Unknown and recurring tendon/ligament burning/tearing pain followed by numbness

[PSUWayne]

For the past several years I've had long periods (upwards of 6 months at a time) of  excruciating burning/tearing pain in various tendons or ligaments when stretched.  

The first occurrence was in my right knee.  If I bent my knee near its maximum extent (such as when kneeling, crouching or climbing into bed), I experienced an incredibly painful tearing/burning sensation in the area of my patellar tendon.  I would immediately react and straighten my knee and the pain would completely dissipate within several minutes.  Afterward the area would feel about 50% numb, as if injected with a mild local anesthetic that was slowly wearing off, for several hours.  I mentioned this to my doctor and he just dismissed it as "you probably just strained your knee", but I hadn't.  Normal walking, running, jumping, etc caused no pain, weakness or instability and there was no swelling, bruising or other external indication of injury.  It was only while fully bent that the pain occurred. This episode lasted for at least 6 months.  Then, as quickly and mysteriously as it appeared, it was gone.

Some months later, I went to step up on a curb and I experienced the same tearing pain in my right Achilles tendon when I bent my foot upward near its max extent.  Just as with the knee, the pain subsided within a few minutes and a numbness was left behind.  This lasted several months as well, then suddenly disappeared.  

Next, the same happened in my right knee again, although this time it was in my Lateral Collateral ligament area.  This lasted for several months as well.  During this particular episode the numbness that followed the pain never completely subsided, though.  When the episode was over, I was left with a persisting slight numbness and slight pain sensitivity to external pressure (sensitive to the touch).  

About a month ago my fourth episode began and continues today.  This time it's along the outside of my right big toe and occurs when I extend my foot downward and point my toes, such as when putting on a pair of pants.  Like the last episode, the numbness is not subsiding after a pain attack.  

Overall the pain is short-lived when I forget myself and accidentally induce it.  It's more of a nuisance than anything, but at the same time it's troubling to think that there could be an underlying reason which may be serious.  

So I'd like to know if anyone else has experienced this and has a name to put on it so I can either put my mind at rest or get treatment without having to battle the usual "oh, you probably strained it, take some ibuprofen and see what happens" from my doc.

Thanks!!

[Kathypa]

Get the western blot test for lyme.  I have lyme and I have all of the symptoms everyone has on this post. Go to ilads.org for more information and take it seriously.  Most people are misdiagnosed and treated for something else when it is lyme the entire time.  I never had the bullseye.  Thankfully, I went to the right doctor after 4 months of pain.  Good luck everyone.  Anytime there is something "unexplained", get tested for lyme.  

[ryanshar]

I am in the exact same boat becoming more painful as well.

[ryanshar]

I have a very painful burning and tearing sensation in my hands around my knuckles when I stretch or make a fist.  Sometimes it is in my feet as well around my heels.  It has also moved into my right knee lately.  I had it once a few years ago and it went way after a few months.  It has been 8 months and it is getting worse and my doc has not been much help.  I am a former marine and am very used to pain but am becoming concerned because it is getting to be intense pain.

[ryanshar]

I have the same symptoms its is in my hands now and my right knee and has moved over the years as it has come and gone.  sometimes in my feet.  It seems to be getting worse with each bout and lasting longer I am going on 8 months straight. cannot believe that no one can figure this out.

[mshollis01]

I am having the same issue. I didn't see anyone post the likely cause or diagnosis.  My situation is left knee, tearing/ripping sensation in front, just below knee cap sometime when bending my leg - especially when raising my leg and bending concurrently, like when I get into bed or into my car.

Mine can happen just by touching the skin and it sets it off.  But usually it is when I am raising my leg and bending my knee.

It goes kind of numb too for a while afterward.  It is only my left knee.  Been going on for 2-3 months now.

My situation:
- 49 yrs old white male; 185 lbs; 5'8"
- Very active physically - work out 5 days per week and work in yard a lot
- Just slightly overweight - lots of muscle but have a small innertube around my middle
- 40 mg simvastatin daily for cholesterol
- 1/2 ML Testosterone Cypriate weekly for Low-T
- 1/2 mg Anastrazole daily to counteract the Estrogen that can result from synthetic testosterone
- Take Vitamin D pill - 1 per week - 50,000 something

[rperesie]

this is where mine is too. lower front and side of my right calf, and it radiates down to my ankle. I am in agony if I try to walk at a decent pace for more than a minute or two. Feels like someone is ripping the muscle right out of my body.