Did I torn my medial reitinculum ?

[AzzaKhaled]

I'm 20 y f , I had an MRI saying I have mild lateral patellar tilt  and a shallow femur
, it's been 4-5 months now ,
Last month I went to a doctor ,said I have a weak VMO and I need to exercise it , and started a glucosamine therapy ,
I've been doing exercises at home , not regularly as I'm out of house most of the time  , I'm not sure Im getting any better
Yesterday I've walked A LOT and but weight on my knee
My knee has swollen and I barely walked , due to the effusion ,
and for the first time I see a depression on the medial side of my knee cap
With a weird sensation of someone tracking a line with a pin ,that only lasted for a seconds, medial to my knee cap ( at the end of VMO) ,
I'm afraid that I had torn my medial retiniculum , how could I know?

[AzzaKhaled]

Tuckamore , Your reply means a lot to me , really , thank you so much

May I as if It's harmful to stay at home for a week before seeing the doctor ?

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome,

I am sorry to hear about your knee pain. I personally know how disruptive knee pain can be to our daily life.

For our members VMO stands for vastus medialis oblique and is part of the vastus medialis quadriceps muscle at the front of the thigh. It is an active and dynamic stabiliser of the patella (knee cap). The VMO stabilizes the patella within the patella groove. It also controls the tracking of the patella when the knee is bent and straightened. It plays an important role in the function of our knee joint.

Your question, "I'm afraid that I had torn my medial retiniculum , how could I know? " The medial retinaculum is located within the knee joint; it works with the patella tendon and the quadriceps muscles to help you perform the function of extending your knee. Long story short, the only way to be certain of a tear is by a scan, CT or possibly an MRI.

It's doubtful that simple walking tore your medial retinaculum. However it's not impossible. Are you icing the area? It will help with the effusion (edema or swelling). At this point I think you need to elevate and rest the knee area. If your MD has told you to take a NSAID I would also do that. If he/she didn't suggest one than a call to his/her office for a recommendation - or your family pharmacist may be beneficial.

I encourage you to contact your physician for an appointment. Hopefully you can be seen soon. If there are no appts available soon than they may suggest you be seen at an Urgent Care Clinic - or even ED.  

I hope you are consulting an orthopedist that specializes in the treatment of knees. You're young and want the best and most innovative care available. Once you have a structural knee issue it can haunt you the remainder of your life - which in your case will hopefully be many years.

I wish you the best and hope you'll let us know how you are doing. I'll look forward to hearing more from you.

Take Care,
~Tuck