Upper knee injury

[evalente]

About every 2 years for the past 6, I have managed to injure my knee doing something mundane.  Yesterday I dropped into a squat position to pet the dog and it happened again.  I'm 30, male, healthy but not athletic, and not overweight.

The injury feels like I overstretched something, similar to a pulled muscle.  From the squat position it is at the top of the knee, above the cap and painful to any pressure.  It has evolved into a dull pain behind the cap and located at the top.

I work a desk job and the worst part is keeping the knee in the sitting position.  It is really difficult to stand up and straighten it out.

2 years ago my primary care physician suggested it may be bursitis, which when reading about it, seemed odd because it is described as being a condition due to repetitive overuse.  This hasn't built up for me; it was an instant, knee-grabbing event.

I have 2 kids, going on 3, and I can't afford to have this happen if possible.  I basically have to keep the leg in a locked straight position and not bend it when walking or climbing stairs.  I expect this to last for at least a week and then linger for a few more.

I thought I'd ask for information here since I know already to take advil, ice and rest it.  Does anyone know what this might be?

Thanks in advance.

[JainMD]

Hi Eva,
You have a nice name.
I think you are right in thinking that you should be seeing an orthopaedician at earliest. Yes he should be an Orthopedic MD.
What kind of imaging studies has been done? What has been reported?
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[evalente]

Hi JainMD,

Thanks for your response.

What would you recommend at this point - seeing an Orthopedic MD?  This first happened 6 years ago while running and I overextended it.   A quick sharp pain and inability to flex the leg without it throbbing.  Pain now is dull, but sharpens as I apply sudden movement.  Never had any surgeries and have no other current pain in the leg.

[JainMD]

Hi,
Congratulation's that you are pregnant again. Keep yourself relaxed and enjoy our pregnancy.
When any patient complains of “knee pain,” the initial differential diagnosis in most of the cases includes: Osteoarthritis, Ligament damage, Meniscus damage or Patello-femoral disorder.
I think what you are having is either a ligament injury or a Patello-femoral disorder.
When did your pain begin, what were you doing at the time, and what were the initial symptoms?
Do you experience any grinding, locking, catching, or giving way of the knee?
Are there any positions that make your knee more or less comfortable?
What is the quality of your pain (sharp, shooting, dull, etc.)?
Have you tried anything to help the pain and, if yes, has that been successful?
Have you ever had surgery on your knee? Do you have any hip or ankle pain?
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[evalente]

Also, I just walked through the building here and after it loosened up enough, I noticed a lot of movement - clicking around.  Not audible, but definitely happening in the upper knee behind the patella.