Is this arthritis? Or something else?

[DLgal]

I'm having a knee issue, and I don't know if it's arthritis or something else. Hoping someone with knee arthritis can weigh in. Arthritis descriptions are so vague.

So, for background, I'm 44. I'm a bit overweight, but not obese. I'm active. I walk a minimum of 8000 steps a day, plus I jog, use an elluptical, bike, and swim at least 3 times a week My mom started having knee arthritis issues at around 45 and had a knee replacement at age 55.

I've gradually developed pain in my right knee that feels like it is in the "core" of my knee, for lack of a better description. It's not a surface level pain, in other words, it's not a sharp pain. It's a dull ache that feels like it radiates into my upper thigh bone from the very center of my knee (not the kneecap). This pain comes on randomly through the day. It comes on when I bend my knee (like when sitting cross legged). It becomes severe when I UNCROSS my legs and straighten it out. It hurts mainly on extension (when straightening out my leg). It does NOT hurt when walking or jogging or doing any actual activity. The pain is there mostly at rest.

Does this sound like arthritis? I read a lot that arthritis causes "stiffness" and I can't really grasp what that means. Does it mean LITERAL stiffness like the joint can't move smoothly or does it mean you experience a feeling of heaviness and pain when moving after a period of rest?

My knee also does "crackle" when I bend and unbend it.

I don't want to waste time at the doctor if this is just typical aging/arthritis stuff. If this is NOT what arthritis feels like, I'll go in because I probably need some PT.

 

[Princesca]

I have something similar to this and my doctor has said it's likely bursitis or chronic inflammation from a past injury to my ACL. My right knee hurts most when I first get up from sitting or sleeping, when my leg has been immobile for awhile, and goes away with movement. It's almost like the joint gets lubricated or something. It isn't even every day, but it will flare up periodically for a week or two, then go away. From people I know that have arthritis, the discomfort is pretty constant.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I’ve had joint pain caused by hormone levels before, sometimes to an excruciating I-can’t-pour-a-cup-of-coffee degree. Initially, it was only my knees that were affected and I didn’t even make the connection (I assumed it was arthritis) until a couple years later when other issues popped up and I realized all these symptoms were tied to my hormone fluctuations. But yes, it was a deep ache inside my knees and sitting was one of the worst triggers for it. I couldn’t handle going to the movies anymore and taking a plane or long car ride anywhere was brutal. Strangely, as my problems elsewhere got worse, my knees seemed to get better, and the pain during these flairs moved into other joints. My hormones are much more stable now so I don’t experience symptoms much at all anymore, and the knee pain in particular hasn’t been an issue for about five years now. It was the first to come on and the first to go away. Perimenopause is a strange beast.

 

[Princesca]

Oh just to add, one thing that I stumbled upon that has really helped is like 2000+ units of quality Omega-3 a day. My LASIK surgeon instructed me to take it leading up to surgery, and I happily found out that my knee didn't hurt at all during that time and my body aches in general were greatly lessened when I took it.

 

[luv2cheer92]

It could be a number of different things, but I would see a PT no matter what it is.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I would try to lose weight and improve diet ( especially eliminate sugar, white flour and drink lots of water ).
Keep a detailed description of the pain , etc.if you decide to go to the doctor.
If you decide to use overcounter products , I think you have to also take as suggested on regular schedule. Somebody suggested the new AleveX pain relieving formulas available as a lotion , spray, Max Strength . That’s what I am using and it is working .

 

[rlk]

I'm having a knee issue, and I don't know if it's arthritis or something else. Hoping someone with knee arthritis can weigh in. Arthritis descriptions are so vague.

So, for background, I'm 44. I'm a bit overweight, but not obese. I'm active. I walk a minimum of 8000 steps a day, plus I jog, use an elluptical, bike, and swim at least 3 times a week My mom started having knee arthritis issues at around 45 and had a knee replacement at age 55.

I've gradually developed pain in my right knee that feels like it is in the "core" of my knee, for lack of a better description. It's not a surface level pain, in other words, it's not a sharp pain. It's a dull ache that feels like it radiates into my upper thigh bone from the very center of my knee (not the kneecap). This pain comes on randomly through the day. It comes on when I bend my knee (like when sitting cross legged). It becomes severe when I UNCROSS my legs and straighten it out. It hurts mainly on extension (when straightening out my leg). It does NOT hurt when walking or jogging or doing any actual activity. The pain is there mostly at rest.

Does this sound like arthritis? I read a lot that arthritis causes "stiffness" and I can't really grasp what that means. Does it mean LITERAL stiffness like the joint can't move smoothly or does it mean you experience a feeling of heaviness and pain when moving after a period of rest?

My knee also does "crackle" when I bend and unbend it.

I don't want to waste time at the doctor if this is just typical aging/arthritis stuff. If this is NOT what arthritis feels like, I'll go in because I probably need some PT.

I have had knee pain for years, but just this past month it felt different. A lot like what you described. The dull aching pain was waking me up at night, so I finally went to see an orthopedic doctor. She confirmed arthritis and said I should try getting silicone injections. I just got my first one yesterday. I will get the second next week and the last one the week after. I'm trying to push off a knee replacement.

Edited to add: I also got a cortisone injection last week. That helped for a few days, but the pain came back by the fourth day. I can already feel relief after the one silicone injection.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Go see an ortho surgeon. I waited way to long to have a total knee replacement and though I am recovered, I lost a lot along the way as far as mobility. My son is a dPT and worked closely with an ortho surgeon who ended up doing my surgery. I am grateful every day that I did it though it wasn't easy.

I was having pain and issues like you describe for years and I should have done something sooner but blamed it on Lyme disease. Go find out what is up. If it can be handled through therapy and/or medication you will know. If you need surgery, you can prepare. Don't wait.

Be well!

 

[TLSnell1981]

It could be several different things...immflamuation from overuse, loss of cartilage, injury, arthritis, core instability, improper tracking (patella) etc. Probably best to see an ortho for an accurate diagnosis.

 

[DLgal]

It could be several different things...immflamuation from overuse, loss of cartilage, injury, arthritis, core instability, improper tracking (patella) etc. Probably best to see an ortho for an accurate diagnosis.

Sigh. It's always something isn't it? It's so bizarre to me how I can be doing the same activities I've always done and randomly start having problems. I've been at my current weight for like 2 years so it's not like I suddenly gained weight or anything. I usually have issues on my left side, so of course my right side got jealous. Getting old sucks.

 

[dclpluto]

Start yourself on an anti inflammatory diet. Trust me if it doesn’t work you have nothing to lose. Eat a salad at least once a day. Then eat some other food that’s on the list. Just google anti inflammatory diet. Give it at least a week. I thought I was going to need knee surgery while I was googling the surgery about how long I will be off work, etc. this diet came up. I thought it was a bunch of bs. Nope it actually does work. Been over 10 months since I took a Advil or any other kind of pain medicine.

 

[DLgal]

Start yourself on an anti inflammatory diet. Trust me if it doesn’t work you have nothing to lose. Eat a salad at least once a day. Then eat some other food that’s on the list. Just google anti inflammatory diet. Give it at least a week. I thought I was going to need knee surgery while I was googling the surgery about how long I will be off work, etc. this diet came up. I thought it was a bunch of bs. Nope it actually does work. Been over 10 months since I took a Advil or any other kind of pain medicine.

I already do that. I eat pretty healthy.

I just looked to make sure, and sure enough, I don't really eat the foods on the inflammatory list. Maybe once a week I have something fried. I eat whole grains for the most part and lots of olive oil, salads, fruits and veggies.

I take Aleve at least 2 times a week. I have hormonal migraines and get mild headaches several times a month in addition. The knee pain is temporarily relieved somewhat when I take Aleve.

 

[mikehn]

gout maybe

 

[DLgal]

gout maybe

Ironically, I've had gout. When I was 19, in my big toe. It's a big mystery why.

It's nothing like gout.

 

[dclpluto]

I already do that. I eat pretty healthy.

I just looked to make sure, and sure enough, I don't really eat the foods on the inflammatory list. Maybe once a week I have something fried. I eat whole grains for the most part and lots of olive oil, salads, fruits and veggies.

I take Aleve at least 2 times a week. I have hormonal migraines and get mild headaches several times a month in addition. The knee pain is temporarily relieved somewhat when I take Aleve.

You say you jog. Even thou I don’t have knee problems now I know I won’t be able to do any jogging with all that pounding that your knees take. My brother loves to run so much that he had knee operation so he will be able to keep running. I will rather not run and do other exercise like walking, bike. I do about 15k steps a day and around 700 miles on my peloton a month. Remember motion is lotion.

 

[DLgal]

You say you jog. Even thou I don’t have knee problems now I know I won’t be able to do any jogging with all that pounding that your knees take. My brother loves to run so much that he had knee operation so he will be able to keep running. I will rather not run and do other exercise like walking, bike. I do about 15k steps a day and around 700 miles on my peloton a month. Remember motion is lotion.

I use the word jog loosely. I mostly do fast walking. I'll SLOWLY (like 12-14 min mile pace) jog for half a mile then walk for half a mile, repeat. I don't all out run and my jog is more of a shuffle. I jog less than cycling and elliptical.