Diagnose me whilst I wait for my appointment

[MegGriffin]

One knee is swollen. Slightly warmer than the other but not red. No injury. It has come me on gradually over about 3 months, initially only if I kneeled back on it. Now I can bend it but not all the way without severe pain. Some intermittent clicking/catching (sometimes painful). Going down the stairs is uncomfortable as well. If I had injured it, it would make sense so I'm confused. Any suggestions in the mean time?

Prepatellar bursitis if swelling over kneecap. More diffuse swelling osteoarthritis (depending on your age and previous injuries)

Thank moreismore. I'm 49 and have never had any knee problems (I do have ongoing back problems) the swelling is around the knee cap and under and the knee looks overall bigger without a specific bump if that makes sense. I shall Google your suggestions, thank you.

I would agree, sounds like Bursitis. Rest and ice and ibuprofen help. If you notice severe pain or fever, get it looked at asap as it can get infected. Feel better soon x

Have you any stiffness in the mornings or.on resting (anywhere). Or pain anywhere else? Could be an arthritis

Hello again, thank you for your replies so far. I had my appointment and an x ray last week and have had a call today from the surgery saying the doctor will speak to me about my knee the next telephone surgery 19th. Initially when I saw her she said ring for results and refer yourself for physio as most things are treated the same for knees so I'm wondering why she is calling me? I'm so grateful for the amazing service we have in our nhs.

Meniscus issue possibly - clicking/catching and pain going stairs are barn door signs. Having said that, I’m relying on my physio training from hundreds of years ago and I ended up being a respiratory physio so not exactly reliable!!! 😂 You wouldn’t be able to see a meniscus problem on x-ray though, you’d need a scan

Good luck!

Ah thank you Chelseacat I do have all those symptoms. The strange thing is that I have no memory of injuring it but maybe these things can happen gradually.

Maybe some arthritic changes?

It's nice to come back with an answer to the original post so here it goes. I spoke to the doctor this morning and I have arthritis and housemaids knee. I'm not sure what type of arthritis and whether that matters?. I have been advised to self refer for physio.