My right knee has been bothering me for about a year now.

Was an on/off thing before, like after strenuous activity, like running or jumping. Almost nothing when I'm walking.

I can feel some kind of strain underneath the knee cap when I try to put alot of weight on it, say when I'm going down stairs and step down with my left foot, leaving all the strain on the right. It feels like it wants to give out.

This past week it's been chronic. And quite painful. If I sit for a little bit, the knee will want to "crack" when I straighten it out. I've been trying not to crack it, but it feels like it hurts more if I don't crack it. But I feel like I might be wearin' somethin' out by constantly doing that.

I set up a doctor's appointment for Monday.

I went to a bike shop to pick up a mountain bike for leisure and a cheaper way of getting around. I took a test ride, my knee felt a little weird with the cycling motion, but it didn't hurt. Decided not to throw down $400 before I find out what the doctor says about it.

I'm 21.

This is some shit right here...

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Heil Frasbee

You run sometimes, right? Stop doing that. Knees wear out. Cycling will be better for you if that's the case.

And take care of that knee. You'll need it when you have to get down on it to ask Amy to marry you.

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I think all women really want is to be proven wrong about men.

The doctor will probably Xray your knee or maybe do an MRI. I've had problems with my knees for years. Lately, the left one has been becoming dislocated (this was my GOOD knee, too). Both of my knees crunch and crack when I bend them. It turns out that this is because the groove that the kneecap is supposed to slide in is more shallow that for most people, and the kneecap slides in and out strangely. As they do for most knee issues, they suggested a bunch of exercises for me to do to strengthen the knees. So far, they still hurt.

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Yikes, xrays and MRI's??

Aren't those expensive?

Giga: ... I don't even know how to respond to that.

Ridiculous...jerk.

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Heil Frasbee

Yes. Don't you have insurance?

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Yeah. Does the insurance cover it all? Or will I pay out of pocket...or does it depend on your plan...?

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Heil Frasbee

Oh, you know I'm kidding, you cranky boob.

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I think all women really want is to be proven wrong about men.

If you are seeing your general practitioner, I am guessing he/she will refer you out to a specialist. How much your insurance will cover will depend on your plan. Ask your primary care physician if they think the specialist will just prescribe exercises, because you can get a lot of info on the 'net about those.

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I used to experience some pain around my knees and ankles. I bought arch supports (the things you put in your shoes to exaggerate the concavity of your feet). It was amazing, the pain went away within 3 days to a week if I recall. You might want to try that, they are only around $20 or so.

I'm not doctor, but this is not that kind of pain.

Just today while driving I ended up shouting profanities because simply pressing the gas was enough to trigger a quick shot of pain.

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Heil Frasbee

Welcome to the club.

Go to your doctor and ask questions! (If the doc is under 40 yrs old, pulling out a little pocket notebook will probably get you bumped up a couple notches on his "respect" scale. There are a lot of people complaining of joint pains just to get special privileges at work or school, so one of the doc's unspoken questions will be "Is this guy trying to pull a fast one?".)

You will almost certainly be referred for imaging - x-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. Maybe all 3. In fact, if you're NOT referred, I'd ask "Why?". Call it "defensive diagnostics" if you wish but at the very least the imaging will rule out some pretty rare, but potentially very serious conditions. Things like bone cancer and ALS. Once the dreadful stuff has been eliminated, everybody can relax a little and put careful thought into diagnosing and treating your condition.

Regardless of what the final determination is, this is NOT something that should be ignored at your age.

Dale

the knee is one of those parts that if you injure and it doesnt heal up right, recurring problems can be a serious issue a bit like the shoulder and back, i advise you to go to the doctor ASAP, but from the sounds of it sounds like you tore something, in extreme cases you might need surgery but since i am not a ****ing doctor....i dont know

dont feel too bad, i have had 5 shoulder dislocations and 27 broken bones by now and i am only ****ing 23... i heard cotton wool is comfy

Now, that's some shit right there.

I was just thinking yesterday at work, that at least I have my leg. There's plenty of people, soldiers and such who lose that shit. Y'know, tryin' to be all positive about it.

That same night I talked to my girlfriend, who joked that they might have to amputate it...

She can be a jerk sometimes.

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Heil Frasbee

you have the right attitude mate, i consider myself lucky compared to others - at least i have a ****ing fully functioning body most of the time

dont worry, at best you will just need to rest up, at worst you might need day surgery along with a 6 week rest, should be alright, go see that doctor

I think the cracking may indicate a problem with the bones rubbing together or sliding incorrectly, but yeah, see your doctor. If he questions whether you are having pain when your knees are cracking, fire him, because he is an idiot. Cracking knees are easily audible and a sign that things are not normal, especially at your age.

zro - OUCH! Are you particularly accident-prone, or maybe just reckless? I have never broken a bone in my whole life.

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