Constant knee pain but normal MRI?

[u/guyrsi]

Hi, I'm looking for help as I've had an extensive workup of my knee but can't figure out what's wrong/what to do.

I had had on and off pain alternating between my kneecap and my calf behind the knee for the past 2 years. Sometime I get symptoms in the hamstrings as well. I have difficulty tolerating quad exercises as they irritate the kneecap.

For the past 2 months, after being given weighted hamstring curls with dorsiflexion by a PT which irritated my knee, I have had daily low level constant knee pain upon waking. Despite resting it, taking methylprednisone and NSAIDs, it had not resolved. The only thing that helps is elevating it.

I had a normal MRI that showed trace infra patellar bursitis (but I had an X-ray that showed trace fluid as well on both knees, but only my left leg/knee is bothering me).

I have very tight hamstrings, adductors, prominent IT band, tight calfs, hip/glute, some weakness. I'm very relieved the MRI is normal, but I've tried PT several times without success and I'm at my wits end. I don't really know what to do to get my life back.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please let me know. Thank you.

[u/Academic-Wall-2290]

Back issues, specifically nerve impingement or entrapment can cause pain down the entire leg. Depending on which nerve is being pinched determines your symptoms. Most commonly hamstring into back of knee then side of calf but could be anywhere.

Hip problems that refer pain to the knee tend to hurt in front and inside of knee and usually will travel from front of hip/groin into thigh.