In 2016 I fell at a festival into my tent, there was a rock under the tent lining and it went into my patella, on the outside of my left knee. I had multiple x-rays, no fracture detected, that winter I had a dull ache for 3 months that didn't go away and onset weakness. I went back to the doctor, he said it's early wear and tear, physio said it was tendontis, and strengthening worked for 3-4 years on and off.
The pain gradually got worse every winter, it increased to giving way, then my hip started giving way too. I went private for physio and that one told me it was ligament damage. So in 2022 I had an MRI of the knee to confirm it, a frayed meniscus was shown and joint space narrowing. Zero ligament damage. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis by a knee specialist and my GP. I've managed it with swimming and over the counter painkillers ever since. I had a baby in 2023 and during my pregnancy my knee was substantially worse due to the relaxin in my body, I ended up homebound. In 2024 I had to switch to a 100% work from home role because my knee is so unstable.
2024 I fell over three times, my knee gave way crossing streets. The pain is much much worse. I can't weight bear well, I crawl up stairs when I'm in flare, I can't do a squat I fall backwards. I was in pain with my knee when I saw a physio for my back a week ago and he looked at my MRI and my x-rays, and told me point blank I do not have arthritis, I am too young to have it (30) and my knee looks great (from my 2016 X-ray) I was SO confused, I felt like I was going insane. I spoke to a locum doctor (not my GP) about pain management and he said "What evidence do you have for arthritis? Who told you this? We need to do an x-ray."
It's on my medical record, I was diagnosed by a knee specialist..is this normal in the NHS? I genuinely feel like I'm going loopy, I don't know what they need to see to confirm it, I feel like every medical professional I see has a different opinion on it and fights me on the diagnosis and then end up not being treated for the very real pain I'm in.
I will note here I am also being investigated for fibromyalgia and MS, my scoliosis because all sorts of issues with my gait, one hip is higher than the other, I limp naturally because of my thoracolumbar curve. My cervical curve causes nerve pain. I am pending imaging and nerve conduction tests.
I am sorry if this is a bit messy, I have really bad brainfog today.