Intense Knee/Hip pain.

teopeht

I'm 25 years old. 5'6" and 163 lbs. Reasonably healthy, non smoking, non prescriptions, non drug, maybe 1-2 drinks a day. Goes to the gym roughly 1-3 times a week.

Since as long as I can remember I've experienced occasional knee and hip pain in one or the other leg but never at the same time. They come and go in spurts, occasionally every other day and then I'll go without the pain for months at a time. The pain is so intense that it pretty much incapacitates me, unable to walk or use the affected leg. It doesn't feel like a bruise pain more like something deep inside my leg. It's a pretty constant pain and I've only been able to reduce it by applying pressure/heat to my knee and it will subside over a couple hours.

Anyone have an idea what I'm experiencing? Is this just an acute form of arthritis?

bobmyknob

Have you ever gotten your shoes fitted for you? If you go to a nice running store they can tell you all about your stride and if you place a bunch of weight on one leg or something and get you the proper shoes. Because you might be putting a lot of stress on your leg while working out.

teopeht

No I don't have fancy shoes for working out. I use basic jogging shoes which seem pretty comfortable for both cardio and weight lifting. Otherwise when I'm not in the gym I'm almost exclusively wearing sandals.

stawk

Ever injure your knee?

I dislocated my knee before and ever since then i suffer from chronic knee and hip pain. So does another person i know who had the same thing happen.

bowen

Arthritis is probably the cause. Do you notice it hurting a shit ton more in the cold or rain?

Glocjt

I'm doubting it's arthritis 'cause a) osteoarthritis, which affects larger joints like knees and hips, generally has a much later age of onset and b) rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect smaller joints like fingers, wrists, etc., and usually takes some time to develop.

Another potential is gout if we're assuming you don't have any joint injury, especially if you're getting episodes of debilitating pain. Go see your doc.

teopeht

No joint injuries or even broken bones. I'm not sure if it's always the case but it does tend to happen more often when I'm cold or kick the covers off while I'm sleeping.

I didn't think it was arthritis just because I'm pretty young still.

Trillian

Glocjt wrote: »

I'm doubting it's arthritis 'cause a) osteoarthritis, which affects larger joints like knees and hips, generally has a much later age of onset and b) rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect smaller joints like fingers, wrists, etc., and usually takes some time to develop.

Another potential is gout if we're assuming you don't have any joint injury, especially if you're getting episodes of debilitating pain. Go see your doc.

It can come on very early.
I have terrible arthritis from being born with shallow hip joints.

Go get some X-rays done.
You could be dislocating your hip all the time, which is no fun.

bowen

I'd say the most likely culprits are torn ligaments or arthritis. Arthritis doesn't just attack old people. Your best bet is to see a Rheumatoid or Orthopedic Doctor. They'll probably be able to diagnose the issue.

Trillian

teopeht wrote: »

No joint injuries or even broken bones. I'm not sure if it's always the case but it does tend to happen more often when I'm cold or kick the covers off while I'm sleeping.

I didn't think it was arthritis just because I'm pretty young still.

No, in fact that is the HALLMARK of arthritis.
You could have in fact been born with the same condition as me.
My hips were dislocated and had to be put back into place and casted for 6 months.
I still have arthritis pain in both hip joints, as well as in my knees, from all this.
Go get x-rays and figure out the best path from there.
This will only get much worse as you age.

BetelguesePDX

Agree, them joints need X Rays. Go see a doc.

teopeht

Thanks everyone, I will go complain about arthritis and joint pain. I have an aversion to doctors because whenever I go they inevitably tell me it is nothing and send me on my way. I suppose there are downsides to a litigious society but I figured the Hippocratic Oath would mean something here :P

(plus that was snark by the way, I really dont have anything against doctors)

bowen

Hey no problem. You're right they do do that. Most of the time it's a hypochondriac or they diagnosis right and the person is fine with a placebo and some time to think about the good advice the doctor gave. But those that have the bad problems often come back and make them look more closely.