I've heard of "Truckers Knee" but I have pain in just one of my quads - Is this normal in trucking?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BeHereNow97, Jun 10, 2021.

  1. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    I plan to live forever, you ain't getting rid of me that easy!
     
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  3. NewbiusErectus

    NewbiusErectus Medium Load Member

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    I have something similar, maybe the same. It started out as numbness in the left quad above the knee, then over time eventually progressed to a burning type of pain. But in my case, the more I walked the worse it got. The longer the day, the worse it got.

    So I did the internet thing , and the thing that came up most was a compressed sciatic nerve. (Meralgia paresthetica is the official name)

    Tight clothing was listed one of the causes, but I don’t wear tight clothing.. i figured the belt might be a bit snug to hold the pants up. Plus, wallet, keys and junk in my pockets was probably pulling the belt downward around my hips.

    So I got a pair of suspenders , loosened the belt a notch and poof, pain gone.

    The numbness is still there, but all that fiery pain is gone no matter how much I walk.

    I guess it can take some time to decompress, so we shall see if the numbness goes away.
     
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  4. BeHereNow97

    BeHereNow97 Heavy Load Member

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    I got the wrong test strips by mistake. That's what was causing the error message. It's all working fine now.

    I got home an hour or so ago, ate a banana and 15 minutes later tested myself. Came back 131. Don't know how much a banana affects those kinds of things.

    I'll go ahead and monitor it throughout the week, when I get up in the morning and then 2 hours after dinner. I'm glad you mentioned this Moose1958, even if my blood sugar levels come out alright I think it's a good idea to know how to do this and check on them periodically every once in a while, to ensure that I'm staying healthy.
     
  5. BeHereNow97

    BeHereNow97 Heavy Load Member

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    It's funny you mention this. So a year ago I got a rash on my butt (I'm a clean person, stuff happens) and the doctor prescribed some medicine and said to wear tight "wicking" underwear as loose underwear could cause more rashes. So I did that and it was after that, that I FIRST noticed the pain in my left quad. I saw a different doctor who told me to stop wearing the tight "wicking" underwear and to go back to my loose boxer underwear, because tight clothes can cause the pain that was happening in my left quad.

    So I switched to loose underwear and the pain got better but the numbness has pretty much stayed. The "pins and needles" feeling has come and went depending on the day. I guess it's been around 9 months now since I switched back to looser underwear.

    I was off work for a few months earlier this year and this "pins and needles" feeling went away a bit (but was still there sometimes), but now that I started back work the "pins and needles" type of feeling has come back strong. I'm wearing dickies work pants and a belt whereas before I largely wore sweatpants and gym shorts (please don't hate me I know the forum hates sweatpants/gym shorts lol). I wonder if that's playing a role.

    The past week I've been leaving my wallet/phone in my jacket in the truck and I think I'll continue to keep my pockets empty, even my side pockets. Maybe that will help.

    Question for you @NewbiusErectus - How long have you been wearing your loosened belt and your suspenders for? I'de be very interested in hearing how long it takes for the numbness to go away for you, if it ever does.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2021
  6. NewbiusErectus

    NewbiusErectus Medium Load Member

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    It’s been about 3-4 months. But the numbness has been going on at least a few years. So I’m gonna give it a few more months, then see a doc if it doesn’t go away. It really doesn’t bother me physically, I rarely even think about it. But when that burning pain started, it was killing me and it kept getting worse.
     
  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Bananas have a moderate glycemic index. However, if after eating one and have a blood sugar of 131 you are most likely at a minimum pre-diabetic. Non-diabetics rarely have a blood sugar over 100. As I said, I am not a Physician so don't listen to me, go make an appt with a Physician and/or a CDE! I am lucky to have both plus a great neurologist!
     
  8. stacks

    stacks Road Train Member

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    Trucking is definitely hard on
    The body the left knee always go first that’s the Clutching Leg , the pins and needles and numbness in left buttock indicates sciatica or disc trouble ,
     
  9. sevenmph

    sevenmph Road Train Member

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    According to a back cracker pub I read, American men have a way higher percentage of back pain, and are the only people that sit on their wallet. Haven't sat on a wallet in 20+ years.

    On another note, I do have trucker's knee. I just recently discovered this. The pain has gotten worse over the last 7-8 months. There are some things I can do for some comfort. However, I'm reading that getting in shape, exercise, and stretching before driving, along with chiropractic care is the best way to deal with this.
     
  10. Snow Hater

    Snow Hater Medium Load Member

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    For pain just about anywhere the first doc I go to is my Chiropractor. I occasionally get the pain and burning you describe. I drive a stick. I sit upright as previously described. I see my chiropractor as soon as I get home and if needed. The day before I go back out. Pain goes away, mostly.
    Exercise, exercise, exercise and stretch.
    For low back, sciatica one of the most important things you can do is strengthen your abs.
     
  11. moose2517

    moose2517 Light Load Member

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    You are right on point with the wallet. I had mine in my back pocket driving for about 20 something miles to Norcross from 041. My right leg started tingling then started going numb. I pulled over and took my wallet out. No more problems. Probably was sitting on a nerve.
     
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