Long-term pain in knees - X-Rays and MRIs normal

[whydotheyhurt]

Thanks for your help
Im a healthy 22 y.o. male in the military and have been in sports my whole life.  Last summer, after a month of running in a type of boots that I have never done much running in and in old tennis shoes (if that matters.Ive often used worn-out shoes) I started to get pain in both of my knees. The pain varies depending on the amount of activity I partake in.  The location of the pain also varies,but semi-often is in the same spot on each knee at the same time.
I never had much swelling if any until yest.  I walked around for a day in a new pair of boots and got pain and swelling in the lower-half of the knee just outside of the patella (in the indentation)  I was using some 3/4 inserts in the boots as they don't have any inserts in them.I took them out and now have pain on the inside of my knees - someetimes on the complete side of the joint.The pain really moves.
I saw an ortho doc and then a knee/joint specialist and they didnt see nething wrong.Xrays looked good and MRIs indicated nothing bad except 'a little fluid' on 1 of the knees

When I wear tennis shoes recommended by a running store the discomf is minimal and I jogged a mile the other day and felt ok

After last summer I had a few months rest and the pain returned when I returned to running (same old shoes I think)

I HAVE to wear these boots.I am in pilot training and these are my flight boots. I also wear Cho-Pat straps when I run.  Not sure how much they help

[UriBeliever]

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Good LUCK!

[Angelina Jillian]

I also have a similar question about knew and joint pain. One of my children who is 35 has bad knee pain, like it is in his joints, keeps him awake all night, and really hurts bad.  He says it almost makes him wish he could cut his legs off it is so bad.  Kinda dramtic I know. But he trying to explain it.  One doctor said yeh it is probably some sort of arthritic thing, but never really explained it.  I worry about this as he has been quite sick this past year.  Easily becomes ill, and often vomits easy. His brother has spinalokalitis, hoped I spelled this correctly.  And some kind of rumtory problems are running in this age group in my family, gout, and other things. A few years back his foot swelled up huge, and he only dropped something on it.  Since then this knee thing began.  No resoultion from doctors around here, and no insurance for him right now, soon though, any ideas?  Just for me I worry about bone cance and weird stuff.  Am I being a bit paranoid?  You know the Mom thing.. Anyone help? It seems closely  related to some of the things you are speaking of right now.  Thought maybe it would be okay to exploy deeper.

[calicotv]

Sharing Stories
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[g]

For the past several years I have had a problem with my right knee. I have had to undergo two knee replacements, the most recent one this past November of last year '06. For the past 4 or 5 months or so I have been back and forth to all types of medical doctors, pain specialists, orthopedics and I have been going to physical therapy. My knee has been hurting me since the first replacement which was back in 2001 i believe if I am not mistaken. For years the doctors never knew what was wrong and they persistently ran tests, did x-rays, MRIs or what have you and everything seemed perfectly fine up until NOW. As of lats Mon. the doctors took another test and drew fluid from my knee. And i would've thought that all of these years that I had the GOUT! And to top it all off my other knee has arthritis in it as well. i wanted to know where could i locate a good rheumatologist in my area?

[Forum-M.D.-]

Negative X-rays and MRI would rule out structural, bony or anatomical causes for the symptoms.  

An ANA level can be considered to rule out rheumatologic disease, however this history is not suggestive of lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.  

Physical therapy can be considered to strengthen the ligaments surrounding the knee.  A referral to a physiatrist can be considered to help with the rehabilitation options.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[whydotheyhurt]

Could it be this?

-Iliotibial Band Syndrome: The iliotibial band is a thick tendon that runs from the hip down the outside of the thigh to the outside of the knee and crosses over to the tibia, underneath the knee. This injury occurs from overuse, especially running on hard surfaces or slanted surfaces, or from different length legs or bad foot structure (high/low arches), or from inadequate warm up or cool down. Pain occurs on the outside of the knee, swelling can occur and symptoms can be worsened when the foot strikes hard surfaces or while wearing hard bottomed shoes.