Question
I'm 27, 6'1", 180 lbs.  Healthy.  I ride my bike to 20 min a day and play volleyball indoors 2/wk.  I have never had problems with my joints before this fall.  Since Sept-October I have experiences serious pain in both knees.  Almost debilitating.  7/10, 10 being the worst.  I can't walk stairs in the morning.  My knees produce a crepitus sound.  The pain is most severe in the mornings especially after a V-ball game the night before.  The pain is not consistant and only stimulated by movement. My grandmother has a history of arthritis but not until much older and mostly in hips and hands.  Am I experiencing early onset osteo arthitic changes in my knees? or could it be something else?  What do you suggest to help?

Answer
Hi Jeremiah,

It could be a VMO weakness, chondromalacia patella (softening of the cartilage under the knee cap), Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, or some other inflammatory arthropathy. he only way to know is to have an Ortho or Chiro look at it and get a couple more opinions. Once you get a definitive diagnosis, I can advise you to the best proven treatment.

Good Luck,

Dr Timothy Durnin