left knee, right side issues

[Royalbailey]

I had left knee pain for 3 weeks, limped around til I saw an ortho knee guy that I worked with.  He had me get an MRI, which showed DJD. TWO days after the MRI I injured it just geting into my car, as I lefted and pulled up and to the right I heard a LOUD POP! Pain to follow was excruciating.  I could NOT weight bear for a few days.  I went to another ortho and could NOT get an add'l MRI because insurance wouldn't pay.  Now the pain that was "inside" my knee (meniscus?) had resolved somewhat and I was weight bearing w/a limp, but NOW it has moved to the RIGHT side of the left knee.  If I lie down and try to bend the knee, drawing it up to my body it feels very strange, as if there is cotton all around the inside of the knee.  It feels swollen, too.  Can ANYONE tell me what's going on?  The 2nd physician wants to do arthroscopic, BUT I can't take the time off work, and I have a bad history of not waking up from anesthesia...so I  would use surgery as a LAST resort.....

[Royalbailey]

Dr. Mathur, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!!!

Since the pain is worsening and I now have severe BURNING, stabbing pains like someone has stabbed me with a hot poker (which actually make me cry out) I will more than likely opt for the arthroscopic surgery, which was recommended by the orthopaedic physician I did see....I was afraid because I don't come out of anesthesia all that quickly and work issues, but it would seem I have no choice at this point.....THANK YOU AGAIN....!!!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Sudden onset knee pain can be due to ligament tear, bursitis, meniscus injury or due to dislocation of patella. Since you heard a popping sound, in all probability, it is a ligament tear or meniscus injury. The location of pain can shift with healing, and often residual pain remains due to incomplete healing.
So, if you cannot get a MRI for confirmed diagnosis, arthroscopy is the next option. This will also allow debridement and menisectomy or partial or complete removal of meniscus if need be. The other option is that you try rest, knee caps, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Tylenol, Aleve or Mobic, cortisone shots, and physiotherapy to see if conservative treatment is helping you or not.
Please however, discuss in detail with your treating doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.