SEARCH KNOWLEDGE BASE: 10.000 Q&A

Persistent 'clicking' in post surgical knee–IT band problems?

(2 discussions)

Hello from San Diego,
In March 2000 I had a patellar graft ACL replacement and meniscus repair on my left knee. I had monitored physical therapy for 3 months. I have gradually worked up to about 85% of my pre-surgery activities, including cycling, aerobics and hiking. This past early spring I started experiencing a very annoying and sometimes moderately painful “snapping” on the outer knee area just about where the knee bends. Ironically, it rarely happens when I’m working out, instead it’s when I’m sedentary, like getting up from a chair, going up stairs at work (not down), walking down the hall, putting the laundry away. On a typical day this snapping occurs 50-60 times! I had an MRI and XRay done last month which was ‘unremarkable’; a corticosteroid shot did not help, nor has a month of 3x/week physical therapy (deep tissue massage, ultrasound, assisted stretching, ice, heat) and my own stretch routine at home. The second opinion ortho spent 10 minutes with me, did not look at the MRI images, and told me he wanted to inject me with Synvasc, a new synthetic synovial fluid that seems to be mostly used in patients with arthritis, which I don’t have symptoms of. My physical therapist, who has been by far the most concerned medical professional I’ve seen about this, believes I have a problem with my IT band and friction. I would appreciate hearing from anyone that’s had a similar problem, or insight into how it’s been treated. I really don’t think it’s a problem “inside” my knee joint, so the IT band theory makes sense, but I would greatly appreciate other thoughts. Thank you!

Related Posts

2 comments

    Avatar

    9 10

    Hello Roanoke,
    Thanks for your post back to me. I have since seen another, more patient ortho, who reviewed my MRIs and X rays and found them non-diagnostic of my problem (which has unfortunately not resolved with continued PT). He told me that if I really wanted to know what was going on that I should have an exploratory arthroscopy. But he also warned that, like searching for a pesky electrical problem with a car, they might not find anything and I could find myself right back where I am now. Based on his physical exam he agreed the snapping sensation was probably the IT band rubbing against a nodule or a small tear in the meniscus, but he did not rule out something else going on more inside the knee. Bottom line, he said I need to make the decision as to how and when to pursue the diagnosis. So, for now I am going to continue a fairly conservative course and give PT, rest, and stretching exercises some more time…but I sure am sick of sounding like a walking firecracker! I would very much like to hear about what your ortho has to say when you see him/her next. Thanks again! Gail

    Avatar

    9 10

    Dear San Diego,

    I had ACL reconstruction for a fractured knee in January 2001. I experienced almost identical recovery as you describe. About two months ago while running on a treadmill I started experiencing the same snapping you describe, although probably not as severe or as often. It was annoying enough that I went back to see my Ortho Dr. last week. His PA examined the knee and was consistently able to reproduce the clicking; after consulting with the sports medicine Dr. on duty, they both said they didn’t know what it was but were not concerned. I have made a follow up appointment to see the Dr. that did my surgery. I am interested in following your resolution.

LEAVE A REPLY

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *