• Source of pain question?

I have a question about my knee x-rays. I have a lot of constant knee pain, I use an ml830 laser on them a lot. My ankle is really damaged- the two main supporting joints have osteoarthritis/neuropathic changes with three ligaments slightly ruptured..I have severe tendinitis, baxters neuropathy, auto immune nerve compression, etc.

My question is my knee x-ray just showed calcific tendinitis on both knees..with the right having mild medial tibiofemoral compartment/patellofemeral compartment osteophyte formation. The left has minimal patellofemeral compartment osteophyte formation. My physiatrist said knees looked ok. I explained how there was constant pain there, he seemed like he understood but did not tell me how painful that could be. I am just wondering could the calcific tendinitis with osteophyte cause constant bone on bone pain all day like I am having? Or is that not very painful and its just my ankle alignment causing an issue? My L5S1 is herniated too..just wondering because my knee issue causes a lot of pain and I am wondering if those things may explain it.

2 Answers

  • Radiologist
  • West Columbia, South Carolina

A similar story of my life...I'm uncertain as to your underlying chronic condition. Diabetes? Auto-immune disease? I'm 55 and have always been bow-legged (varus knees). I've suffered bad knees for decades after being very athletic in high school and college. Looking at a left knee implant in January. Your body is like a house...bad foundation...bad house....all of your
ankle, knee, and spine issues are almost certainly related. Get second opinions, MRIs and nerve conduction studies.
All the best.

  • Orthopedist
  • Newport News, VA

Yes, your knee pain may be related to the arthritis. There is no direct correlation of the changes on X-ray to the pain. Some patients will have more pain with less arthritis than others, who may have a lot of arthritis on the X-ray, but little pain.

Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD

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