I finally got a chance to see an orthopedist about my ailing left knee. The good news is that I do not have arthritis beyond what is normal for someone my age and this is not the cause of my pain. The bad news is that I have a very clear case of patellar tendonitis sometimes called Jumper’s Knee. This condition is very treatable with rest and will take care of itself if I stop playing soccer. Fortunately there are only two games left in the season and I will have the entire summer to recuperate.

The doctor did notice something else, probably related to a previous injury, that he felt might be the underlying cause of the tendonitis and ordered an MRI to confirm his suspicions.