Burning Knee Pain

Yep, Add me to the list. 34F playing "Puppy" with my 18month old ( I was the puppy) Knelt down on the hardwood floor only to discover a pain I've never flet before. YOWCH! Cannot kneel on the Right knee or put any pressure on it at all. BURNS like hell! Also feels like there is a knot or something on the cap? Hope I'm not out of commission too long..

Hello All, I read all of your posts regarding anteriolateral sharp burning knee pain. I am a 52yo physician who also began to experience recently exact same symptoms described and have a few more observations regarding condition. I have noticed the development of this problem with long periods of sitting seeing patients. Along with this burning knee condition I have been havin sore quads with soreness of anterior thighs. I believe both of these have developed from sitting for long periods. I believe deep massage of anterior thighs would be helpful and stretcing of quads, calves and ham strings. Also not sitting for long stretches. I have experienced nerve damage from another knee injury due to a fall several years ago. It presented similarly with a burning numb sensation which over a period of time did get better so be patient and try stretching of muscles that are connected to this area to return to state of homiostasis.

I am 43 and had the same symptoms as everyone else (burning when under pressure, numb, right-knee)... I was very much relieved to find this info on this forum. I think one of the original posters indicated that his/her doctor said that it would heal by itself over several months with a little TLC.

Well, I am here to report that it seems to have healed exactly as described. After reading that original post I told my kids that 'Dad' needed a little break from the usual kind of play that I was involved in (usually involving wrestling, tickling, etc.) but that I'd be OK in a few months. I started giving TLC to my knee back in May 2008 and by June I'd say that 90% of my pain was gone but I still had a little numbness --- and now in late July I seem to be 99% better. I can kneel without any discomfort at all. I still have just a teeny bit of numbness -- but it seems to be getting progressively better.

About a month ago I've developed a bit of pain in my left heel when my foot us under pressure and fully flexed 'up'. It feels a little like the pain in my knee when it was hurting. I wonder if it's something similar? I wonder if there is a 'heel' forum somewhere? :^)

I have a similar problem.

When I kneel down on my left knee, it get a sharp pain that instantly spreads through my knee and stops me from walking for a few minutes, then it's fine and I can continue as normal.

Apart from kneeling or putting pressure on the top of my knee with my hand there's no other pain whatsoever.

The difference here is that I'm only 22.

I am a 62 year old female with burning knee pain. I press below the left knee cap and there is a sharp burning sensation on the outside of my knee cap. I went to my physical therapist and I'm happy to report that within a month, the pain has resolved about 75%. Here is what we did:

1. Release of the nerve that exits midway down the thigh and goes back in at the knee (forgot the name, sorry). This included laying on my back and swinging my left leg over the edge of the PT table while the PT gripped my thigh muscle. This is extremely painful, but the pain from the grip does reduce as the muscle and nerve release. this was done all up and down the thigh until pain was minimal. Upon finishing this, the burning sensation in the knee was greatly reduced, even while kneeling on a hard surface.

2. Laser of the affected area

3. Exercises that focus on stretching top of thigh and inside of thigh.

As we all know, there are many causes for this problem, so this method may not work for everyone. That's my disclaimer and I'm sticking to it!

Yes this is quite a common malady, I have been experiencing it as well. It feels like a rug burn running along the outside top edge of the kneecap. It gets me when I kneel down on the floor, including carpeted floor, like the pressure sets it off. It also comes on wearing blue jeans that press or stretch against that area, for example when I get into the car and the knee is tight against the jeans. I figured it is some kind of damaged nerve which is how a previous poster was diagnosed by a doctor. Probably pressing on that nerve the wrong way, even once, does the damage and it takes quite a while to heal. Unless some pressure is applied as I described there is no pain whatsoever. Anyway good luck to all my fellow knee-nerve sufferers!

Kathy, were you directed not to kneel on it until it had healed? Or to maintain normal activity and ignore the pain?

In any case, here is my scenario:
- Male, 58, reasonably fit but not overly active (some biking and bowflex, lots of running through airports)
- The initial injury (if there was one) probably occurred last summer while putting in a new sprinkler line next to the concrete driveway.
- The symptom is a burning sensation on the outside of the right knee and below the level of the kneecap, extending well down the outside of the calf.
- The skin in the affected area near the knee is also somewhat numb at all times; this does not extend doen the calf.
- Only the right knee is affected. The pain occurs only when kneeling on a hard surface with the knee bent more than 90 degrees.

Often this occurs when cleaning the pool skimmer, painting baseboards, refinishing floors, etc. I can avoid it if I'm careful (or I could use it as an excuse to get out of some of these projects!).

If Kathy's doctor is correct (at least if my condition is the same), this should have cleared up by Xmas, but it did not. In fact it has worsened, especially in the past few weeks.

Finally, I did really whack my right shin on a step stool about 2 months ago. That was about 4" below the knee however, and on the inside of the shin. The entire shin was painful and sensitive for several weeks, to the point where soft fleece, sheets and towels caused discomfort. There was also a prominent bump that has now almost completely disappeared.

So I'm assuming that was a bone bruise, and since the recent increase in the burning kneee pain did not occur until the bruise had largely healed, that they are unrelated.

So, it does sound like a nerve problem, but is it necessarily an injury? I have also had problems with pain and numbness in the right thumb and index finger, and wearing a splint for months had little or no effect on that. What else could account for these symptoms when taken together?

Kathy, were you advised not to kneel on it until it had healed?

In any case, here is my scenario:
- male age 58, fit but not real active (some biking and bowflex, plenty of running thru airports).
- initial injury probably occurred while putting in a sprinkler line next to the concrete driveway last summer, but was only moderately bothersome at the time. Only the right knee was affected.
- I now get severe burning pain below and to the outside of that knee when kneeling on a hard surface, and only when the knee is bent more than 90 degrees. Typically this happens when cleaning the pool skimmer, painting baseboards, refinishing floors, etc.
- If I'm careful, I can avoid kneeling in a way that induces the pain. (Or, I could use it as an excuse to get out of these projects!)
- There is a slight numbness in the skin in the affected area at all times.
- I cannot reproduce the pain by any manipulation of the kneecap, calf muscle, etc., except by kneeling on it.

If Kathy's doctor is correct (or at least if my condition is the same), it should have cleared up by Xmas, but it did not, and has in fact worsened since the first of the year, especially in that past few weeks.

Possibly related is the fact that I really whacked my right shin on a folding stool about two months ago. This was about 4" below the knee, however, and on the inside of the shin. The entire area was painful and sensitive for about a month, to the point that soft fleece, sheets and towels caused discomfort. There was also a prominent bump which has now almost disappeared. My assumption here was a bone bruise, and had it not cleared up I would have sought attention for it.

I doubt that is related, though, as the most recent increase in the pain did not begin until after that bruise had largely healed.

So, it does sound like a nerve problem. But is it necessarily an injury? Are there other conditions that could account for it? I have had other similar issues, especially in the right wrist, thumb and index finger for which I wore a splint for months, to little effect.

.

Thank you, Kathy! I just found this forum looking for answer, and there you were. Hope we're all pain free soon! I'm 58 and fit and not so puzzled anymore!

I am so glad I came across this forum. The problem I am having sounds just like the others described here. I can run, jump, bend my knee and do just about anything else except kneel on it. When I kneel down and touch it to the floor or to any other surface it feels like the skin below my knee is going to rip off. It burns so bad that I can't stand the pain. It's the weirdest thing I have ever experienced. Everything else with the knee is fine. I am pretty sure now (thanks to Kathy's post) that I must have damaged the nerves of the knee while laying our hardwood floors, because ever since then I have experienced this problem.

Thanks Kathy!

I have been reading all the postings on this knee problem. I thought that I must be going crazy because I researched all over the web trying to find an answer to why the side of my knee felt like it was being ripped open by putting pressure on a little area on the front of my knee only to find nothing. I am relieved to find that I am not alone and that it will possibly heal on its own. So many of my well meaning friends suggested that I would probably need surgery to fix it ( a prospect that does not excite me in the least ). Thank you Kathy E. for your post. I am a 49 year old grandma that is having a tough time playing with my 1 year old grandbabies because of this stupid knee. It is nice to get some hope that it will go away on its own.

Thank you so much Kathy E.!!!

I was amazed... I've had the exact same symptoms as all of you. I couldn't believe how similar we all are. I am a 42 year old male, normal level of activity, and intense pain on the right side of my right knee when I kneel accompanied by mild numbness to the skin. It started a few weeks ago as a minor twinge, but now is burning hot and completely intolerable. I have not had time to see my doctor about it, and was a little afraid to do so. I kept hoping that it would get better on it's on. But I am now greatly relieved to hear your doctor's report. I am sure I have the exact same thing as you do. I am still going to visit my Dr and see if she has any recommendations for vitamins/minerals that may help. Thanks again!

You can add another one to the list. I am 42 years old, and very fit. I run or ride daily and just finished with my cyclocross racing season. The pain started about a month ago and was not associated with any type of injury that I can recall. As a veterinarian, I spend a lot of time kneeling on the floor during exams.
I would describe it as a burning pain across the surface of my right knee below the patella to the inside of the tendon. It seems to be isolated to the skin. If I pinch up the skin over the patellar tendon, the pain seems to be located in the pinched up tissue, not with the tendon below. It doesn't hurt when I run or ride, but it burns like crazy if I kneel on it, bend the knee deeply or sometimes just brush over the skin.
I'm debating whether I should see a neurologist or an orthopedist. It certainly feels more like nerve pain.

Hi.

Again, can't believe no one has reported back to this site with some kind of answer regarding this "weird" knee thing. I will though....I see a doctor about this on Friday.

Symtoms are pretty much the same as all of yours.....I'm a 42 year old female....play a lot of tennis...but this injury is not from tennis or running around (go figure)!!! It was a 1 time deal.....kneeling on my knees on cement with all of my weight on them and felt a burning on the outside of my right knee. Well, it's been there ever since....I believe it was over 3 months or so ago....hasn't gotten any better. Doesn't bug me when I run or walk...(thank goodness)...just, like all of you, when I pull my knee up to put my socks on.....or squat down the wrong way....burns like heck!!! But the weirdest thing, as mentioned above, is if I rub the front of my knee, the side of my knee responds. What the heck did we do to our poor knee??? Hopefully I will get an answer for all of us. As of right now, I truly believe mine will not go away....hasn't gotten any worse, but hasn't gotten any better either!! BUT, the burning is VERY painful when it happens.....and there is no way that I would even dream about attempting to put my weight back on that knee, etc. Wrapping x-mas gifts was tough this year....you don't realize how often you do put weight directly on your knees. Totally stinks!!!

Kathy E.

I have been having the same problems you describe with my knee. I am 39 (sounds like the age for most on here) and the pain has gotten alot worse recently. Have you had any success after seeing the specialist? Did icing it help? What do you recommend?
Ange

Has anybody determined what this knee ailment is? I find it amazing that there are so many of us describing the exact same pain, yet there is absolutey no medical information that I could find that describes this condition. I am 42 years old and have the exact same symptoms below my right knee: sharp burning pain just to the outside of the upper Tibia while kneeling.

If I rub the area just to the inside of the Tibia, I can feel a slight burning sensation on the outside of the tibia. It is a strange sensation to feel something in a different place from where I am rubbing. It feels like there are ligaments or tendons that are transmitting the signals across my Tibia.

If I was to guess, I would say this condition is related to the Iliotibial band. The burning sensation occurs where the Iliotibial band is supposed to attach to the tibia. It feels like the Iliotibial band is being pulled too tautly when bending the knee beyond 90 degrees. The localized strain on the band is felt as a burning sensation.

I also have a bump right at the top of my Tibia. It appears to be like a bone spur or something swollen. This bump is slightly sensitive to pressure. I was speculating that this bump may have put tension on the Iliotibial band by making it travel a different when bending the knee. Does anyone else have a similar bump or swelling near the top of their Tibia?

The other thought I had was that this condition may be related to the Gerdy's Tubercle. There is little information on the Gerdy's Tubercle online. However, I do know it is in the right location to possibly be part of the problem.

I would be very interested if anyone finds any medical information on this condition.

I am going through the same thing...thought that there was a scrape...it burns like fire when I kneel or bend knee back a lot, with a quick motion.

Did the support bandage help? I just started this yesterday, so you are a little ahead of me...

I have recently developed a condition similar to those described here. I first noticed the pain on the outer side of my right knee when I was kneeling. It was the sort of pain (a burning type of sensation) I associate with a graze on the surface of the skin and that's what I thought it was until I examined my knee and could discover no external sign of any injury.

The pain subsided very quickly when I stopped kneeling and I have absolutely no sign of it when I am walking, running or cycling. Apart from kneeling, the only other time it occurs is when I bend my knee as far as I can, then I can feel the pain increasing at the extreme end of the stretch.

Recently the pain has virtually disappeared from my right knee, but I am now experiencing it in a slightly more painful form in my left knee. It comes and goes exactly as described above.

I am going to partially immobilise the knee with a support bandage to see if this brings about any improvement and will report on this in the next week or two.

I have a very similar problem with my left knee except the sharp electric burning pain is felt (immediately when kneeling on a hard surface) on the outer side of the leg at the bony protrusion on the side and slightly below the knee. No pain when running/cycling or any other activities. When I stop kneeling the pain fades away quickly with only some lingering tenderness. I have not suffered any injury or trauma. Possibly related to this problem on the same leg is also a mild inflammation of the Achilles tendon right at the bottom where it is attached to the heel for the past year that I have been prescribed an anti-inflammatory for and advised to take a break from running (which I have temporarily and replaced with cycling).

No pain doing anything on my right knee, however. Note that my right knee was operated on to fix a jamming condition. It turned out there was a piece of necrotic tissue (fat) the size of a golf ball jamming up the works. Luckily, no damage to any of the ligaments or joints. The problem flared up after some fairly intense running of 10k distances. Not sure what caused the tissue to be lodged but suspect an old knee injury inflicted during an accident while x-country skiing some decades ago.

I am in fairly good shape, 41 yrs old and somewhat physically heavy due to muscular build. I have fairly well developed coarse muscle tone in my legs from many years of exercise, sports and running so I don't have any reason to suspect any muscular weakness-related causes.

I wonder if my left knee may have something related to the previous problem with my right knee even though there is no jamming or range of motion issue.

Thank you for any suggestions or input that may help that can point me in the right direction to remedy this.