Hello. I have had problems with my left knee on and off for several years, but never got it checked out until just recently, when the swelling became overwhelming and I could barely bend it or walk.
I went to an orthopedic doctor, and X-Rays showed no signs of arthritis, then he drained the fluid from my knee which looked clear with a yellowish tint. He said that it looked normal, and that cloudiness, and blood are visual indicators of trouble. I had those samples sent in to check for crystals, blood count, and some other odds and ends. I also had an MRI done, and he said that the MRI is absolutely normal. Before the MRI and lab results came in, we were operating under the "assumption" we were looking at a damaged miniscus (sp?) But MRI normal and lab results negative for crystals, (no gout or pseudogout,) but showed elevated white count (2400) He said normal is 0-200, but that severe pathology can be as high as 30,000 or more. I'm going in for blood tests, as he is now sure that this is not an injury. I asked what we're looking for and what the worst case scenario he expects, and he said Lyme Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus were the top of the worst case list. My dog has Lyme Disease and we live in a high risk area (Maryland,) so I wouldn't be surprised if the same ticks that hit her somehow hit me.
Anyway, hearing Lupus, really scared the bejeepers out of me, and now I have to play the waiting game, so I just wanted to get some professional opinions so I can calm my wild imagination.
I am a 36 year old caucasion male and I don't really have any other joint problems to speak of. The other knee is just fine, my hands are fine, shoulders, elbows, hips, all pretty good. I do suffer anxiety and depression which I understand can be a by-product of a whole host of other conditions.
I suppose what I'm wondering is
1. Should I ask another doctor to look at the MRI films to get a second opinion (maybe he missed something?)
2. Are there "more likely" pathologies and "less likely" ones in the list of non-injuries joing swelling?
3. How bad are those top three? I always thought Lupus was a debilitating and fatal condition like MS. Am I wrong about that one?
Thank you very much for your time.