Hard lump on my right kneecap. Going crazy, no doctors because of lockdown

[Worlding101]

I know I'm supposed to go straight to the doctor but because of the global pandemic, all doctors' clinics have been suspended here in my city until further notice.

Our city went on lockdown earlier this week so I just chilled at my place to prevent the spread. I was watching netflix on the sofa in a tuck sitting position (folded my knees towards me) then I noticed the lump on my right kneecap (upper part of knee). There's absolutely nothing there on the left one.

If I stand up, it's not visible. However if I search hard enough for it, I can feel something there.

It's hard as a rock, half the size of a golf ball, not movable, feels smooth, almost rounded? It doesn't hurt. I don't think it's a cyst because it's not soft.
I'm scared it could be the big C of the bone. I know this kind of C is super rare (less than 1% cases) in adults (I'm 29M) but I still feel scared. Worse, I can't go to my doctor or an ortho because all clinics are in lockdown except for emergency cases.

A part of me wants to think that this is just a prominent bony part of my knee, but with HA, I am going crazy.

Can someone please tell me how to cope until our clinics here are open. It might take another month before I can have access to outpatient services so until then, I don't want to drive myself mad.

 

[Cuchculan]

Did you hit your knee off of anything? Can be one of the worst places to hit. Along with the elbow. Our knees have a solid lump on them. The right knee would have it more to the right side. Left to the left side. The outer section of each knee. Feels like a ball to touch. Maybe ice it for about 10 minutes. Do this a few times during the day. See it makes any difference at all. The knee is a very boney place. But what is on one knee should also be on the other knee.

 

[Worlding101]

Thank you for your reply. No, I am certain I did not hit my knee in any way. I forgot to mention I'm a runner. Although that doesn't have any impact on my knee as far as I'm concerned. I don't know if that lump has been there all this time or I just noticed it at the wrong place at the wrong time. I am this close to going to the ER, but then there's the coronavirus issue.

 

[FinneousRex]

Think about if you went to the ER and found out there was nothing wrong, then realized you exposed yourself to this coronavirus disease... is that worth it? I’m not a doctor but if it’s just a bump on your knee, it can wait a few weeks until this crisis goes away. Honestly it may have always been there but since you were on lockdown with nothing else to do you found it. Our anxiety tries to find things to fixate on.

 

[Worlding101]

Think about if you went to the ER and found out there was nothing wrong, then realized you exposed yourself to this coronavirus disease... is that worth it? I’m not a doctor but if it’s just a bump on your knee, it can wait a few weeks until this crisis goes away. Honestly it may have always been there but since you were on lockdown with nothing else to do you found it. Our anxiety tries to find things to fixate on.

Thank you for your response. Yes, I agree that it's because of this lockdown that I may have found it as I had nothing else to do but watch Netflix. Ugh. I hate this. I really hope this is all over soon.

 

[Bobnnat]

Your fear of bone cancer appears totally unnecessary. Primary BC is incredibly rare and not worth thinking about. If you had another primary cancer that could spread, BUT my goodness if that were the case, you’d know it since that would mean that cancer had been around long enough to spread. That is NOT the case. Finneous likely has it right. Staying at home, frequently bored our minds go places and yes, we start noticing things we wouldn’t have the time to when were typically running around with our regular lives. That goes 10x more for folks like us.

 

[Worlding101]

Your fear of bone cancer appears totally unnecessary. Primary BC is incredibly rare and not worth thinking about. If you had another primary cancer that could spread, BUT my goodness if that were the case, you’d know it since that would mean that cancer had been around long enough to spread. That is NOT the case. Finneous likely has it right. Staying at home, frequently bored our minds go places and yes, we start noticing things we wouldn’t have the time to when were typically running around with our regular lives. That goes 10x more for folks like us.

Thank you for your response. You guys have managed to talk some sense into me. I know I shouldn't do this, but I've been Googling like crazy since I couldn't get any real medical help amidst this virus and lockdown situation. I'm trying to keep myself off by being busy but I can't since everywhere else is shut down and we're not allowed to go out of our house unless it's necessary. Talk about the best time to have health anxiety.

 

[chickentender]

Can you call a nurse line to speak to someone about it?
I am thin and at times, I have thought that bones were lumps because they would start hurting and our bodies are not perfectly symmetrical. So, for example, I would sometimes feel like I had a bruise under one arm, when I looked, it also looked a bit purple! I showed my doctor and he told me it was just my bone. I can't feel that bone under my other armpit, so I thought that it was a hard, immovable lump. I once thought that a bone in my neck was a hard swollen lymph node because I had never noticed it before and one day, when I was scrutinizing myself in the mirror during a bout of anxiety, I noticed it for the first time. I showed a doctor and they told me it was a bone. It looks asymmetrical though.
Try to stop sitting on your knees. I am in that habit and it causes all kinds of bizarre issues with my knees and lower legs. If you feel discomfort, you are more likely to scrutinize the area or assume the worst from the pain or other sensations this causes.
I suggest calling to speak to someone before running to any healthcare setting at this point. A professional will be able to walk through your symptoms with you to determine what is best fr you to do.
Also, not being able to easily access help is really making my anxiety awful, so I feel you.

 

[mollyfin]

Bone cancer is rare and also painful - I would think by the time you had a tumor big enough to be seen prominently, you'd be in significant pain. Seems like runners get all kinds of odd things wrong in their legs, including strange lumps. I wouldn't panic just yet.

 

[Worlding101]

Can you call a nurse line to speak to someone about it?
I am thin and at times, I have thought that bones were lumps because they would start hurting and our bodies are not perfectly symmetrical. So, for example, I would sometimes feel like I had a bruise under one arm, when I looked, it also looked a bit purple! I showed my doctor and he told me it was just my bone. I can't feel that bone under my other armpit, so I thought that it was a hard, immovable lump. I once thought that a bone in my neck was a hard swollen lymph node because I had never noticed it before and one day, when I was scrutinizing myself in the mirror during a bout of anxiety, I noticed it for the first time. I showed a doctor and they told me it was a bone. It looks asymmetrical though.
Try to stop sitting on your knees. I am in that habit and it causes all kinds of bizarre issues with my knees and lower legs. If you feel discomfort, you are more likely to scrutinize the area or assume the worst from the pain or other sensations this causes.
I suggest calling to speak to someone before running to any healthcare setting at this point. A professional will be able to walk through your symptoms with you to determine what is best fr you to do.
Also, not being able to easily access help is really making my anxiety awful, so I feel you.

Thank you for your reply.

It's unfortunate that I cannot get access to a health line right now because of the virus lockdown. I don't think it's also a thing here. But thank you for some of your thoughts on how our bodies can be assymetrical as well. I've had my fair share of lumps in the past (esp. the ones behind my ear) which turned out to be a prominent lymph node. I don't really use my legs to sit on, so I'm wondering where this has been all my life.

Bone cancer is rare and also painful - I would think by the time you had a tumor big enough to be seen prominently, you'd be in significant pain. Seems like runners get all kinds of odd things wrong in their legs, including strange lumps. I wouldn't panic just yet.

Thank you for your response. Yes, your answer makes so much sense and believe me, I've given much thought about it before posting here. But HA is such a beast that I couldn't stand it anymore given that I could not get medical access due to the global health crisis. I wouldn't want to expose myself to the virus out there nor would I want to add to the burden of our hardworking professionals. Thank you again.

 

[mollyfin]

I know what you mean. Not being able to talk to my doctor right now makes everything worse! (But he's in his 80s so he really should be staying home.)

 

[Worlding101]

I know what you mean. Not being able to talk to my doctor right now makes everything worse! (But he's in his 80s so he really should be staying home.)

same, my mother is in her 60s so we’re allnin the same boat. I really just wish this to be over.

 

[wildnm]

I know I'm supposed to go straight to the doctor but because of the global pandemic, all doctors' clinics have been suspended here in my city until further notice.

Our city went on lockdown earlier this week so I just chilled at my place to prevent the spread. I was watching netflix on the sofa in a tuck sitting position (folded my knees towards me) then I noticed the lump on my right kneecap (upper part of knee). There's absolutely nothing there on the left one.

If I stand up, it's not visible. However if I search hard enough for it, I can feel something there.

It's hard as a rock, half the size of a golf ball, not movable, feels smooth, almost rounded? It doesn't hurt. I don't think it's a cyst because it's not soft.
I'm scared it could be the big C of the bone. I know this kind of C is super rare (less than 1% cases) in adults (I'm 29M) but I still feel scared. Worse, I can't go to my doctor or an ortho because all clinics are in lockdown except for emergency cases.

A part of me wants to think that this is just a prominent bony part of my knee, but with HA, I am going crazy.

Can someone please tell me how to cope until our clinics here are open. It might take another month before I can have access to outpatient services so until then, I don't want to drive myself mad.

Doubt it's C. Dontbsound like it way your describing it

 

[Worlding101]

Doubt it's C. Dontbsound like it way your describing it

Thank you for some reassurance while we all wait for this global nightmare to end.

 

[wildnm]

Are you on medications for your anxiety or do you do therapy for it. Lotta good stuff on YouTube about retraining your mind from negative thoughts to positive. Don't mess with self hypnosis crap. It don't work. Makes stuff harder to deal with

 

[Worlding101]

Are you on medications for your anxiety or do you do therapy for it. Lotta good stuff on YouTube about retraining your mind from negative thoughts to positive. Don't mess with self hypnosis crap. It don't work. Makes stuff harder to deal with

no I’m not on anxiety medications. I’ll try to look into those other videos you’ve mentioned. I’m really scared

 

[Worlding101]

Hello, just an update:

I was able to avail this telemedicine service, an online consultation with a doctor. I relayed to her my issue and sent her photos. She thinks it's a benign outgrowth of bone. She said as far as she's concerned, it sounds harmless because there's no pain, restriction of movement, or changes in the color of the skin in the area where the lump is.

However, she said that after the lockdown, I should get an x-ray to clinically determine the etiology and consult with an ortho to be sure.

At first I was a bit relieved, but the fact that she said I should get an x-ray and watch out for size changes, swelling, pain, or restriction of movement in the knee, scares me. I feel that there is still that possibility of the big C

 

[wildnm]

Hello, just an update:

I was able to avail this telemedicine service, an online consultation with a doctor. I relayed to her my issue and sent her photos. She thinks it's a benign outgrowth of bone. She said as far as she's concerned, it sounds harmless because there's no pain, restriction of movement, or changes in the color of the skin in the area where the lump is.

However, she said that after the lockdown, I should get an x-ray to clinically determine the etiology and consult with an ortho to be sure.

At first I was a bit relieved, but the fact that she said I should get an x-ray and watch out for size changes, swelling, pain, or restriction of movement in the knee, scares me. I feel that there is still that possibility of the big C

Seriously doubt it would be cancer. You can look it up on webmd.com
Dont overthink stuff.

 

[bin_tenn]

You can look it up on webmd.com

That's generally not the best suggestion for an anxiety sufferer, but I do agree it sounds benign, as the doctor said.

Hello, just an update:

I was able to avail this telemedicine service, an online consultation with a doctor. I relayed to her my issue and sent her photos. She thinks it's a benign outgrowth of bone. She said as far as she's concerned, it sounds harmless because there's no pain, restriction of movement, or changes in the color of the skin in the area where the lump is.

However, she said that after the lockdown, I should get an x-ray to clinically determine the etiology and consult with an ortho to be sure.

At first I was a bit relieved, but the fact that she said I should get an x-ray and watch out for size changes, swelling, pain, or restriction of movement in the knee, scares me. I feel that there is still that possibility of the big C

Of course she recommended you get an x-ray and follow up with an ortho, and to watch for changes. Any doctor will likely tell you that. It was a telemedicine appointment, so she couldn't physically examine you. However, nothing in medicine is guaranteed, and even a physical examination can yield no apparent evidence of a deeper cause while one does in fact exist.

Do you need to worry? I personally don't think so. Is it worth following up with an in-person examination when you get around to it? Sure, if it's a new problem for you. There's nothing wrong in being proactive about your health.

 

[Jgriffin]

Hello, just an update:

I was able to avail this telemedicine service, an online consultation with a doctor. I relayed to her my issue and sent her photos. She thinks it's a benign outgrowth of bone. She said as far as she's concerned, it sounds harmless because there's no pain, restriction of movement, or changes in the color of the skin in the area where the lump is.

However, she said that after the lockdown, I should get an x-ray to clinically determine the etiology and consult with an ortho to be sure.

At first I was a bit relieved, but the fact that she said I should get an x-ray and watch out for size changes, swelling, pain, or restriction of movement in the knee, scares me. I feel that there is still that possibility of the big C

Her recommendations are normal. I know what your feeling though. Any doctor would have said that however.