Severe pain in left knee

[inspiredmomof5]

My husband has been suffering from severe knee pain after playing gym volleyball. This pain has peristed for more than 3 months now. Our biggest problem is, we do not have health insurance and we are living on his unemployment and my job, which isn't nearly enough for our large family of 7. We know he needs to be checked out, however we are concerned that it will become a pre-existing condiditon, when he is able to get insurance. I have tried to talk him into to going to the ER, where we could possibly make payments, but if he does need surgery, then we are screwed.
He has a very hard time walking up and down the stairs. It throbs so bad, even when he is sitting or lying down and it continually wakes him up. I am concerned that if he doesn't get it treated, it could turn into something much worse.
He says it is always throbbing and clicking. The pain is right on the knee cap, most of the time. He is continually icing and heating. He takes advil for the pain, to no avail. Should I insist that he go to the ER or is it something he can wait on, until he gets insurance? Please help!!! Thank you...Kelly

[meghaincredibe]

I did excessive cardio last month and now my knee has started paining a lot with some ankle pain also. doctor has advised me to take pain killers which arent effective at all. Please advise me what injury can it be.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello,

The most important thing for him is to diagnose the case. If he knows he has ligament tear then at least he can limit the damage by using a brace, knee supports etc and he can always plan a surgery when he has insurance.

The important thing is diagnosis so he has to go for an orthopedic examination and if required an X-ray and MRI. He will come to know if he has damaged his collateral ligaments, cruciate ligaments or if there is any issue with menisci in his knee joint. There might be a tendon involvement and no ligament tears so all these issues should be put to rest.

Take care!