Loic Bullock

Answers to patient questions

• Knee pain

  Hi, I think I sprained my left knee. So, I got a knee support from the pharmacy to support recovery. As a self-diagnosis, I have no problems walking, the inner side ligaments seem to be healing better, but even after 8 weeks, the knee still feel sore. I can swim, but not really run and certainly not do any contact sports. It's probably best to finally see a general doctor. After seeing a general doctor, in case it is necessary, what could be the possible next steps to investigate what is wrong with the knee?
  • If your knee has been sore for 8 weeks and hasn't fully healed despite using knee support, it's definitely a good idea to see a general doctor. Here are the possible next steps after seeing the doctor:
    
    1. **Physical Examination**: The doctor will likely start with a physical examination of your knee to assess the range of motion, stability, and specific areas of pain. They might perform specific tests to check for ligament or meniscus injuries.
    
    2. **Imaging Studies**:
    - **X-ray**: To rule out any fractures or bone-related issues.
    - **MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)**: This is the most effective way to eval...uate soft tissue injuries, such as ligament tears (like ACL or MCL), meniscus tears, or cartilage damage.
    
    3. **Referral to a Specialist**: Based on the initial assessment, your general doctor might refer you to an orthopedic specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
    
    4. **Possible Treatments**:
    - **Physical Therapy**: A physical therapist can provide exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve flexibility, and promote healing.
    - **Medications**: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
    - **Bracing or Orthotics**: Depending on the injury, a more specialized knee brace might be recommended to provide better support.
    - **Injections**: In some cases, corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections might be used to reduce inflammation and pain.
    
    5. **Surgical Options**: If conservative treatments are not effective and the injury is severe (such as a complete ligament tear or a significant meniscus injury), surgery might be considered. This could range from minimally invasive arthroscopy to more extensive reconstructive surgery.
    
    6. **Activity Modifications**: Until a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan are in place, you might need to avoid high-impact activities, such as running and contact sports, to prevent further injury.
    
    It's important to follow through with these steps to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, which will help in achieving a full recovery. Read more

    Loic Bullock

• General topics

  Hello. I have started to experience a lingering pain in my back on the right hand side. The pain seems to be located between my ribs and it restricts my mobility when I try to rotate/twist my upper body to the right. Heat packs seem to relieve the pain but only momentarily and even anti inflammatory do not help that much. Any advice on who I should see? This issue is starting to affect my quality of life. Many thanks.
  • It sounds like you're dealing with some significant discomfort. Seeing a healthcare professional like a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or even a primary care doctor would be a good first step. They can assess your symptoms, conduct any necessary tests, and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Don't hesitate to seek help, especially if it's impacting your daily life.

    Loic Bullock

• General topics

  Hi, I have a small Hernia (L5-S1) which pushes on the sciatic nerve. The pain is now extended to the knee/calf/foot. Which is the specialist I should get in contact with?
  • You should consult with a spine specialist or an orthopedic surgeon. They can evaluate your hernia at the L5-S1 level and its impact on the sciatic nerve, and recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include physical therapy, medications, or in some cases, surgery.

    Loic Bullock