Q: I am having pain in my knees and there is swelling of the muscles below the knee. Whenever I climb stairs there is an audible creek sound. This is only in my left knee and has been there for the past 3-4 months. I am aged 39 years and mother of 2 sons. My weight is about 65 kgs and I do not walk too much. Please advise.

A:It is difficult to judge the location of your pain. I mean whether it is from the knee joint or from outside it. If it is within the knee joint, the problem could be a tear in the meniscus. It is a cushion between the thigh and the leg bones. If it is torn, then it is unlikely that it will heal without treatment. You may have to consult an orthopedic surgeon for that, and possibly get an MRI. If the problem is outside the joint, the treatment can be less dramatic. It can be some tendon rubbing against some bone, or bursa. You may benefit from hot fomentation and anti-inflammatory medication (over the counter). You may also benefit from knee range of motion exercises and physical therapy.