Have you ever thought why Doctor ask your Name, Age, Sex, History etc.?

Let’s elaborate these in a form of one of my case study.

Its story of 26 years, female patient having acute right knee pain & had diagnose (self) that she have degenerative disease like Osteo-Arthritis (OA).

Yes, you are reading well she said to Physiotherapist that she have degenerative disease and space has reduce between knee joint though she came with X-ray with normal joint space which she is unaware of it.

Isn’t it strange? Yes it is . . . 

Degenerative disease is a result of a continuous process based on degenerative cell changes, affecting tissues or organs which will damage more as the time passes. Its age related process which cannot be cured completely. 

Osteo-Arthritis – Degeneration of Joint cartilage and underlying bones which starts during middle age onwards. It cause pain, inflammation and stiffness mostly seen in Knee & Hip joint.

So according to definition of degeneration & Osteoarthritis she had done self-wrong diagnosis? Correct?

 

Now come to history of patient. 

 

She is 26 years female doing all household work by self without any assistant or maid. By asking this suddenly one question arise in my mind and can’t resist myself to ask her. 

“How are you doing you floor cleaning?” asked by me.

She replied “myself with cloth”

Still my mind boggling “how you do that? Use any mop to clean the floor”

She replied “No, I am just cleaning floor while kneeling and move in whole room”

Now I am clear that what she is suffering from but to confirm I checked her pain area for differential diagnosis.

 

Pain area –Prepatellar area (means Front of knee cap)

 

Finally diagnosed as Knee Bursitis or Housemaid’s Knee.

KNEE BURSITIS OR HOUSEMAID’S KNEE – Inflammation of small sac of fluid called bursa. Its function is to lubricate movement between tendons and bone. It’s called as Prepatellar Bursitis, also known as housemaid’s knee 

SYMPTOMS 

• Pain,
• Tenderness,
• Swelling,
• Visible lump if chronic.

What causes Knee Bursitis?

By a direct blow or fall on the knee which ruptures blood vessels and bleed into bursa causing swelling and inflammation. Lastly on wall may thicken cause tenderness. May chances of getting infection.

If not recover then it can be chronic also.

CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT

If bursa is infected, antibiotics may be prescribed.

PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT – 

Early R I C E

• Rest – avoid pressure over direct knee. Immobilization for first few days after any trauma.
• Icing – First 24 to 48 hrs icing minimum 10 -20 min to painful area.
• Compression – Compression bandage can apply or therapeutic tape can also use.
• Elevation – by keeping 2-3 pillow at the heel area and raise the knee above heart level.

Wear knee pads to prevent further injury

Knee joint muscle stretching and strengthening.

Consult you Physiotherapist for more details.

SUMMARY 

• Every knee pain is not degenerative disease
• Age, Sex & history play important role in differential diagnosis of condition. So always tell truth to your doctor.
• Consult your doctor for final diagnosis instead of google it.
• Muscle strengthening & stretching play important role to avoid any kind of joint pain and injury.
• Regularly do exercise or Yoga at least 20 min a day
• Don’t ignore your pain. You never know when it can become chronic.

Take care. Have a Pain Free Life.

If any query, Please feel free to contact. We are here to help you . . .

Regards,

Dr Amita Agrawal,

(BPT, PGDEMS, D.Acu., MIAP, MBA)

Consultant Physiotherapist.