Chronic Knee Aching and Cracking

[natetoronto]

I am a 21 year old male who has had chronic knee pain since November 2007. I first started noticing cracking in my ankles and knees wile using elipticles and treat mills at the gym (at which time I was in amazing shape). I thought the pain might have been a result of dead-lifting and squatting weight that was too heavy, combined with my vigorous biking routine at the time. I started stacking less weight at the gym, and eased off the cardio for a while, but my condition has only worsened since (even with a break from the gym for over 3 months). During my break from the gym to give my joints rest, my knees and ankles started cracking all the time, and my knees started to ache (behind the knee and around the knee cap). The aching got so bad that it got to the point of being unable to walk without pain for more then 3 hours on a family vacation. The pain seems to intensify while sitting for longer periods of time, and while doing straight-leg stretches. Sometimes the pain travels from my knee down into my feet and causes tingling sensations. To add to all of this, I have recently noticed stiffness and occasional cracking in my hands, and pain in my elbows after exercising or swimming. These problems have been plaguing me for months, while stumping doctors and physiotherapists who say I am simply too young for arthritis. There are no signs of swelling in my knees from x-rays, and a rheumatoid arthritis test came back negative.

I can not describe how appreciative I would be of any response to this question

Thank you

[PaulMD]

Hi there!

I'm really sorry to hear that you are experiencing this during this time of your life.  Here are some pointers that might help.

Joint pains can have several causes, from "wear and tear" arthritis, to rheumatoid, to crystal induced arthritis (gout), and pain coming from the supporting structures like the ligaments and tendons.  

A negative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) test does not rule out the disease.  There is a diagnostic criteria based on symptoms that can tell if you may have RA.  

You maybe too young for arthritis but you can still be candidate for other conditions like tendinitis (swelling of tendons) or bursitis (swelling of the space over bony prominences).  These can be relieved by pain and anti-inflammatory medications.

Have your posture checked.  Spine deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis), can lead to unequal weight distribution between your two legs, causing one side to bear more weight than the other.  

I hope you get your usual athletic form back.  Don't give up until you and your doctors get to the bottom of this.  Regards...

[natetoronto]

Should I just get my posture checked by a regular family physician? I have arranged an appointment with my family doctor this week. I was wondering if there were any other tests that could be used to help identify the source of my problems, and if an MRI or sample of the cartilage in my joints would do me any good.  From my own judgment, I would say that there is something systemic going on since my knee pain has been accompanied by cracking stiffness in my hands and elbows as well. The problems in my hands and elbows are only mild discomfort, but they have been a chronic problem as well for the past couple months (I will notice them at least 5/7 days a week).

Thanks for getting back to me

I will let you know what happens with my family physician