Doctor or straight to physio?

[Maz]

Hi
I've had a problem with my right knee for a few weeks. While sitting, if I try to make my leg straight, it reaches a certain point, then the joint tightens up and creaks [tendons?], gets a bit painful, before I get passed the pain then I can straighten the leg.
I'm keeping off the bike in case i aggravate it, but maybe that's what I need to do as physiotherapy [?]

Anyway, is worth going to a doctor or will he just refer me to a physio? Thanks

 

[Dusty Bin]

To the docs for a diagnosis, then get a referral to a physio...

 

[PK99]

To the docs for a diagnosis, then get a referral to a physio...

In my experience, a sports physio is more likely to give a decent diagnosis than a GP.

 

[Berties]

I am always impatient and get straight to the physio/biomechanics expert,can get a appointment at his practice and he will see at home now, unless you know you have had a specific twist or knock , try to work out what has caused injury, ie not stretching, warming up , bike fit , Poor shoe fit etc

 

[Dusty Bin]

In my experience, a sports physio is more likely to give a decent diagnosis than a GP.

There's lots of good reasons to go to a GP first. Diagnosis and referral are only two of them.

 

[steve52]

gp and referal as the cheap option a sports inujury or phyisio would be my choise,if i could afford it,the shed to fix it myself if i cant, if that fails ,well by now the appointment for the gp should come through any time now.

 

[Crackle]

Hi
I've had a problem with my right knee for a few weeks. While sitting, if I try to make my leg straight, it reaches a certain point, then the joint tightens up and creaks [tendons?], gets a bit painful, before I get passed the pain then I can straighten the leg.
I'm keeping off the bike in case i aggravate it, but maybe that's what I need to do as physiotherapy [?]

Anyway, is worth going to a doctor or will he just refer me to a physio? Thanks

Go to the docs Maz, they might refer you to a physio, they might send you for an x-ray,they might diagnose, they might not but if it's not something you've aggravated before or are sure of, gp should be your first call, at the least to exclude a more serious injury.

 

[vickster]

Are you paying out of pocket for the physio, if so you don't need a referral but it could be useful unless you want to start paying for scans etc too (and MRI can be £500+ for example)

If you are looking for NHS physio, or if you have private HC paying or the physio, you will need a referral

On balance, I'd see a GP. Has there been trauma to the knee, I had a knee that would't straighten, due to a torn meniscus being stuck in the joint that needed surgery to resolve

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

GP first. If he says go home and put your feet up, find another GP. Tell him cycling is your life, and get a referral.

 

[Booyaa]

Physio first without a doubt.

 

[fossyant]

Chop the leg off. Problem fixed.

 

[BRounsley]

I can only talk about my own experience.
I had a ‘bad knee’.

I now know it was caused by my peddling style. My toes would point outwards (heels inwards) this meant my knee (which is a hinge joint) would also track outwards. Doing enough miles would cause the left knee to flare up. The left knee as my right leg is stronger so the weaker left knee would fail first.

I would go to the GP, I’d get anti-inflammatory and rest the knee. The pain would go. What I was doing was treating the symptom not finding the cause.

The 3rd time it happened I paid to go to sports a physio. The cause was found and it was biomechanical. I walked and cycled like a penguin (until it was pointed out I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed this!), I now point my feet forward and my knee is no longer an issue.

A GP cannot send everyone with a ‘bad knee’ straight to a NHS physio especially with no prior history of ‘bad knees’. They will start with very cheap anti-inflammatory and if after months you’re not better escalate you on a more expensive treatment.

So it comes down to how much time and money you want to invest.

There’s also no reason why you can’t do both in at the sometime, set the ball rolling with a GP while seeing a physio. A physio will send you to the doctor if they thinks it’s something not biomechanical.

I’d personally book myself into the Physio (it cost me £35 for each 30 minute session).

 

[Maz]

Are you paying out of pocket for the physio, if so you don't need a referral but it could be useful unless you want to start paying for scans etc too (and MRI can be £500+ for example)

If you are looking for NHS physio, or if you have private HC paying or the physio, you will need a referral

On balance, I'd see a GP. Has there been trauma to the knee, I had a knee that would't straighten, due to a torn meniscus being stuck in the joint that needed surgery to resolve

I can't think of any trauma injury that has caused this. It seems to be down to wear and tear (prior to the injury I was playing a lot of football on grass, twice a week, no diving tackles).

Hope to go the NHS route because I cant afford private. I'll go to the GP today. Thanks

 

[Maz]

Doc says it's not serious thankfully. He's given me some anti-inflammatory tablets to take for a couple of weeks and said take it easy.
See how I get on. Thanks