It could be arthritis. 26 years old is NOT too young, even children get diagnosed with junior rheumatoid arthritis.
I would go to a doctor that specializes in the treatment and diagnosis of arthritis.

i was diagnosed with "growing pains" when i was 16 years old....im now 27, and although it does not bother me as much now, i still get pains in my knees every now and then....especially when it gets too cold, or the weather changes quickly.

i really dont think 26 is too young to get arthritis....hell, i have tendonitis in my right wrist and index finger....anything's possible.

i agree with Marianne0558....go see a doctor that specializes in arthritis and see what he/she says.....best of luck to you.

there's no question that 26 is not too young for arthritis. i highly recommend going to see a rheumatologist and make sure he gets as much of a history of your situation as you can give him.

Kryssja...have you ever been tested for Osgood Schlatter's? In rare cases it can leave you with problems with your joints...

lukeandjo123 ... I have had Chondromalatial Osteo-Arthritis since I was 21...due to patella-alta, due to Osgood Schlatters...

No I am 20 and I have arthritis and have had it for a few years now

I really hope that 26 is to young to have arthritis cause im 25 and i got a phone call about 2 hours ago telling me i have arthritis in my back. I am not sure what to do can i stop it from getting worse? can i make the pain better? I have 2 small children and just giving baths at night time is hard how much worse is this going to get? I have a follow up appointment in 2 weeks so until then i get to sit here going crazy sounds like fun huh?

There are different types of arthritis, so the classic "osteoarthritis" might not be what you have. By the way, there is no such thing as "growing pains."

I suggest visiting a rheumatologist to get some bloodwork and aspirates done.

You can get Arthritis at any age. I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis when i was 22 and I'm now 26. It sucks, but once you know you have it you can work at taking care of yourself and getting treatment for it.

they were asking the same thing about me, i was diagnosed when i was 10, im 22 now.. its obviously not too early..

im personally not sure if u have arthritis, cos it doesn't evolve as slowly as it seems to in your case, but im not a specialist. you should definetly see a specialist.

i was diagnosised with arthritis when i was 15 and that was due to perthes disease which was diagnoisied when i was 3. i am 19 and since last year i have really struggled with my hip and knee.
i was just thinking that maybe it's not yr knees
most pain is refered pain
when i first had problems it was my lower legs and knees luckly they x rayed my hips and wala i was diagnosised
also it could just be a weakened muscle where physio would be helpful
i currently can't take no painkillers and have tryed everything the best thing is heat it has really helped me and now undergoing steroid injections into my hip joint
one more thing painkillers are good if going sleep because you rest your knees but do not take painkillers while running or anything strenuous.(you always need to be aware of your limits) don't rely on them because your can make your problem worse.( i no what your thinking how can you say that. but i've had 17 years of wincing and sleepless nights but you don't want to make it worse) and swimming and light exercise is great because it keeps the joint mobile as u no stiffness in joints can just be worse
anyway if you strongly believe you have this. then question your doctors i find because we are young we can sometimes not be taken as serious as other people but get this cheaked out and find a physiotheropist
but im no doctor this is just what i've found helps me

jayne carney (19) good luck

hi i got diagnosed with perthes disease at 10 i had pins and plates put in my hip im now 24 and suffer from bad rhumatoid arthritus im my legs im on 4 differant painkillers and a sleeping tablet at night iam in constant aggony with my legs and looks like its just going to get worse as i get older!!

This post is being reviewed and is temporarily unavailable.