Trying a avoid stepping on a cat in the doorway, I swung my leg high and smacked it solidly against the doorframe. Hard. Right on the kneecap. It hurt a lot, but I iced it for a few minutes and carried on. That was on Monday in the morning. It ached a bit that day and the next, but yesterday (Wednesday) I was limping, and then it woke me up throbbing last night. Ice and ibuprofen helped, but this morning, it is worse than yesterday. I am going to continue on ibuprofen today.
What’s happening? Why has the pain built up over the past few days? Swelling? The pain feels like it is the patella hurting, and the center of the joint. I don’t see how I could have torn something, as I wasn’t bearing weight on it when I hit it. It was just a solid blow to the patella.
Maybe a fracture? I’d recommend seeing a doctor and/or getting an X-Ray.
Personal anecdote: I fell during a run last year on the sidewalk and (for some reason I still cannot explain) my knee seemed to take the brunt of the fall on the concrete. The pain was so intense that I was sure it was broken and was running through the scenario of driving myself to the hospital in my mind, but after an hour or two, everything was mostly back to normal with the pain continuing to subside. So if you still are having pain and swelling after a couple days, it really makes me think you should see the doctor.
It could be a hairline fracture, which will hurt like the dickens.
I’d suggest a visit to a doctor (even a doc-in-the-box), and maybe an x-ray if the doc thinks it’s needed. I don’t know how much they can do for it, but at least you’ll know (and know to take it easy for a while), and maybe you’ll get a good brace and some painkillers out of it.
For any bruising and swelling, topical Arnica gel is great. But don’t do that instead of seeing a doctor.
It got even worse, so I did go to the doctor. X-rays did not reveal a fracture, so the doc thinks it is a bone bruise. Rest, ice, aleve. Thanks for your responses!
You didn’t mention the part where the doctor told you not to go around smacking your knee.
The doctor did not tell me that. I think it’s because I have Obamacare.