OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Knee Bump Concern

8/16/2025, 8:30:46 AMMale25-34

I am a 27-year-old woman experiencing a painful bump on my right knee. The only incident that stands out in my memory regarding this knee is when I landed directly on concrete. The only medication I currently take is for depression and anxiety. Due to my job, I am always on my feet, which could be contributing to the discomfort.

Back PainJoint PainOrthopedics

Answers (1)

Cony

8/16/2025, 8:31:11 AM

OpenHealth AI

You are experiencing a painful bump on your right knee, possibly related to a previous injury. Given that you have landed directly on concrete and are often on your feet for work, it's understandable that this could be causing discomfort.

The bump could be due to a few reasons, such as a bruise, fluid accumulation (like a bursitis), or a potential ligament-related issue. While many knee issues improve with time, it’s important to manage your symptoms effectively to avoid further discomfort.

Explanation:

  1. Possible Causes:
    • Bruise or Contusion: If you landed heavily, you might have bruised the tissue around your knee.
    • Bursitis: Inflammation of small sacs filled with fluid (bursae) can occur due to repeated pressure or injury.
    • Ligament Strain: Impact can strain ligaments, leading to pain and swelling.

Next Steps:

  1. Rest and Elevation: Try to limit activities that put strain on your knee. Elevating your leg can help reduce swelling.
  2. Ice the Area: Apply ice to the bump for 15-20 minutes, several times a day, to decrease pain and swelling. Always use a cloth between the ice and your skin.
  3. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: If safe for you, consider non-prescription pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain and inflammation.
  4. Monitoring Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in pain or swelling. Note if you start to experience stiffness, instability, or difficulty moving the knee.
  5. Modify Activities: Since your job requires you to be on your feet, see if you can take short breaks to reduce strain on your knee.

If your symptoms persist, worsen, or if you develop new signs like significant swelling, redness, or inability to bear weight on the knee, consider seeking further evaluation.

Take care of yourself—allowing your knee time to heal is crucial! If you need more specific guidance or have questions about any of these steps, feel free to ask.

Related Questions

Overdoing It with Advil? Need Advice

Hello, I'm an 18-year-old female, standing 5'5" and weighing 123 lbs. Today marks the first day of my menstrual cycle, and typically, I experience significant cramps during this time. However, today's discomfort is unlike anything I've encountered before—it's preventing me from functioning normally. The level of pain is so severe that simple tasks, such as getting out of bed or working, feel impossible. Here's what I've taken so far for relief: - At midnight: 2 Advil liquid gels (totaling 400 mg) - At 8:30 AM: 3 Advil liquid gels (600 mg) - At 2:00 PM: 1 Advil liquid gel (200 mg) In total, I've consumed 1200 mg of ibuprofen today. After taking the morning dose, I felt a slight improvement for a while, but since around 2 PM, my cramps have intensified considerably. I’m currently experiencing such severe pain that it hampers my ability to focus; all I can do now is lie in bed with a heating pad, hoping to endure the discomfort. Presently, I’m grappling with: - Severe cramps in my pelvis, akin to my stomach being tightly twisted - Intense lower back pain that rivals the abdominal cramps - Cramps in my calves and aching legs - Symptoms of nausea, weakness, dizziness, and a feeling of being overheated or flushed This pain has a disorienting effect on me; concentration has become an elusive task. Although I’ve been menstruating for ten years, this marks only the second instance I’ve experienced such intense symptoms. I’m puzzled by the severity of the situation, and I’m reluctant to visit the emergency room, fearing I might be dismissed with a simple "it’s just your period." Nonetheless, I genuinely feel incapable of functioning at the moment. I have a couple of questions: - Is it safe to take additional Advil? I’m concerned about potential harm to my stomach or liver given the quantity I have already ingested. If more isn’t advisable, how long should I wait before considering taking more? - Can I combine Tylenol with the Advil I’ve already consumed? I’m really struggling right now and would greatly appreciate any guidance or suggestions. The pain is so debilitating that it’s severely impacting my ability to carry on with my day, and I feel utterly helpless. Thank you for any support you can provide!

Pain ManagementJoint PainAbdominal Pain
Male25-34
16 minutes ago

Experiencing Knee Discomfort?

Has anyone encountered a similar issue? I’m a teenage girl who prefers to keep my height and weight private. Back in February, I joined a cheerleading squad, and after about a month, I noticed persistent pain in my knee. Thankfully, all my classes are located in the same corridor, which made things a bit easier. By April, the discomfort seemed to diminish, so I decided not to mention it during my six-month checkup with my doctor, largely influenced by my mother who advised me to stay quiet about it, deeming my concerns exaggerated. However, as we transitioned into May, I experienced new symptoms. Suddenly, my wrists began to ache, crack, and make popping noises whenever I performed backbends, and I struggled to catch my breath during bridge exercises, all while my knee pain persisted. I rummaged through local stores looking to buy a knee brace on two occasions, but both times, my parents dissuaded me, insisting I was overreacting. Come August, I began to wake up on Fridays with a painful wrist, making it nearly impossible to move my arm freely. Additionally, my knee seemed to hurt more frequently, especially after I bumped it on the steering column while racing go-karts. To conceal a makeshift knee brace made from bandage tape, I’ve resorted to wearing pants, even in sweltering 90-degree heat, fearing what my parents would say if they discovered it. This school year, my schedule has become hectic, navigating multiple classrooms scattered across the campus. After periods three and four, I find it especially risky as I rush to my locker and then to my next class. My knee troubles flare up at least twice daily, making it a consistent source of pain. I’ve voiced my concerns to my parents repeatedly, but they've started to tune me out. I’ve managed to attend almost every class since January, with just a few absences due to vacations, academic obligations, or illness. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? I’m in need of advice.

Neck PainJoint PainMuscle Pain
Male25-34
36 minutes ago

Numbness and Back Discomfort: A Personal Account

I’m a 34-year-old man residing in western North Carolina, and for the past week, I've been grappling with troubling symptoms. After two visits to the emergency room, where I underwent two CT scans and a series of blood tests, I'm feeling somewhat frustrated. Despite these tests returning nearly flawless results, there was a minor issue with my thyroid levels that my doctor reassured me was not a cause for concern. Currently, I’m prescribed gabapentin and prednisone, in addition to having started a regimen of magnesium threonate and a B-complex vitamin supplement, which includes B1, B6, B9, and B12. Lately, I've experienced persistent numbness in my hands and feet, making them feel as if they’re in a constant state of sleep. My thigh muscles have grown weak, significantly impacting my mobility during activities like lunges, as I struggle to rise back up without assistance. Although I can walk and move my toes and fingers without issue, the discomfort becomes especially pronounced when I awaken, with severe pain localized around the T-6 vertebra. Thankfully, this pain tends to diminish after about an hour once I take my medications. In an attempt to alleviate the issue, I’ve been engaging in various stretching exercises aimed at improving blood circulation, but so far, they haven’t yielded significant relief.

Pain ManagementBack PainJoint Pain
Male25-34
57 minutes ago

Vertical Line on My Abdomen

I recently observed a vertical line on my abdomen that has caught my attention. It appears to be a shade of reddish-brown and is situated right beneath my navel. Interestingly, it doesn’t resemble a stretch mark, and I haven’t experienced any significant weight fluctuations. Since I’m not expecting, the line is too short and misaligned to be akin to those associated with pregnancy. Additionally, I’ve been experiencing discomfort in my stomach after meals, but I’m uncertain if this correlates with the line. Could anyone shed some light on what might be happening?

HeadacheAbdominal PainOrthopedics
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Struggling with Persistent Nausea and Weight Loss for Months

**Summary:** For over three months now, I have been grappling with intense nausea, an extremely sensitive gag reflex, significant weight loss (approximately 25 pounds), and ongoing stomach discomfort. * **Investigations:** CT scan indicated colon inflammation; ultrasound revealed fatty liver; both endoscopy and colonoscopy resulted in inconclusive findings for hiatal hernia; gastric emptying test returned normal; thyroid levels showed some variations. * **Medical Opinions:** A gastroenterologist attributes my issues to acid reflux and anxiety, prescribing Voquezna, while a surgeon diagnosed the hiatal hernia as substantial enough to possibly require surgery (awaiting further test results). * **Medications Prescribed:** Zoloft, Bupropion, intermittent use of Zofran (ineffective), Voquezna (no improvement noted), and Mirtazapine (helps with the gagging). * **Current Condition:** I experience daily nausea, frequent gagging episodes, complete loss of appetite, and a prevailing sense of frustration and confusion between conflicting medical advice. **Chronology of Symptoms:** **Early May:** A sudden onset of severe nausea one evening, leading to sweating and eventual vomiting. After a few hours, I started feeling better. **Mid May:** During a flight to Japan, I felt anxious when my girlfriend mentioned her own nausea. This triggered my fear of vomiting, causing me to become extremely nauseous and gag often. My condition worsened in Japan, marked by persistent nausea and diarrhea. I was apprehensive about eating, limiting myself to plain foods like rice, bread, and proteins while trying to stay hydrated. **Early June:** Upon returning from Japan and feeling somewhat better, I had a family dinner, after which I vomited everything I had eaten. Consequently, I faced intense nausea, stomach issues, diarrhea, and ongoing gagging in the following days. My gastroenterologist recommended an ultrasound, and I ended up in the hospital due to unbearable nausea. A CT scan revealed colon inflammation, resulting in a diagnosis of colitis and a course of antibiotics. The ultrasound revealed that while everything appeared normal, my liver showed signs of being fatty. **Mid June:** At my subsequent appointment with the gastroenterologist, she suggested a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Both procedures included biopsies and returned mostly normal results; however, she mentioned the presence of a hiatal hernia, which she dismissed as a non-issue. The physician remained convinced that acid reflux was the root cause of my symptoms and prescribed Voquenza. I requested further testing, such as a gastric emptying study, which she reluctantly agreed to. My general practitioner advised me to avoid dairy, gluten, and soy. Testing for celiac disease returned negative. **Late June:** My symptoms continued in fluctuations as before. **Early July:** After the 4th of July celebrations, I endured a severe episode of nausea and gagging, perhaps related to my holiday meals. The aftermath included multiple days of intense nausea and stomach discomfort. **Mid July:** I returned to the hospital due to sharp abdominal pain. The staff administered Reglan, which caused a severe reaction. An ER physician suggested that anxiety was the likely culprit behind my vomiting and nausea, a diagnosis that I found dismissive although I acknowledged my anxiety does exacerbate my symptoms. Blood work taken at the end of July indicated abnormal thyroid levels, prompting a referral to an endocrinologist for further evaluation, with a follow-up blood test to track trends. **Late July:** A visit to an esophageal surgeon revealed that the previously dismissed hiatal hernia could be significant enough to contribute to my symptoms. She planned additional tests to determine whether surgery might be beneficial. At the time I'm writing this, those tests are yet to be conducted, but she recommended a strict FODMAP diet. Although I tried adhering to it, I occasionally cheat, particularly with Coke to ease the gag reflex, despite knowing it’s not aligned with the FODMAP principles. I remain committed to avoiding gluten, dairy, soy, and oily foods. **Early August:** My symptoms appeared to stabilize, creating a sense of optimism. The gastric emptying test results were normal. **Mid August:** During a follow-up with the thyroid specialist, I reported feeling better. Another round of blood tests indicated my thyroid levels had improved. I was advised to return for more tests in three months, skipping an immediate follow-up. The day that followed, however, my nausea returned with a vengeance, leaving me feeling completely defeated and uncertain of the next steps. **Investigative Tests Conducted:** - **Early June:** CT scan revealed inflamed colon. - **Early June:** Ultrasound indicated a slightly fatty liver. - **Mid June:** Colonoscopy and endoscopy found hernia but nothing else significant. - **Mid June:** Blood tests showed low vitamin D, high calcium, and abnormal thyroid levels. - **Mid July:** Blood retest showed better vitamin D, slightly elevated calcium, consistent thyroid levels. - **Early August:** Gastric emptying test returned normal. - **Mid August:** Blood tests indicated improved calcium and stabilized thyroid levels. **Symptomatology:** - **Nausea:** Often felt, fluctuating in severity (1-10). - **Gag reflex:** Highly sensitive, typically resulting in dry heaving. - **Diarrhea:** Seen more often than vomiting. - **Constipation:** Occurred for a few weeks but later resolved. - **Nauseous sensation:** Commonly localized in the mid to upper abdomen. - **Abdominal pain:** Infrequent, but some discomfort in the same area. - **Feeling overheated:** Possibly anxiety-related, often accompanies nausea. - **Diminished appetite:** Resulting from fear of nausea, contributed to substantial weight loss. **Medications Currently Taken:** - **Zoloft 100mg:** Taken consistently for two years. - **Bupropion 300mg:** Also taken consistently for two years. - **Zofran:** Generally taken daily since returning from Japan; effects are inconsistent. - **Voquenza:** Started in late June with no noticeable difference. - **Mirtazapine:** Introduced in mid-July; appears to assist with gag reflex. **General Status:** I am persistently nauseous each day, although the gagging has slightly improved since beginning Mirtazapine. I feel caught between the gastroenterologist's insistence on acid reflux and the surgeon's focus on the hernia. My situation is increasingly untenable, and I'm struggling to manage my daily life, avoiding outings due to the fear of illness. Recommendations for a competent doctor in Northern NJ or NYC would be greatly appreciated, along with any suggestions or insights into my predicament.

HeadacheJoint PainAbdominal Pain
Male25-34
1 hour ago