Knee Pain Treatment
As the largest joint in the body, and one of the most complex, the knee plays an important role in one’s everyday life. If you are experiencing knee pain, simple tasks such as walking and standing may become difficult, so it’s important to diagnose and seek treatment in a timely manner.
What is Knee Pain?
Because of the knee’s placement, it tends to get a great deal of use whether you keep a very active lifestyle, or one that tends to be more sedentary. The knee is primarily comprised of three main bones: the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap). In addition, there are tendons and ligaments that help connect the bones to other bones and muscles as well as cartilage that can help your knee bones move smoothly across one another.
If any of these structures are injured or weakened, the result is a pain radiating in your knee region. Knee pain can also be triggered by other problems that can affect the area, such as a foot or ankle injury. This pain will continue to be aggravated due to exercise or general activity over time, and may require advanced treatment or surgery if it becomes too severe.
Symptoms and Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain can be caused by a number of different things and can affect people of all ages. They can also range in level of pain and severity, making it even more important to seek resolve at an early stage.
Common Symptoms of Knee Pain
- Swelling and redness.
- An inability to fully extend your knee or leg.
- Problems walking or a shifting of weight to the opposite leg.
- Locking of the knee (inability to bend).
While some of these symptoms may point to a minor aggravation, some can mean something more severe like a torn meniscus or fracture. It’s important to tell your doctor the location from where the pain is radiating as that will give a clue to the diagnosis. Most often, inflammation or minor injuries will affect the whole knee, while something more severe will cause pain in one specific location.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain can commonly be grouped into a few different categories including acute injuries and overuse injuries. However, it’s important to seek help from a qualified orthopedic doctor to properly diagnose the injury prior to treatment. The below examples are only a small percentage of the possible causes.
Acute Injuries Can Include:
Overuse Injuries Can Include:
- Degeneration or Stress of the Patella
If you are currently experiencing knee pain, you are most likely seeking quick resolve from the issue. While there are many opportunities for prevention, the level of severity will determine any possible treatment options. Some non-surgical treatment options include:
Some surgical treatments include:
- Partial or Total Knee Replacement
- Arthroscopic Surgery
- ACL reconstruction and repairs
- Meniscus repairs
If you are experiencing minor knee pain, make sure to take breaks from your normal activities, rest, and ice/elevate your leg to prevent swelling and inflammation.
Why choose Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine?
We know that knee surgery isn’t always necessary, and is certainly not the first or only method of treatment. Our goal is to relieve pain and help restore the proper function and alignment of the knee with a treatment plan that fits your need. Our qualified team takes their extensive training and fellowship and puts it to use developing a unique treatment plan for you. Not to mention, our physicians have been leading research in the United States for ligament injuries, so you can be confident in the approach our team takes in returning you to your active lifestyle.
For more information on treatment of knee injuries, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!