Hello, I am a 26 year old male. I haven't seen a doctor about this yet since I do not have insurance and I was told the MRI alone would cost me $700 dollars. The only problem I am having is weird since my knees feel normal, however only if I play basketball, the next day my knees swell up badly. I ice my knees and after a week or so the swelling goes away, then my knees ache for about a month or so. I can walk and do a light jog normally with np, however only when I play basketball is when it gets bad.

I love basketball and meet a lot of friends from the sport so I do not wish to give it up like all of the other things I have been forced to give up in my life. I was curious to know if I do need knee surgery, will it effect the way I play from now on? I ask since I hear about how some athletes never play the same after surgery, so I was wondering if that was only phsycological or if the surgery prevented them from "being their best". If I decide to get checked out and I need surgery, I just want to make sure I am not worse than what I am now. Thanks

Oh I forgot to add that I have always been athletic for most of my life. I think I have always weighed a lot more than others my size, but people say it is probably because of muscle. Even when I was considered skinny at the age of 21 I was 205 pounds (6'2" height) I gained a lot of weight at one point and was up to 260, that was when my knee pain was really bad. So I worked out hard at the gym again and lost 25 pounds so I am at 235 now. After playing basketball again the pain wasn't as bad as last time, in fact I thought that the swelling was gone for good but obviously it came back. Another reason I haven't gone to the doctor is because I figured it was a weight problem so I am trying to lose more weight to see if that will fix the problem.

Hi Jason,

I'm sorry to hear of your situation as I know what it is like to give up a passion in life. I used to dance but had to stop once my knees became too painful. However, I was able to get arthroscopic knee surgery and soon after returned to dancing. However, about three years later the pain returned and I had to get knee replacement.

Now I just recently had the knee replacement so I really have no idea if I will ever return to dancing again. I know there are some websites that tell you what you will and will not be able to do after surgery. I don't know if basketball is a do or don't but you should look into that. You can do a search on "Knee surgery recovery restrictions" and see what comes up.

Have you ever been diagnosed with arthritis? You may have osteoarthritis which is caused by wear and tear or an injury to the joint. You may end up only needing an anti-inflammatory medication which will help reduce the inflammation and pain. If not treated, it can get worse over time. Without having insurance, I know how difficult it can be to get the proper treatment but considering your health issues, you might want to get emergency medical assistance through your state. I'm glad that you are losing weight as it is important not to put more stress on your knee.
Good luck to you.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Man life is so crazy. Back when I was capable of playing everyday I had to work instead, now I can have all of the free time I want and have this injury. I bet money if I still had to work all of the time with no free time, my knees would be fine.

I had to have extensive surgory on my left knee in 2001 because I jumped out of a tree and landed on the concrete and it shattered my left knee cap, I went to a+e/emergency and had xrays taken, and ended up having a knee replacement, I have always had problems with my joints, and was diagnosed with arthritus whilst still in my childhood. I have since been told that the cartilidge in my joints is eating itself (which has a complicated name but I can never remember it!)

I still have to use crutches a lot of the time, as I also have arthritus.

I guess I am lucky because I live in the UK and I get my treatment for my health for free. Good ole' NHS!!

Please take care.

Leaxxx