Experiencing Numbness in Left Knee
I’m a 19-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 5 inches and weighing 127 pounds. I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and Raynaud's phenomenon. My current medications include Adderall, Wellbutrin, Motegrity, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and magnesium oxide. Recently, I encountered a concerning issue with my left knee. It was yesterday when I awoke to a distinct numbness in the area. While I still retain movement in my knee and am able to feel pressure when I scratch, lighter touches result in no sensation. There’s no tingling or pins and needles associated with it; rather, it resembles how my hand felt last year after receiving a numbing injection for stitches—present but devoid of feeling. This numbness has persisted for more than 24 hours and shows no signs of improvement. It affects a region extending an inch or two above and below my kneecap, primarily on the front and sides; interestingly, the back remains unaffected. The entire kneecap is involved, with the inner right side being the most numb segment. When I sit or apply pressure, the lack of sensation is pronounced. While there is no pain, the experience is undeniably strange. I had considered simply waiting for the numbness to subside since my legs tend to fall asleep from unusual sitting positions, but this is noticeably different. As an athlete, I am cautious and don't want to overlook something that could potentially be serious. Would it be wise to keep monitoring this situation, or is it advisable to consult my healthcare provider?
Answers (1)
7/3/2025, 4:20:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
Experiencing numbness in your knee can raise valid concerns, especially given your existing health conditions. While numbness can sometimes result from temporary factors like compression or positioning, your specific situation warrants careful attention, particularly since the numbness has persisted for over 24 hours and is affecting your ability to function as an athlete.
Explanation
Numbness around the knee can stem from various causes including nerve compression, circulatory issues, or even changes related to hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). Given the uniqueness of this sensation and its localization, it's essential to consider how factors from your existing conditions may overlap with new symptoms. It's good that you're proactive, as it's crucial not to ignore unusual sensations.
Prioritized Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on any progression or changes in the numbness. Check if it spreads, increases, or if you gain any additional symptoms like weakness, changes in skin color, or swelling.
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Limit Stress on the Knee: Avoid activities that may exacerbate the numbness, such as intense workouts or prolonged sitting in positions that may compress the knee area.
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Gentle Mobility Exercises: If pain allows, incorporate gentle stretches or mobility exercises focusing on your knee and leg. This can help maintain blood flow without straining the area.
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Positioning: Be mindful of how you sit or sleep, ensuring you're not putting unnecessary pressure on your knee that could lead to numbness.
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Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Since this symptom differs from your usual experiences and has persisted, it's wise to reach out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation. They may want to assess for nerve involvement or other factors related to your other medical conditions.
Monitoring changes and maintaining mobility while seeking medical input is critical at this stage. If you notice any severe changes or new symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek immediate help.
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