Since 1995 - Non Profit Healthcare Advice

Knee pain

04/24/2008

Question:

A few days after spring break i went to go play basketball at my gym and i have been having a problem with my knee before when my knee gave out and it felt like my two bones smashed each other and my knee cap popped out of place. I end up on the ground and my knee swells up like a grapefruit, or even bigger. I am afraid to go to the hospital or a physician, because of surgery and the cost. Although I did not go to the physician, my knee is better with pain killers, bengay, Ice, and a little of my own rehabilitation by going to the gym after a month of the injury. I am afraid to back to playing basketball again, because of that pain. my knee has been feeling better, but my knee felt more proned to popping again. i`m making my knee stronger, but I still have the pain on the front of my knee and if i kneel down with a little pressure on my knee the pain comes back. what would all be the choices of curing my knee and making it stronger. any kind of medicine, working, and if last surgery. hope to hear your answers, Thank You.

Answer:

The first thing you need to do is to have an accurate cause of the pain in the knee.  This type of pain can range from tendinits or bursitis (which can be handled with conservative management) versus a cartilage or ligament tear (which may need surgery) or a dislocating patella (which can be handled with leg strengthening or if this fails, surgery).  It is worth the cost of a physician visit to get an accurate diagnosis.

For more information:

Go to the Sports Medicine health topic.