Question
I'm not sure if what I have is arthritis or not, so perhaps you can help me.  On 6/21/07 my left knee started to act weird.  I can't say I was in full blown pain, but it felt like I had a cramp in the area directly to the left of knee, and it's only that strip.

I didn't injur myself before hand, it happened very suddenly.  It didn't act up if I was idle (idle being sitting down), but it didn't act up as soon as I started doing activity either.  I jumped off a small folding chair at one point and it cramped up right then, and my knee crumbled, like it couldn't suppot my weight anymore or something.  I thought it would be gone by today, but I was wrong.

There is no inflamation, or any other visible signs something is wrong, only that cramped feeling.

I hope you can help me, thank you.
-Rachel

Answer
Without examining you, it sounds like a lateral meniscus or lateral collateral ligament problem. Not knowing your age, I can only speculate. I recommend you see an Ortho or D.C. and have it checked out. If they suspect any pathology, they will order a MRI.

Either way, I would ice it down to be safe until you have it looked at. I am assuming by "to the Left of my left knee" you mean the outside lateral portion of the knee. If the pain is on the other side, between the knees, then put medial in front of the above possibilities instead of lateral.

Good Luck
Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com