Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
Your pain seems to be due to a knee pathology. Probably osteoarthritis of the left knee. This can cause referred pain of the thigh and hip, as well as pain at the site itself.
Osteoarthritis is a condition of the joints where the joint is damaged due to aging or other factors.
The cold and fever are not related to that as you have mentioned.
You will need to consult an Orthopedic for examination of your knee.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment includes physiotherapy and analgesics.
Meanwhile, you can Advil for the pain.
I hope this was helpful.
Let me know if I can help you any further.
Regards.
Patient replied :
That is interesting because there is no apparent pain in my knee itself. There was a spot at the head of the tibia at a point below the knee cap. The the thigh pain is up near the top of the thigh muscle and if I try to lift my foot that is where there is sharp pain. I am not saying something is broken but I can compare it, the pain, to what I had the time I broke my left are where the bicep is. The pain is present when sitting but only if I prop up my legs horizontal to the floor.
The other thing is that this pain started so suddenly being I had no symptoms of pain. I was thinking maybe I strained something because at work there are large metal trash cans like 50 gallon size that I lift. Usually most of the weight is just the can itself that may have plastic and paper items in it. I suppose I may have to get a physician to check this for me if it continues much longer. Do you suppose a GP doctor could assess this problem?
Hello.
Thank you for your response.
Many a times, a pathology in a joint such as the hip or knee will present with pain in the surrounding areas without any pain in the actual site. This pain is called referred pain.
Since you have mentioned a history of lifting weights and sudden onset pain, ligament or muscle strain has to be looked for too.
You will need to be examined by a doctor. A GP will do as well but an Orthopedic specialist would be better.
Feel free to discuss further.
Regards.
Patient replied :
Okay that sounds great but funny thing is this morning the pain has all but subsided which is typical for my lower back problem. So how would an Orthopedists look for a reason for this pain I get? Or what kind od tests would most likely be sed ? The other thing is what I described as a cold with fever could possibly been other than just a cold and I jst described what I seemed to feel like. So I am not entirely sure the pain was a result or symptom of what ever I caught?
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
You had a viral infection, and the development of fever can also lead to generalized myalgia. The only way to differentiate it from other pathology is, that the myalgia with completely resolve immediately on taking Advil or when the fever subsides. If it is due to a ligament strain or muscle pull, it will take a long time to heal.
Since you already have a history of lifting weights, a chronic back pain can be expected. I will advise you to get physiotherapy of your back done next time you develop such pain. It helps in people who are prone to lifting heavy weights. The pain in your groin can definitely be due to the referred pain.
If the pain has subsided completely, then an orthopaedic opinion won't be necessary as of now.
And coming to your last question, viral cold or fever or any viral infection can present with an overall myalgia, it also produces fatigue and the pain is mostly in the lower back. Have you recovered from the cold completely? Do you have fever currently? If not it is unlikely to be anything else.
Regards.