22 years old: knee stiffness/pain

Posted , 7 users are following.

Hello all, 

I'm just wanting some advice regards to me knees. I have noticed that since I was about 16, every so often I've suffered from knee pain stiffness. I don't know if its due to a contribution of different factors or whether it's something else. Firstly, in the past few weeks I've been getting stiff knees/ slight pain (nothing I can't handle I just need to move around). In a lecture a couple of weeks ago I was countign down the minutes till the lecture ended so I could move my knee, I couldn't concentrate. It is exam time at the moment so I'm sat at my desk for a considerable amount of time, but arent most students? I ackowledge probably be a factor though

2 years ago, I was playing football, someone collided with me, it felt like my knee popped or something, and I had to have crutches for about 2 days as I couldn't apply much weight and it was swollen. A couple of months before that, during the first week of uni, I was dancing, being a typical drunk 'fresher' and suddenly it felt like my knee just twisted and I felll. When I was 18 (this would have been like a year before i started uni) similar to the lecture scenario, I went watching Michael Mcyntire and my knee was incredibly stiff. I kept having to stand up every so often, which probably made me look very odd and I;m guessing the people behind me weren't to happy haha. 

I'm not trying to make this a bigger deal than it is, it's like it comes and go's. Before the past few weeks, I have not really had any problems, I notice the odd bit of stiffness every now and again but thats it. Basically, I would very much appreictae some advice. Have my knees just had some bad luck, like the football injury (I'm pretty sure it happened while playing football when I was about 15'16 but im not fully certain) and other factors. Or do you think its worth getting it checked out? 

Thanks in advance smile 

 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    if it's been thats long, you should get itchecked out. There are so many things that could go erong with the knee. If the physio or doctor brushes you off and says you need rest, tell them you restrd the knee for so long and it hadn't helped. Seek more than one opinion. and definitely get an opinion of a surgeon. They know best
  • Posted

    Definitely go and get it checked out, it might be fixable, emphasise how long it has been going on and how badly it's affecting your life, good luck I hope you get it sorted. 
  • Posted

    Hi matthew

    My advice would definitely be to get it checked out. Go to the doctors with a detailed account of what's wrong, so it's harder for them to simply say something like 'rest it and take paracetamol'. That isn't enough imo.

    i have just had a knee replacement at the age of 65 and the surgeon says I've almost certainly had a poorly functioning knee since my teens. Looking back, he's right, but I just adapted and put up with it.

    Dont make my mistake. Get it looked at by a specialist. Then if there's nothing significantly wrong, you can be reassured.....and if there is a problem, you can deal with it now, while you're young and fit smile

    Good luck!

    • Posted

      Thanks for the help smile. I think I will after exams to be on the safe side. Hope you're well after the operation! 
  • Posted

    Hello Mathew

    im 67 and have just had TKR. I damaged my knee playing football and in those days they took the cartilage out ( keyhole now) over the next 35 yrs I developed osteoarthritis so hence the TKR.

    i suggest you see your Doctor who will send you for X Ray's and perhaps a specialist 

    The knee would have to be extreemely bad for them to operated being young but other treatment may be available.

    hope this helps.

    Andy

     

    • Posted

      Thansk for the reply smile. I did actually get an X-ray on my knee after my football injury, they just said there was nothing to be concerned about really, I just had bruising or something. I'm not sure if the person was a specialist though. I hope you're well affter the replacement smile 
  • Posted

    Thanks for the reply everyone! smile I think I will get it checked out after my exams to be safe. The thing which puts me off is that 95% of the time I have no problems. It's just every so often I'll get the stiffness/ pain and then less often I'll have a worse pain or injury. I am sure its not normal though at my age. 

    Appreciate the replies! 

  • Posted

    Every incident of damage to a joint creates another opportunity for the onset or advancement of arthritis. You should probably get a professional analysis. X rays will determine condition of that's it. If it turns out not to show an arthritic condition then you may need an MRI to determine soft tissue damage. If it is arthritis, it's a gift that keeps on giving (pain) the rest of your life. Movement is about all you can do for it until it gets so bad 30 years from now and you need a knee replacement. I would get to an orthodox as soon as possible.
  • Posted

    As Nextoneplease points out, do it sooner rather than later.  In this day and age they believe you when you say you are having problems with your knees,  Back then it was do exercises and get on with it.  Can you not make an appointment for when you are on a study day.  That way you are not having to worry about your knee AND your revision and exams. You need to be focussed, so get rid of the distraction (even by just making the appointent will help you)

    Wishing you heaps of good luck with your exams

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