Exploring Left Leg Twitching/Weakness

[MarioMasher]

This isn't a panic post, don't worry. I'm just curious about the physiology of things. Maybe one of our doctors can tell me why this happens.My twitching and "weakness" has always been the worst in my left leg. It always feels weird, even though I've long made peace with the fact that it hasn't progressed into anything. But over the last week or so I have developed what appear to be either muscle bruises or muscle inflammation around my left knee. I have never had this before, but there are about three or four places around my knee where if I touch, it feel like I have a bruise there. It's not a real sharp pain, it just feels like some sort of weird injury or sore spot. My left knee has also been popping and cracking a lot more often when I walk.So here's my question. What exactly are these "bruise" spots? Is that just some sort of weird tendinitis caused by uneven pressure on my legs when I walk? Putting heat on the sore spots seems to help, but otherwise they just get sore and remain sore. My guess is that the BFS has altered the pressure I put on joints when I walk and stand up, and so my muscles are just getting a workout in places they don't normally work out. Does that sound like the most logical explanation for sore spots around my kneecap?

 

[AllGoodHere]

Hi Mario - Is there swelling? I've gotten redness and swelling quite frequently. Ortho and PT both said the uneven muscle tension was causing misalignment in my knee cap and irritating the bursa underneath. Of course the ortho wanted to cut (said that he could even out the bottom of my knee cap as the calcium deposits weren't helping anything) but I've made out fine without any operations. Ice generally works better than heat (but wahhh :crying: , hurts more) and ibruprophen will help get the fluid out. Avoid deep knee bends, lunges, or any activity that bends the knee severely with weight on it. Try to do something that works the thigh muscles in alignment (leg extensions)- there's some strengthening exercises on this page . I'm sure the docs will have something to add but hope this helps you out in the meantime. When all else fails go see an ortho, specializing in the lower leg, but don't them talk you into an operation before you try some physical therapy & corrective exercise. Happy fourth! hey - today you could treat it with a stiff drink or two and you may forget about your knees altogether.

 

[bfhopeful2]

Not sure, but I do have a torn meniscus in my left knee and I can tell you I have swelling abruising in places that the injury is not. From what the ortho explained the knee is like a balloon. And if you injur it somewhere it can fill up all over and swell in places the injury in not present. There is degenerative injuries like this that cause the same problem. It does not have to come from a specific injury. Just the cartlidge wears down and the bone on bone causes fluid and swelling. Only an mri will tell for sure. I doubt it is related, but who knows with this stuff. Either way I am sure it is just inconvenient. You have been going through this longer then I, but wanted to answer because I know about the knee and it is very possible.

 

[beensuggested]

Mario I guess my next question would be are you actually bruised or is it a "bruised" like feeling when you touch certain areas? There is a differnt answer for each scenario.Let me know and I shall do my best to give an explanation.Smooches,Kit

 

[MarioMasher]

No it's not an actual bruise. It is just a sore spot that feels like a bruise if you touch it. In fact I'm not even sure it's the muscle that is sore at all, it's possible it could be a tendon or a ligament. I have a couple spots around and above my left kneecap (although the big one appears to be getting better).Oh and ImOk no there is no swelling. Just soreness.Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[AllGoodHere]

Did you do anything to irritate them? I get that bruised feeling if I do any kneeling - like yoga postures on the knees which I should know better than to do but ......so no kneeling even if you're begging for a massage from your significant other. And try the leg extensions - much easier than orthopedic surgery (don't believe them when they tell you "it's nothing, they'll do arthroscopy", unless they are speaking from personal experience). This stuff is so much easier to talk about than pnhe - stuff you can actually deal with directly

 

[beensuggested]

Likely it is due to some stress on the muscle attachements and tendons (there are quite a few here) and it can be due to altered gait patterns (change in how you walk or stand - can be due to different shoes or walking surfaces or different activities). If for the most part it seems to be getting better it is just something to keep an eye on for no other reason than we don't like to develop issues with the knee, they can easily become chronic. I don't believe it is in any way related to this condition but I think you knew that anyway. Just regular wear and tear from life.Smooches,Kit