Single-leg squat still hurts below my kneecap

If you’re doing something that is causing you pain and is secondary to a previous injury I would stop that which is causing you distress until you receive an okay from PT or the doctor. I presume you’re in college and football is your sport? If you’re working with team doctors and trainers I’d make sure I’m keeping them abreast of your progress and any abnormalities you’re experiencing in rehab process. Good luck!

I’m 21 and injured my knee playing football a few months ago after a twist/fall.
My MRI showed a thinned but intact ACL, patellar bone edema and some fluid around the knee, but no ACL rupture or meniscus tear.
I’ve improved quite a bit with rehab. Walking, cycling and stairs are mostly fine now, and I can even run briefly without much pain.
The one thing that still causes pain almost immediately is a single-leg squat. The pain is very localized right at the bottom edge of the kneecap / just below it.
I’ve done strengthening exercises and several TECAR sessions, but I still haven’t been given a clear explanation for what is causing that specific pain. My orthopedist now wants another MRI to compare with the first one.
Has anyone here had a similar pattern where normal activities improved but single-leg squats still caused pain below the kneecap?
If so, what was eventually diagnosed, and what helped you recover?
I can also share my MRI report and a photo showing the exact painful spot.

Hello @him4869,

I combined your discussion with your first discussion titled:

"Single-leg squat still hurts below my kneecap"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/single-leg-squat-still-hurts-below-my-kneecap/

As @jenatsky mentioned, an activity that is causing pain in a spot with a known injury is a good sign to pull back on that activity. Are you able to do normal squats? While I have not had an ACL tear, I have had my knee replaced due to other injuries and I enjoy working out quite a bit. It was always my understanding that static single leg squats are an exercise that puts an incredible amount of stress on the knee joint and ligaments. Dynamic moving lunges were said to be less strenuous on your joints. Have you scheduled your MRI to confirm your injury/recovery? Have you been able to talk to a physical therapist about this one exercise in particular and to find an alternative?