Constant Knee Pain

by Pamela
(Italy)

About 3 yrs ago while doing aerobics, I noticed that I could not bend my knee all the way back anymore. I used to be able to sit on my legs, but then one day, I could not bend my right leg all the way anymore. I had NO pain. Maybe a little bit of discomfort. But not really any pain. So I didn't go to the Dr.

My knee today still does not bend completely after 3 years. But now I am experiencing pain in the front of the knee, about 5 inches down from the patella. It is an achy feeling and I have it most of the day. It hurts when I walk only after a short distance. It is painful to climb up or down stairs. It is very difficult to get up from a sitting condition also. But just recently it is starting to hurt even at night. It is a dull ache. The only thing that helps some is putting a pillow between my knees. Also raising my leg does not help. It actually is more painful.

Can you give me some idea what this might be? Or at least where I should go for a diagnosis?

I would like to add, that 3 wks ago, I twisted my knee suddenly and injured it. Just one more thing added to what I had! Since then I have re-injured it 3 times because I had trouble keeping my balance. But now that seems to be getting better.

But the pain...just won't go away. Oh yeah...I also take anti-inflammatory meds...but it doesn't help much.

I do want to add that I did have x-rays done and the only thing they showed was the beginning of arthritis. But I cannot see any cloudiness around the joint at all. Plus the pain goes down into the top part of my shin.

Please answer this for me,

Thanks,
Pam