knee feels like it is popping out

[campingismyjam17]

I know I need to go to the Dr, and I will (getting through is difficult enough) but I'm just wondering if anyone has similar.
My knees are bad, they hurt when I try and get up from sitting(front of knees above kneecap) When I bend down sometimes I get swelling so I try not to kneel. When I come down stairs in the morning I am like a toddler, with 2 feet on each step as they are so stiff. Sometimes my knee pain causes me to limp a bit. All of these things are not ideal but I cope with them. I have varicose veins, inherited from my dads side of the family. I know I am overweight and I know this doesn't help.

One knee is worse then the other. Sometimes it feels like it sort of pops out and I get this really weird feeling and it makes me feel sick. It doesn't last long and I am able to walk again. When it happens I can't straighten my leg fully or put full weight on it. I can manage the pain but it does make me feel old and it is slowing me down(I'm 51)
I work 3 days a week and it is a very active job(I teach) and am up and down stairs a lot.

I guess I'm just worried about what it could be and what tests (if any) the Dr might send me for.

Not a substitute for seeing your doctor but it sounds very much like osteoarthritis. The treatment at this stage is likely to be weight loss, pain killers (e.g. paracetamol), anti-inflammatories (e.g. short courses of ibuprofen), and possibly physiotherapy. Some patients say that they were helped by glucosamine, which can be bought over the counter.

If you reach the point at which your symptoms are unbearable and/or disabling then the next step would be a conversation about knee replacement(s). You will be encouraged to delay this for as long as possible.

This really is one instance in which pain/stiffness/instability can be improved a lot by weight loss.

Thank you, I am working on it. I used to love walking and would ramble as a past time. I just don't seem to be able to manage it now and I'm scared my knee might go and I lose balance.

It sounds like your patella is slipping and your knee dislocates. Mine has been doing this since I was 13 (had to be helped out of maths), and it still does. I am 51 now!!. You either have to wait for it to click back in, or get someone to put it back for you. Physio helps as does strapping my knee. I have to sleep with my bad knee straight if possible and if the cat allows. My physio tells me I have 'young girls knee' and that I was born with it.

Voltarol gel helps.

yes get seen.
physio might help as well.

It could be subluxing kneecaps but it doesn't fit as nicely with pain and stiffness. It also isn't something that comes on later in life and is typically something that starts in adolescence. Osteoarthritis can leave the knee feeling as it is going to give way as well. If the OP's knees have only been doing this in later life, osteoarthritis is more likely. Physiotherapy (e.g. quadriceps-strengthening exercises) are first line treatment for kneecap subluxation anyway.

The OP's GP should be able to distinguish between the two quite easily.

Thanks everyone. My right knee has gone funny, 3 times already today. The first happened just turning over in bed!
I couldn't get through to make an appointment yesterday. I will make it a priority Monday. It is starting to impact on my life. We have low leather sofas that tend to swallow you up (need replacing). I am now eyeing them thinking if I sit down I have to try and get up. The part of the school that I work in is a Victorian build which I love the look of but the stairs are stone and unforgiving and I am up and down them a lot during the days I work.
I think it is wear and tear and it is definitely wearing on my knees, the right one in particular.
I forgot to mention, in 2012 I twisted my right knee, the worst one, quite badly. I only took 2 and a half days off of school as it was the run up to xmas and we were silly busy. I can see now I did myself no favours as I didn't properly rest my knee. I think the consultant I saw at the time mentioned something about arthritis after doing a test on my knee which I couldn't do.

I saw a Dr this morning and she doesn't think it is arthritis because of my explanation on symptoms. She thinks it may be more ligament or tendon related because of the sensation of my knee slipping it(it isn't) and feeling like I can't put weight on it.
I have an x-ray booked for tomorrow but as she said this will only show up the bones. If it isn't bone related she was talking about having an MRI done. She was very good. She did hurt me during my knee and ankle examination but it's to be expected I guess. She has put I am experiencing tenderness on the medial side of my knee.

It's bad again today.

I had exactly this last year - my knee would buckle and get ‘stuck’

I had an MRI and it turned out I had osteoarthritis but just on my kneecap (the rest of the joint is absolutely fine) and because of that I’d developed a ‘bony spur’ which had broken off and was floating around the knee joint periodically getting stuck. I had an arthroscopy to remove a large chunk of bone and it’s been pretty much fine ever since. I’ve had physio to strengthen the muscles around my knee and apart from occasional pain going downhill or downstairs I’m able to walk for miles with no problem. My doctor told me it was enormously helpful that I wasn’t overweight so if you can, get your weight down so that you’re not overloading your joints. The more mobile and active you are, the better.

My money is on the answer being the same as it was for @noitsnotteatimeyet but the XR/MRI will tell all. Glad you're getting it looked into, OP.

I am working on my weight and I am trying to move about as much as I can even though it hurts at times. I will have to cancel my school dinners!

That is just how it feels like it is buckling. It also clicks it's a horrible sensation.

I had the results of my x-ray. It isn't arthritis. I have a calcified? spur and a bit has broken off and is floating around and that is what is causing the pain and swelling. I am being referred for physio, no idea how long I will have to wait for that.