Where do I go?

I've dealt with my knees cracking since I was a toddler. It was always pain-free cracking until recently. A couple months ago my knees started hurting every now and then and the past 3-4 weeks they've hurt pretty damn bad. I've mentioned it to my doctor and he's refusing to do anything about it or even look at/feel my knees. Our local doctors are seriously horrible, I have to take my children an hour away for a pedi and 2.5 hours away (1 way) for any specialists and for my daughter's asthma. The doctors here are just ridiculous so I know I'll have to travel to get this problem addressed. However, which doctor should I see and will I somehow need to get a referral or can I just call the specialists office and schedule myself?

Needing a referral usually depends on your insurance. I would try to see an orthopedic doctor. You could find one and call their office, let them know what insurance you have, and see if you need a referral.

A doctor that specializes in orthopedics? I have the same problem. I sound like an old lady when I move, lol.

Okay, that's what I thought. My elbows, wrists, ankles, fingers, and knees all crack and cause me pain. Thank goodness the pain just started because I've been cracking like an old lady for years.

There's a strong background of arthritis on my bio dad's side and he and his daughter both have lupus and his son is expected to have it but the blood tests don't show it so they won't diagnose him... I'm not in contact with them so I don't know much about it but I do know it can cause bone cracking and such and I also have kidney and bladder problems so it just worries me a little.

Quoting Kait.:" Okay, that's what I thought. My elbows, wrists, ankles, fingers, and knees all crack and cause me pain. ... [snip!] ... but I do know it can cause bone cracking and such and I also have kidney and bladder problems so it just worries me a little. "

Well, then I would start with an orthpedist, but sounds like you need to see rheumatology as well!

Quoting I ♥ Jack & Amelia :" Well, then I would start with an orthpedist, but sounds like you need to see rheumatology as well!"

This.

Okay, I'll look into it because honestly I have no idea what any of that entails.

Thank you both very much