hiked on it, drove on it, and just kind of sucked it up. Of course, I’ve been back a week and my knee still feels messed up, but I’m taking it kind of easy now. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and hope you still have a great trip!

[steamboat185]

Jul 11, 2021 9:49:43 GMT -5 momof2 said:

I am shocked by the folks that think you should do nothing, but maybe that is my privilege showing because I live in an area with lots of medical choices.
If you can, I would absolutely go to an orthopedic urgent care, and if not that, a regular urgent care. They can help sort out what is wrong and possibly prescribe pain meds to help you. I am assuming this is pretty darn painful or you wouldn’t be posting.

What pain meds do you think they can give out? Generally it’s just 800mg ibuprofen. Other than saying rest and ice (neither of which is helpful when wanting to hike) they can’t do a whole lot to make the knee less sore.

I’d just try hiking and maybe aim for 3-4 miles a day vs 7-10 (or whatever the plan was).

[sunshineluv]

I would get checked out before the trip. The hiking may exacerbate the injury and knowing how to care for it can be helpful.

[momof2]

Jul 11, 2021 10:30:55 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

Jul 11, 2021 9:49:43 GMT -5 momof2 said:

I am shocked by the folks that think you should do nothing, but maybe that is my privilege showing because I live in an area with lots of medical choices.
If you can, I would absolutely go to an orthopedic urgent care, and if not that, a regular urgent care. They can help sort out what is wrong and possibly prescribe pain meds to help you. I am assuming this is pretty darn painful or you wouldn’t be posting.

What pain meds do you think they can give out? Generally it’s just 800mg ibuprofen. Other than saying rest and ice (neither of which is helpful when wanting to hike) they can’t do a whole lot to make the knee less sore.

I’d just try hiking and maybe aim for 3-4 miles a day vs 7-10 (or whatever the plan was).

Maybe it is because of my arthritis (see the other thread) but when I have had knee issues that took me to urgent care — I have been given things like etodolac, tramadol, etc.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jul 11, 2021 10:35:10 GMT -5 momof2 said:

Jul 11, 2021 10:30:55 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

What pain meds do you think they can give out? Generally it’s just 800mg ibuprofen. Other than saying rest and ice (neither of which is helpful when wanting to hike) they can’t do a whole lot to make the knee less sore.

I’d just try hiking and maybe aim for 3-4 miles a day vs 7-10 (or whatever the plan was).

Maybe it is because of my arthritis (see the other thread) but when I have had knee issues that took me to urgent care — I have been given things like etodolac, tramadol, etc.

Here you have to be dying before anyone prescribes opioid pain meds.

[momof2]

Jul 11, 2021 10:37:45 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Jul 11, 2021 10:35:10 GMT -5 momof2 said:

Maybe it is because of my arthritis (see the other thread) but when I have had knee issues that took me to urgent care — I have been given things like etodolac, tramadol, etc.

Here you have to be dying before anyone prescribes opioid pain meds.

Etodolac and Nabumetone— which are things I’ve been given — are not opioids. They are NSAIDs, but they seem to work a lot better (for me) than taking ibuprofen.

[steamboat185]

Jul 11, 2021 10:35:10 GMT -5 momof2 said:

Jul 11, 2021 10:30:55 GMT -5 steamboat185 said:

What pain meds do you think they can give out? Generally it’s just 800mg ibuprofen. Other than saying rest and ice (neither of which is helpful when wanting to hike) they can’t do a whole lot to make the knee less sore.

I’d just try hiking and maybe aim for 3-4 miles a day vs 7-10 (or whatever the plan was).

Maybe it is because of my arthritis (see the other thread) but when I have had knee issues that took me to urgent care — I have been given things like etodolac, tramadol, etc.

I think so. I’ve had knee issues for years and in the olden days they used to offer Percocet, which is obviously not awesome. Now it’s anti inflammatory meds. I’d rather not pay 300 dollars for some ibuprofen.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jul 11, 2021 10:40:36 GMT -5 momof2 said:

Jul 11, 2021 10:37:45 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Here you have to be dying before anyone prescribes opioid pain meds.

Etodolac and Nabumetone— which are things I’ve been given — are not opioids. They are NSAIDs, but they seem to work a lot better (for me) than taking ibuprofen.

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic though.

[RoxMonster]

I took Advil this morning after posting here and have no pain currently. I would not classify the pain as severe but just definitely there.

We don’t have any orthopedic urgent cares here just regular walk in/minute clinics. I know some have X Rays because when I dropped something heavy on my toe a few years back, I went to one after work and got an X Ray. But I definitely don’t think anything is broken. After the Advil, my pain is gone; it just feels a bit tight.

Thank you for all the advice. Since it seems to be ok with Advil, I’ll probably rest it (no hikes at home the next couple days) and ice it and use Advil on the trip if it does flare up. If it is still bugging me when we return I’ll go in. We weren’t planning on any huge treks, just day hikes of 3-5 miles but definitely elevation gain. I do use trekking poles which help alleviate pressure on knees.

[boiler717]

I’d recommend getting some Voltaren gel OTC, scheduled ibuprofen for a few days, and rest/ice.

[orangello]

It sounds like what my ortho calls runner’s knee; I was having this in my right knee when I was being seen for a torn meniscus in my left knee. As far as I know, not much to do for it but RICE, and the suggestion of a knee brace was a good one.

R- rest; I- ice; C- compression; E- elevation

[momof2]

Jul 11, 2021 10:46:39 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Jul 11, 2021 10:40:36 GMT -5 momof2 said:

Etodolac and Nabumetone— which are things I’ve been given — are not opioids. They are NSAIDs, but they seem to work a lot better (for me) than taking ibuprofen.

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic though.

Correct

[momof2]

Jul 11, 2021 11:03:23 GMT -5 boiler717 said:

I’d recommend getting some Voltaren gel OTC, scheduled ibuprofen for a few days, and rest/ice.

I forgot about this being OTC now. This is also one of the things I’ve been prescribed and I highly recommend it as well since you no longer need a prescription.

[RoxMonster]

Thanks! I will get some of that gel.

[rubytue]

This thread (and the arthritis one) convinced me to make an appointment to see someone about my hip pain. I had chalked it up to “nothing to be done, so why take an appointment slot.” But maybe…

[snipsnsnails]

Yep, RICE before your trip. Get a brace to take with you. I prefer a wrap-around for side and patellar support, and pack some OTC anti-inflammatory meds to bring with you.

[stemmie]

I tend to be a wait-it-out person, it's what I did when I blew out my knee, but ahead of a hiking vacation I might get it checked at an orthopedic urgent care if one is available. You'd probably get x-rays to R?O something that could worsen, a prescription NSAID (I got Naproxen) and a properly fitted knee brace potentially covered by insurance. Mine had metal supports, BTH while it addressed instability it didn't help pain. I found a compression brace better for that.

I might also have a plan B should hiking turn out to make things worse or if the pain is such you can't enjoy it. Maybe bring some books or investigate other non-walking activities.

[mcsangel2]

Please get a knee brace. Not the sleeve kind, this kind:

www.amazon.com/dp/B01ANSJCR0/?coliid=I1BMR362IPYRYP&colid=1Q33R0DYX3B40&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Or KT Tape, you cross it in an x just underneath the kneecap. But a brace would be better, for hiking.

[wambam]

I’m sorry this is such shitty timing! When my neck has gone out, I’ve gone to urgent care for a muscle relaxer and a RX strength NSAID.