I'm not a doctor, but I'm a distance runner, and it sounds to me like you've got patellar tendonitis. I've had it many times over the years, and it can be debilitating and take forever to heal. Sometimes it can feel like it never does really heal. If I were you, I'd read about patellar tendonitis, and follow recommendations for this to see if it helps. Good luck. And perhaps most importantly, above all else, try to remain positive. It helps tremendously.
Oh yeah, hello from a fellow Washingtonian! :) ~MM
I was wondering if your knees are swollen or red when they hurt? Does taking medication like Ibuprofen help at all? Do you have any other symptoms? (Like fever, aching in other joints, low back ache, heel or ball of your foot pain?) If you haven't, have your white blood cell count checked..It checks for signs of infection... Hope this helps... ~MM
One question, why would you be in a wheelchair from a torn meniscus in the knee. They can treat that with an arthroscopy procedure (I had this done last December and it was probably the easiest surgery I have ever had). They put three little portal holes around the front of the knee. They do the surgery with the scope. At most, you will be on a pair of crutches for a few days to a week. You are under general anesthesia for about an hour.
Here is a site on fibromyalgia: http://www.fmnetnews.com/basics-criteria.php
Why worry about arthritis already, you are only 18. Did they say you have arthritis? I mean at one point in our life as we become old we most likely will all have arthritis, it is a part of aging.
Did you mean to say you pain in the chin or meant shin?
Oh, sorry, I just realized that this IS the Undiagnosed Symptoms board, LOL!
The other thing--please don't believe it that you will be in a wheelchair. You just haven't found out what it is yet, but you will. Don't give up!
Hi, first of all, I'm very sorry. The two ideas I have are maybe you have fibromyalgia (although you are young, it's not unheard of) or rheumatoid arthritis or some other type. The other idea is that is it possible these problems are from overuse injuries or muscle imbalances? You said you are a dancer and had strenuous workouts. If you went for years using the same muscles in your legs, it is possible.
Have you tried seeing a sports medicine doctor? How about a rheumatologist? Also try a foot doctor. As I understand it, ballet is hard on the feet. If your feet hurt, your legs and knees hurt. You can try getting some type of orthopedic shoes and see if that helps you (they are expensive though).
I suggest this because I was very active when I was young and up until about 45 when everything started to hurt me. I have osteoarthritis in my knees, degenerative discs in my neck and back and now I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Check the fibro board and the degenerative diseases board and also the undiagnosed symptoms board.
Good luck, and please let me know what you find out.
Cindy