It could be arthritis or just inflammation....the only way to know for sure is to go to the doctor for x-rays. In the meantime try taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) you can buy without a prescription contain ibuprofen. Examples: advil, motrin, naproxen, and aleve. Aspirin is another example of an NSAID you can buy without a prescription but some people find it to irritate their stomach. Another thing to try is to ice the knee for 20 minutes..several times a day. Ice helps with inflammation. Physical therapy helps if it is arthritis but you need a diagnosis first. Moving seems to help keep the joints loose and makes it easier to get around.

After checking out your knee the doctor could possibly give you a cortisone shot which helps some people with the pain for several months. It varies depending on the person and the the severity of damage to your knee .

Hoping you get some relief from your pain and that your doctor can provide answers and treatment.

This won't ease the pain you are feeling at the moment but you may want to try it.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain. "