bad knee pain & feels unstable

[cadmus]

my right knee occasionally gets sore and hurts coming down stairs . it may last for a few weeks then ok for a few weeks . then ten days ago , totally out the blue , i got out of bed and could not walk on this leg . my knee was agony and i hobbled around . the pain eased a little after a couple of days . its now about 40% better but im still cant put my weight on it coming down stairs and it has been throbbing alot in bed which is keeping me awake.
the pain is situated the inner medial lower side of my knee. the joint feels weak /unstable and an unusal feeling between the knee joint ( painful/ dangerous to walk downstairs and crunching sort of sound )
i have no swelling /brusing and have iced occasionally and taken anti inflams. any idea s
after some googling i thought it might be minor damage to mcl or meniscus ( but have no sweling ) or could it be my cartilage shot away .
all seems odd as i was perfect when i went to bed then woke up like a cripple .

[Heidi]

Hi
I think it is more likely that it is a patella pain problem.
What you described before about walking down stairs sounds just like patellofemoral pain syndrome:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/patellofemoral_pain_syndrome.php
The problems you are now experiencing could be related to that. Possibly a build up of damage to the cartilage lining the patella, or even a mild dislocation (subluxation).
If it has been this long and you are still having problems walking then you should visit someone for treatment. You may need the patella mobilising or some soft tissue work to release it etc.

[cadmus]

[QUOTE=Heidi;3574]Hi
I think it is more likely that it is a patella pain problem.
What you described before about walking down stairs sounds just like patellofemoral pain syndrome:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/patellofemoral_pain_syndrome.php
The problems you are now experiencing could be related to that. Possibly a build up of damage to the cartilage lining the patella, or even a mild dislocation (subluxation).
If it has been this long and you are still having problems walking then you should visit someone for treatment. You may need the patella mobilising or some soft tissue work to release it etc.[/QUOTE]

THANKS "HEIDI"for your very helpful reply .