Transient major pain

So, a couple nights ago, I simply rolled over in bed, and felt a twinge in my knee. Uh oh.

When I woke up the next morning, I had awful pain on the outside of my knee (the lateral collateral ligament?). I couldn't even bend me knee without it hurting. Hip internal rotation was also a no go. I walked around stiff-legged for the whole morning, and cancelled plans for my deadlifting session. I started making plans to see a doctor -- there would be a lot of PT and recovery time ahead of me.

I felt a bit better by the end of the day, and could again move comfortably. By the next morning (today), it was pretty much gone. I'm back to doing full squats without pain.

So, I thought I had an injury on the order of a sprain or tendonitis, but the pain disappeared in a couple of days. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to me, but it's one of the most dramatic. What does this mean? What is going on?

Maybe trigger points in the muscles of the legs somewhere?   I thought I did something to my knee (which couldn't be bc I didn't do anything damaging) but when I started massaging out the knots in my quads my knee felt 100% fine.   Here is the book I refer to:    Trigger Point Therapy.

Just my own personal experience, YMMV, yadda yadda.

Hi James,

Glad to see it is moving better. Regardless of potential pathology (meniscus), it is important to maintain full range of motion through the knee. Take care of the myofascial elements i.e. Trigger point therapies, self myofascial release etc.

Keep moving! If you are getting the "catching, sharp, stabbing, giving out" pains - may want to go see someone. If you are getting around pretty well, without those sensations - keep working the tissues and range of motion. 

Thought I'd give an update on this: after getting an MRI and confirming no meniscus tear, I was diagnosed with having inflammation of the meniscus. Prescription: taking anti-inflammatories, can resume all activities at full intensity.