[hlela]

I've been getting extremely sharp pains in my right knee when I straighten it and sometimes it feels like the pain is shooting up my kneecap, like to the top of it.. Its more on the outside, lower part of my knee cap though. My profession calls for me to stand up for 15-20 hours at a time on a moving fishing vessel and this injury or whatever is really taking a toll on me. I finally decided that I should go to the doctor, but because it isnt an Emergency and I live in a very rural place that doesnt have a big hospital, doctors wont accept patients. I mean, if there was a car accident or something, they would take people in, but not for this.I was hoping that someone would be able to tell me what it COULD be, this was i could possibly prepare a little?I'm 19...i dont think it could be a case of needing a knee replacement at this age...? but i guess i could be wrongI meanth that the doctors wouldnt see anyone over the weekend...and its more like 75 miles to the hospital

[Jen-ee-fur]

osgood schlatter (sp?)its where your patellar tendon begins to pull away from the bones, usually happens in younger people who are very active...whatever it may be, certainly sounds like an issue with the tendons/ligaments, which can turn really serious...good luck

[Andrea T]

You need to find an orthopedic doctor even if you have to go 50 miles or more. A doctor is the only one who could tell you what the problem is. You can take ibuprofen for the pain and keep it elevated when you're able.Your knees are very important (as you now realize) and if you're having this much pain at 19, it will only get worse; especially with your profession. Good luck to you.