Hi,
Not quite sure where to begin, but here goes! I've got a lot of history with my knee.  Had pain since I was 11 and from then been back and forth and passed around to pretty much everyone, with nothing more than 'growing pains' or 'hormonal'.  (history is a bit more complicated than that, but never really amounted to a diagnosis, so not really worth going through!).  Was on this forum quite a bit around that time, asking for encoragement and appreciating the understanding that everyone has without having to explain myself. 

In 2005 I had an arthroscopy, after a long battle to have an MRI showed possible cartilage tearing.  This once again amounted to nothing, only a 'diagnosis' of chondromalacia patella' which was apparently hormonal and I would grow out of it.  ( I was 16 at the time).  I did the rehab after the op, then gave up and tried to get on with life as best as I could.

The last 18 months have been so up and down.  I was a passenger in a bad car accident (involving a tree... never a good idea), my grandma died, I got married, and my knee got worse.... The pain has also spread to hips, back, shoulders, wrists, etc. - pretty much all over my body, and am now on painkillers full time after giving in to it and going back to the GP.  I've been referred to the orthapedics again, but went back to see a different GP inbetween, and she thinks I have something called fibromyalgia.

So anyway, I went to the hospital yesterday and had what I can honestly say was the best consultation I've experienced so far (although my knee wasn't happy at all the trapsing about!).  The consultant agreed there was something wrong with my knee (such a relief to hear!) and that we need to get a diagnosis sorted out! So she's sending me for an MRI and we'll go from there.  She doesn't think it's mechanical, but I guess we will see!

I'm hoping it will all go smoothly from here (probably wishful thinking, knowing my knee!), it's the first time I've been optimistic about my knee in years, and just wanted to share the relief I feel in knowing someone is on my side.  I've tried explaining it to some friends, but knew you guys would understand.  There were days when I thought it was all in my head and I was going crazy... 12 years of pain and no diagnosis is a tough one, and Ican't believe how positive I feel for the first time in ages....

Sorry for the essay... just wanted to encourage everyone it is possible to get somewhere as long as you don't lose hope and keep fighting.  Gentle hugs and good knee days for you all.

Lucy.

Your story sounds so familiar! My first non-diagnosis knee surgery was at 15. Finally after 2 more, the left knee was actually kind of cured. The right knee got into the act 7 years ago and again, after 2 failed diagnostic surgeries (even a LR), I'm scheduled for a PFJR. I'm 51, so I wouldn't expect you to go down that road. I would, however, counsel you to be very careful with diagnostic surgery. They do cause harm, even though we're told they're minor.

Linda's right about stress! It can cause so many things to go wrong. Learn to slow down, maybe take up yoga (there are adaptive varieties that don't hurt your knee). It will definitely make your life better! Good luck!