I've had pain that starts in my knees and spreads to my hips, lower back, and feet since I was 5. What is it?

Question

I've been told my knee pain was growing pains, arthritis, and plain old stretching of ligaments. They started, I think, when I was 5 and still continue to this day. I don't have the pain all the time, and it's not always in both knees. I am overweight now, but I wasn't until a few years ago. Also, when I bend my knees, they crunch. I've gone to more than my share of doctors about this and no one can tell me what it is for sure or how it can be treated, if possible. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Have you been to an orthopedist?

Answer 2

They probably diagnosed you with osgood-schlatters. That's what I was diagnosed with when I was young.

I still have minimal pain in my knees/legs at points, but ever since I became more active I've been doing a lot better (I can finally kneel without wanting to die). Perhaps you should take up exercise on an elliptical machine, which is easy on your knees.

Answer 3

Try barefooting around instead of wearing shoes all the time. There have been many medical studies from doctoes around the world who have proven the ill-effects shoes have on our legs and feet. The following websites have some good information on this topic as well as links to other informative sites on this subject.