What causes knee pain in a football player?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 21 years old, medically fit. I play football a lot. Recently, I started to have pain in my left knee, there is a pain when I sit on the ground (on bending) and I feel it is crusty when I try to open it. Also there is pain on resistance to movement.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have thoroughly gone through your case and can well understand your genuine health concerns. Knee joint consists of two bones that are femur and tibia. In between these bones, a few structures are present which provide stability to the joint and make the joint strong. These structures are ligaments which connects the two bones and meniscus which are the fibrocartilages present between the two bones. Injury to the meniscus is a common problem faced by football players and athletes. Probably you had a meniscal injury or tear as you are having pain while bending the knee and difficulty in opening it which is called locking and unlocking of the joint. Not all meniscal tears require surgery.

I would suggest you get an X-ray done to make sure that there is no bone fracture. Limit activities of the knee joint. Stop playing football for a few days. Apply ice packs to the knee joint for 15 to 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a day. Apply crepe bandage to the knee. You can take an anti-inflammatory medicine like any NSAID twice daily for five days. Avoid running and jumping. I suggest you take orthopedic opinion also.