How do you know if you have fluid in your knees?

Question

I went to the doctor for the pain and I thought that it was fluid in my knees, but she never mentioned that. She actually didn't say what it was, she just prescribed physical therapy. I figured that since she's the doctor she knows what she's doing, but know a friend that works in that clinic said that if I feel that the doc didn't make a good judgement that I should get a second opinion elsewhere because they tend to make mistakes there. Now I don't know what to do. It feels wrong to go against doctors order's. I have therapy on the 11th should I just wait and see what the therapist says?
Thank you for your opinions!!

The knee cap is very loose and it does feel "mushy". There's times when I'm in so much pain. No leaking

Answer 1

I believe if you had fluid in your knees you would definitely know it. I tend to think that you might have damage to your miniscus or such. I would go to the therapist and also mention your concerns to them as they are extremely knowledgeable.

Answer 2

Fluid on the knee causes swelling that feels mushy when you press on it. You can feel water moving,just a little bit.
Get a second opinion..doctors aren't always right.

Answer 3

When it comes down to joints you really have three options:
1. Drugs
2. Surgery
3. Physical Therapy

So the doctor is probably playing it safe. By prescribing with the least invasive of the three.

However it seems like doctors more and more often are treating me, my wife, and my children, just by writing a prescription and not explaining what is wrong.

Answer 4

Yeah, I didn't really understand "physical therapy" - never thought about it - until after knee surgery.

It is the best - these guys FIX your problem. Go!

Answer 5

there would be swelling, more or less depending on the amount of fluid. if you just have pain then i can see physical therapy if the was no injury that might necessitate an xray

Answer 6

they swell up and are kind of mushy

Answer 7

are they leaking?