Joint pain, first time looking into getting it checked

[clharper83]

First off, I am coming up on 27, male, about 6'2 and 230lbs, so yes a little overweight for my size. I have been having a lot of knee pain lately, it very random at the times it flares up, but lately becoming more frequent. It usually feels like it is right in the middle of my knee cap and back behind in the muscle, sometimes it's on both sides of the knee. It is not more frequent in one knee over the other, and at times it's both at the same time. I usually feel it most when sitting at the computer, but lately it has started happening while walking or just standing. The pain itself can range from a dull ache to a burning, stabbing type pain like pain that makes me limp. Not sure if it is related, but around my elementary school days my knees would buckle on me twice. Once when we had to line up straight along the lockers and during a play where I had to stand there for a long time, both times my knees we locked and after a few minutes of standing I blacked out and came to when my knees hit the floor (which on a lighter note, I was Joseph in a Christmas play so everyone thought it was part of the play)

Also while on the topic and not sure any relation, but my hands tend to ache. I make network cable so a majority of my work consists of untwisting and working with little wires, my hand will cramp up and start to hurt, especially if I am doing a lot of writing. I used to work on a dock years ago and at times, especially in winter, when i would hold a clipboard or like a stack of papers my hand would first start to ache a little and then rapidly intensify to the point that I my fingers would contort, I would then have to smack my hand against something to get my fingers loose.

I have not had insurance up until the last year or so and have always just shrugged off pain and stuff like that. Now that I am starting to get older and a little more considerate of my body these things kind of matter. Any and all advice that I can get would be very much appreciated

[Tuckamore]

Hi Clharper,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum.  I am sorry that you are having so much pain at such a young age.

Our knees are complicated joints that take a lot of abuse. "Bad knees" run in my family and many of us have experienced knee pain in our twenties. I have fistulas on the underside of my patellas (knee caps). You could have the same or have an inflammatory process going on in them It bears seeing your PCP for a clinical examination. Are you taking any OTC NSAID's? It may be beneficial.

You hand pain sounds like you may have a tendonitis or carpel tunnel syndrome. Repetitive use of your hands can aggravate both. Again I would consult with a primary care physician to determine the source. You too young to have to deal with some thing that could be corrected. Many things that are caught early can be treated successfully and not cause problems down the road.

I hope you will seek a medical opinion and let us know how you are doing. We'll look forward to your updates. And thanks for the side note about being Joseph in the Christmas play. It's a fitting story for this time of year. And it brought a smile to my face. Best of luck to you.

Take Care,
Tuck

[seano]

Sorry! I can't help ou with your knee/hand question.

[seano]

Get some form of health insurance, then see a doctor! Most states have free, or low cost health insurance. You have toapply for it though. I applied and was approved over the phone. I think it's important to have a relationship with a primary care doctor, for anything that may happen in the future. Good luck....