Knee Problems due to five year old injury never treated or diagnosed?

Question: Five years ago, I fell off my bike and injured my knee. I went to see an orthopedic surgeon who sent me for an MRI, and said that everything was normal, but I still had pain and swelling and I couldn't walk on it. So for four and a half years I've been dealing with the pain and swelling. This past week I went to see another orthopedic, and he looked at the results from the MRI and said the results showed possible torn cartillage(however you spell it). He sent me for another MRI as well as a bone scan this past weekend. Yesterday they told me there was an abnormality behind the kneecap(patella), and for me to continue wearing a knee immobilizer for another three weeks. No amount of any pain medication takes the pain away, or even dulls it, and ice does nothing. Does anyone have a clue what might be wrong? I just need some hints. No one seems to believe me because I don't exhibit pain very well. PLEASE HELP!! I'm only 18, and I can't do anything because of, or for, the pain.

Answers:
Your doctor could have been referring to chondromalacia, a fancy word for either thinned, frayed, fissured, or missing cartilage. Everyone develops chondomalacia eventually; it's a wear and tear thing, however, an injury like a patellar dislocation (which you may not even recall because it usually snaps right back into place)or a meniscal tear can lead to premature cartilage wear. Keep getting second (and third) opinions until you are satisfied. It also may help to have a second radiologist (someone who specializes in muskuloskeletal imaging) have a look at the MR. Good luck.

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You've had little success with orthopedists, you might try a good chiropractor. It's surprizing what they can sometimes do. Their specialty is dealing with joints that are slightly out of place. They adjust the joint so that it is back in place. I can't guarantee anything of course, but it may be worth your while.

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