<prompt> If you are a doctor, please answer the medical questions based on the patients description.I have an injury to my left knee. I don t know how I did it, it started almost a month ago. I ve see a surgeon who says the x-ray is fine. I have a MRI in 5 days. For now I m told I have a stress fracture. My knee is swollen, tender to touch, hurts to move, to walk on. My question is: If the MRI shows nothing, what would be the diagnosis, treatment for this? For now I m on crutches, taking over-the-counter pain medication doing the RICE method. My mom is a RN says the thinks I need surgery,even if it s aurthoscopic. ? Can someone help me to know what could be done for this? Thank you!  <response>: Hello, A normal MRI would indicate just mild inflammation. Anyway, with a swollen knee, I would not expect the MRI to result normal. If there is a fracture or ligament rupture, surgery with arthroscopy would be the best treatment option. In the meantime, I recommend taking ibuprofen for the pain, immobilization and using local cold packs. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. 