Should i get a second opinion?

i went to the doctor today becuase of knee problems. it hurts when i walk and it grinds and pops. it will sometimes lock-up or give out. i expecially hurts when i use stairs. the orthapedic doctor said that my knee cap and ligaments are not lined up. he gave me a little knee support that goes right under the knee cap to hold it in place for when i play sports. and ordered physical therapy. it's the kind of thing that has just gotten worse over time - there was never any sudden injurty. now i don't think that the support is helping at all and i don't think the diagnosis is correct. he also wouldn't prescribe any pain medication when i ask for it, he just told me to take 3 advil, which has never worked in the past and i told him that. he said that if it doesn't get better in 6 WEEKS, to go back to have an MRI, that seems like a wery long time! should i get a seccond oppinion

Find a chiropractor that specializes in sports injuries. A chiropractor is a neuromusculoskeletal specialist. In other words, if it has to do with nerves, muscles or bones they should be able to help you fix your knee. 2 possibilities in your case. The instability you feel sounds like a muscle problem that needs to be rehabed (again a sports chiropractor would be able to help you) The locking up of your knee and the grinding sounds like you may have joint mice (little fragments of bone and/or cartilage floating around your knee joint). They will drift around the knee and sometimes lock it up when they wedge into the joint. A chiropractor would recognize this and suggest you get your knee scoped by an orthopedic surgeon. Very easy procedure and you usually are able to walk home the same day. Chiropractors are doctors and have the same diagnosis training as a medical doctor, only they specialize in neuromusculoskeletal problems such as yours.

Good luck

have another one check it out. i would say. or just keep tellin himits hurtin tooooo much. so he can give you something .

Yes.....get a second opinion..please

If you just went to the doctor today, GIVE IT TIME!
The problem didn't happen overnight, so it's not reasonable to expect it to go away in one day!

ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION NO MATTER WHAT THE DIAGNOSIS!

I would give the support about 3 days to help with the pain. But I'm wondering why he didn't give you any pain meds.

The physical therapy is going to hurt. It will be awhile before you are pain free. If there is another doctor in the area, I would check him out. Just to be safe. But don't tell him you already seen a doc, tell him after he gives you his diagnosis, that way there, you can explore your options.

Yes of course get a second opinion. If you feel the need to even question a doctor's diagnosis, I say it is time to get a second opinion. We have a conscience for a reason. :-)

no...i had the same thing done to me and i thought the same thing you did..."this wont work and will be a waste of my time" but i tried it anyway and im actually doing better, so go and do what he said and continue with the excercises the PT department gives to you and you will not belive it...

sounds like the cartilage is gone from underneath you kneecap. You might need surgery

This is what you call the start of an ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT or ACL (check the web). It happens to individuals who over used their knee/s in activities mostly sports related.
You have to take a second opinion of course! Suggest that when at home and doing nothing, put ice pack on your knee to prevent swelling. Therapy is still the cure. If you abuse it by entering into rugged sports activities, it might damage your knee more! Worse is kneee dislocation with torn ligaments (ouch!). If this happens, a surgery will be conducted. You'll end up like Robocop and have to be sidelined for at least a year on sports.
Take care...

If ever you feel unsure of a doctor's diagnosis, you should get a second opinion, maybe of someone more experienced in that certain field.