Electric-shock like pain in knee

[Laura07]

Hello; for the past few months I have been experiencing a pain in my
knee, it is just to the outside of the patella. It is a very sharp pain, like an electrical shock. It happens totally at random. It can happen when I am walking, sitting, sleeping, etc. When the pain is not occurring, my knee feels
completely normal. When it happens, it usually happens every few
seconds or minutes, then stops for several hours. I am not aware of
any injury or unusual stress to that area. X-ray was normal and doctor's examination was clear. Any ideas?

[lynnnelson704]

Shocking when it happens, I'm never prepared for the extent and severity of the pain  It only lasts 4-10 seconds, max.  The pain is under the left knee cap towards the inner part of leg.  It feels as though someone takes a gun straight to the spot or an ice pic and it pulses.  The pain is so severe I scream bloody murder!  It shocks everyone around and is happening in my sleep.  Right now it happens about 6 times during any given day and 2-3 times during the night.  Went 2 days ago to a Ortho Urgent Center and the doc thought it was pes anserine bursitis.  They gave me a cortisone shot and it was worst the next day.  Please please if anyone gets more of a diagnosis, post here as soon as possible.

[Sivens]

I haven't had the problem for several years now.  Mine originated after participating in a medical study where I built up my leg muscles over several months on a stationery bike.  It took months to go away and came back for awhile a couple years later.  That, too, may have been exercise related, I can't recall.  The best explanation I received was a suggestion that I had built up part of my quads more than the rest which resulted in some off center pressure on the knee cap.  Certain leg stretching exercises seemed to help.  If your issue might be exercise related and you don't have a disease causing your problem, consider working with a physical therapist, especially one involved in sports medicine.

[bhawk70]

Haven't found a cure but have been taking Gabapentin for years (Diabetic) and I
still have the shooting pain in my knee for about two months now..Very irritating to say the least.

[camo78]

I have researched this problem extensively because I can't stand it and I'm trying to find a solution.  Best I've come up with is Meralgia Parasthetica. It's a result of an entrapped lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the hip. I am currently on 500mgs of Gabapentin and increasing the dosage weekly as ive just started using it. So far I've had no side effects but can't say it's helping a great deal. I am researching the use of a drug called Cymbalta which may help too. I am booked in for an MRI next week.  Im completely over this damn pain, it's causing me alot of distress in my life so I won't stop until I get rid of it. Will keep updated.

[Rtupap]

Hi All,

I am in the similar situation as many of you. However, I am on my third day. But something has helped me. Read below -

1) Day 1: I got two electric shocks one at 8:00 am another 11:00 am, I was in pain for 5 secs or so then gone, like most of you have mentioned, terrible feeling, excruciating pain from the back of my inner right knee all the way down to the right leg.
2) Day 1: did a thorough research spoke to my physio
3) Day 2: Did lower spine release/mobility work(physio did it), did yoga stretches(learnt it in past), did foam roller on T-band and inner thigh (have learnt in past), took vitamin D tablets (as prescribed by my doc), did not sit for more than 30-45 at a stretch and did a small stretch walk after every 30-45 of sitting (my job demands long hours of sitting)
4) Day 2: Attack came back at 2:00 pm but was 1/4th of the intensity of what had happened to me on Day 1
5) Day 3: is today - I am gonna repeat what I did on Day 2 above and see how it goes.

Other Info -My lifestyle is otherwise healthy in terms of food I take and water I drink. I used to play a lot of sports but taking a break from the same from last 2 months.

I had a sports injury on my right knee twice in last 30 years. I am 43 years old male. Not overweight.

Somewhere above "ehlet" has described this approach too and while I did my online research I found his recommendation very sensible and derived by an approach from there. So thanks "ehlet" for the same.

I am a fresh case only on Day 3 so I will keep you guys posted on how my pain goes and will write back in a weeks time.

till then, take care and I will experiment with my approach and post back.

cheers,
rtupap

[MichaelS111]

I was on an inversion table and stayed too long and suddenly felt my knees and center of legs become unstable. Since then I have these shocks. Wasn't noticed on an MRI, but I know I probably tore something right behind the knee cap. Just a heads up for all of you that feel that shocking pulsating pain because I know why mine happened.

[minkbo]

Same thing as all of you.  EXTREME shock like pain, interior of right knee ( but not my knee ).  
This happened about a year ago for about 5 -10 seconds.  I was like OUCH!  Then I started doing a spin class and yesterday this came on with a vengeance. Extreme shock pain lasting from 5-30 seconds, at times almost felt like it was pulsating. This went on off and on for about and hour. Then nothing.. no pain, no problems until next attack.  
I remembered hearing something about apple cider vinegar, I drank a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and water and it subsided for about 8 hours. 8 hours later woke me up in middle of night, drank more vinegar.. seemed to help.
At work today rolling around during an episode. My dad gave me a tincture of marijuana oil... seemed to help, then I also found at Walgreens Neuragen ( nerve cream ) this seemed to stop in its tracks.
I really am not sure.  I made an appointment at Dr in am.  Listening to everyone, it does not seem to help.  I personally am going to back off the spin class and see if it subsides the flare up.  
Hope some of these things help you, as they did me.

[bigbella43]

what did you find out

[Sineadmarieee]

I'm getting it too - it's a sharp electric shock type pain in my knee of my left leg- more to the side of my knee. I had spinal surgery (a benign schnowmma rumour removed) 3 years ago so it may be connected..or maybe not! I'm going to see a doctor asap.

[Jeffjeffjeff]

Maybe this helps a few of you guys.
I had the same symptoms under my left knee for a while
My doctor here in Holland sent his friend round who is a retired knee specialist to many of Hollands football players. Soccer to my American cousins.
He said that the underside of my knee cap is irritated and that causes the weird electric pain. The problem is that there is not much blood supply under the knee cap (of anyone). So he gave me the following excercise to do. (As often as I could).
With a straight leg, but a totally relaxed leg, either on the couch or with the leg diagonally down from my office chair) I am to very very slightly flex my front thigh muscle so that the knee cap very gently rises up towards my head, hold for a second and gently release. Over and over. As often as I could in a day. The idea is that it gently rubs the underside of the knee cap across the top of the knee and thus brings a bit of blood flow. He stressed that the leg should be fully relaxed and the movement gentle. Easiest excercise ever. Six weeks long he said and no running etc. So far it's working. I hope it works for some of you guys.
Cheers
Simon

[ahmadfarjad]

I did this exercise. It immediately triggers a delayed episode. I guess it just get my knee cap more irritated.

[minkbo]

Me too... OUCH

[Jeffjeffjeff]

Maybe this helps a few of you guys.
I had the same symptoms under my left knee for a while
My doctor here in Holland sent his friend round who is a retired knee specialist to many of Hollands football players. Soccer to my American cousins.
He said that the underside of my knee cap is irritated and that causes the weird electric pain. The problem is that there is not much blood supply under the knee cap (of anyone). So he gave me the following excercise to do. (As often as I could).
With a straight leg, but a totally relaxed leg, either on the couch or with the leg diagonally down from my office chair) I am to very very slightly flex my front thigh muscle so that the knee cap very gently rises up towards my head, hold for a second and gently release. Over and over. As often as I could in a day. The idea is that it gently rubs the underside of the knee cap across the top of the knee and thus brings a bit of blood flow. He stressed that the leg should be fully relaxed and the movement gentle. Easiest excercise ever. Six weeks long he said and no running etc. So far it's working. I hope it works for some of you guys.
Cheers
Simon

[ikwakeman]

Dear Simon, Thanks for the info.  How have you been feeling?  Any updates?