Knee problems - Knee & Hip Problems Message Board

PixieGoddess · 06-13-2005, 08:04 PM

Hello! Im new to HealthBoards so if I'm posting in the wrong place please let me know. (This is my first post ever here)

Anyway I have been having knee pain for years and years. When I am walking it sometimes goes out one me, lots of times going up and down stairs. When I move it it makes a cracking sound, and you can feel it if you have your hand on my knee when I move it. If I sit "Indian style" my knee locks up and I have to have someone help me move it. Sometimes it swells up but not all the time, and most every day I have a throbbing pain in it at some point during the day.

I talked to my Dr. about this he did a MRI on it and said nothing looks wrong. That was 4 years ago and It still does it!

Any suggestions? anyone have the same problems? Should I see another Dr? Am I facing surgery sometime? Any help would be appreicated!

Thank you in advance.

PS I'm a 29 year old female.

cartjen · 06-13-2005, 08:09 PM

Hi

Question - do you run or do sports that weigh down on your joints?

I used to run, and had what sounds like the same thing. My knee still cracks when I walk up stairs. When I told my sister of the swelling, sheis a sports doctor, she told me that it was a case of Runner's Knee...what happens is that my quad was pulling on my knee differently than my hamstring was - they weren't evenly pulling on the joint. The cartilege wore down, and swelling and pain results. Goes away and comes back periodically. If this is the problem, then the key is getting both muscles to work together. If you can, see a physiotherapist. If not, then ask your doctor if he knows of exercises you can do.

I hope this is helpful. I wouldn't worry too much about the problem, but if you do run you may want to find a different activity that places less strain on your knees.

PixieGoddess · 06-13-2005, 08:18 PM

No I have never been a runner, and it seems like Im in pain all the time now.

Thank for your answers I do appericate it!

cartjen · 06-13-2005, 08:38 PM

I would suggest getting a referral to a physiotherapist or a kinesiologist who know lots about joints and bones and muscles and things and can probably help.

Until then, as my sister says, ice it and rest it.

Hope it feels better!!

DX- · 06-13-2005, 11:27 PM

HI Pixie,

Cartjen has given you some good advice.

Have you tried any of the symptoms research websites? Here are a couple of good ones:

www.WebMD.com Symptom Solver

www.Intelihealth.com -- from Harvard Medical School (actually -- here's the complete link -- it's kinda hard to find:
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?t=25417&p=~br,IHW|~st,23872|~r,WSI HW000|~b,*|

There are others listed on diagKNOWsis.org too.

You might have a better idea of how to ask the doctor questions if you do some of the research before you go back.

Best of luck,