Spongey Painful Knee

Back in March I had pain and a weird wobbly feeling in my right knee which after rest / ice / exercise didn’t heal . Physio ( telephone ) advised using crutches which I did but after a few weeks my knee was no use and I couldn’t weight bear at all . I visited a private physio at end of July ( post lockdown ) who did a few twists and a little pressure and he hinted that it was collagen related ( possible trapped ) … I was then able to weight bear and gradually increase my walking to a good degree .

Weeks later ( and exercising every day ) my knee now feels spongey and I am still struggling to get past this when I walk . My knee does feel and look slightly swollen just below the knee cap and also a little to the LH side . MRI scans & X rays show no arthritis and no meniscus tear .

An NHS physio mentioned Hoffa’s syndrome but wasn’t 100% …. I’m not sure what to do next as walking is still a struggle although after struggling and getting into a rhythm it does seem to ease slightly although it doesn’t feel “ normal “ !

Any advice is appreciated

Hi Caroline

Thanks for the email – and the clarification that the meniscus looks OK on MRI.

The sponginess or even pudginess (splitting hairs!) below the knee cap does make it sounds like a fat pad impingement – and they can be really painful. Do you lock your knees back when standing up? It can be really common in fat pad issues, and so if you walk with “soft knees” it can feel easier.

Have a look at this taping video and give it a try to see if it makes a difference and hopefully get the right diagnosis:

The Guru

Hi

Thank you so much for your reply

I do lock my knee so back when I stand up so take on board what you suggest re adopting a soft knee .

I have looked at your attached videos and find them most helpful re the taping .

Are there any particular exercises that you think may help if it is a fat pad issue .

Your help is much appreciated

Regards

Caroline

Hi Caroline – absolutely.

You need to be able to control how you straighten your knee and not just lock it straight back, and so I doubt that there are any good v bad exercises but instead it’s how you do them.

See how the tape goes with regards to confirming the diagnosis and then I can set some progression.

The Guru