Cause of my knee pain? Will delayed diagnosis cause permanent damage?
My right knee has been popping for as many years as I can remember, but I have never had any pain until these past four days or so.
It started as a stinging feeling in my right kneecap whenever I bent the joint upward (e.g. lifting my knee to my chest) and/or when I completely straightened my leg out and tensed/flexed it a bit. Now it's happening regardless of what I do, but the pain comes and goes.
The majority of my pain is on the inner part of my kneecap... it's a stinging pain that almost tickles as well. It's hard to explain, but it's definitely uncomfortable. Every time I bend my kneecap and then straighten it out it pops (but as I said before, it has been doing this for years even prior to the pain). Sometimes the pain radiates down my leg and into my ankle.
Any idea what it could be? I don't recall doing anything specific that would have injured it. There was no "pop" noise and no visible swelling. It has been about four days now.
I'm using ice and trying to rest as much as possible, but I still have to go to work/etc.
Is there any chance it will just get better on its own? Am I risking any sort of permanent damage by putting off going to the doctor for another week (that's the only chance I have).
I'm a 25-year-old male by the way.
Thank you.
Public Comments
1. Knee pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint that brings people to their doctor. With today's increasingly active society, the number of knee problems is increasing. Knee pain has a wide variety of specific causes and treatments. It might get better on its own, but check here.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/knee_pain_overview/article_em.htm
