Pain in the knee while at altitude on commercial flights?

[RedSeaDiver2]

This is probably an unusual issue. In the last 8 months I have been doing a lot of long haul (8 hour +) flying - and I have been noticing that when at altitude I get pain in the left knee - that resolves when we land. Is likely to be a sign that I might have a bubble trapped in the knee or something totally unrelated to diving? If it is a bubble then I have been carrying it for a couple of years.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

This is probably an unusual issue. In the last 8 months I have been doing a lot of long haul (8 hour +) flying - and I have been noticing that when at altitude I get pain in the left knee - that resolves when we land. Is likely to be a sign that I might have a bubble trapped in the knee or something totally unrelated to diving? If it is a bubble then I have been carrying it for a couple of years.

Are you diving before you fly?

Best regards,
DDM

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

Are you diving before you fly?

Best regards,
DDM

No - hadn't dived for months before flying - it is just weird that I only get this when flying!

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

No - hadn't dived for months before flying - it is just weird that I only get this when flying!

And the pain is in the knee joint? Are these commercial flights? Are you operating the aircraft or riding in it? Have you been bent in that knee before?

 

[Sascha314]

Completely a different thought: Can/ do you stretch your leg while flying?

I notice that if I cannot fully stretch my leg, so I can move my knee and have a zero angle, I often get pain.
Noticed this especially when I got reseated to a Bulkhead row for a 10h flight - was a horror for me. (No diving involved in my case).

I actually have nevwr investigated why, and in daily life I have no issues. This event is also like 13 years ago.

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

And the pain is in the knee joint? Are these commercial flights? Are you operating the aircraft or riding in it? Have you been bent in that knee before?

Commercial flights on major airlines, as a passenger. I haven't had a bend in that knee before but have had bends in other joints.

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

Completely a different thought: Can/ do you stretch your leg while flying?

I notice that if I cannot fully stretch my leg, so I can move my knee and have a zero angle, I often get pain.
Noticed this especially when I got reseated to a Bulkhead row for a 10h flight - was a horror for me. (No diving involved in my case).

I actually have nevwr investigated why, and in daily life I have no issues. This event is also like 13 years ago.

I often get up and walk around - a lot of the flights are day time flights.

Paying extra for a bulkhead row is often being conned I think - on some aircraft you get a lot of extra legroom, but others you get less.

I don't have any daily issues either - just when I am flying.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

That's interesting. First thought is that this is positional/musculoskeletal, especially if you're tall and having to adapt to an airline seat. Second thought is that you have some subclinical arthritis that's aggravated by pressure change. Either way you might benefit from seeing an orthopedist who specializes in knees.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

That's interesting. First thought is that this is positional/musculoskeletal, especially if you're tall and having to adapt to an airline seat. Second thought is that you have some subclinical arthritis that's aggravated by pressure change. Either way you might benefit from seeing an orthopedist who specializes in knees.

Best regards,
DDM

OK many thanks! I'm 6'1" so definitely on the taller side and yes planes weren't built for us taller people!

 

[CycleCat]

I'll bet it has more to do with the cramped seating on most commercial flights than anything to do with altitude. By the time you get to altitude you have been sitting for awhile. You may move around more as you are preparing to land which eases the ache of sitting for so long.