I am 25 years old, and I have been a basketball player most of my life, primarily high school and college. At 16ish, I started having patella tendinitis in my left knee. That finally stopped bothering me when I gave up college b-ball at 20.

Around 21, I started getting different pains inside my knee (unable to pinpoint), and it hurt mainly when I would bend it all the way, or extend it all the way. I went to the doctor and he said it was chondromalacia, which a few doctor friends told me is what they say when they don't know what it is.

It was pretty tolerable until about 3 months ago. Now that same pain inside my knee hurts ALL THE TIME. Walking, bending, sitting, and now there is a slight stiffness to it. I am considering going get a cortisone shot just so I can be pain free.


Any advice on what is wrong?