What do I (k)need? Symptoms and solution for your knee pain.
What do I (k)need? Symptoms and solution for your knee pain.
We ask a lot from our knees. Whether we’re walking, running, squatting, jumping, or just sitting, that hinge in the middle of our legs is in almost constant use. And if you’ve had a knee injury or repeated knee stress, that constant use can also mean constant pain.
Diagnosis
There are a number of ways you might injure your knees and a number of conditions that may cause knee pain. Before beginning any course of treatment, your family physician or orthopaedist will want to conduct one or more diagnostic procedures including:
● X-rays
● Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
● Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan)
● Arthroscopy, a minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure
Possible causes
Based on the results of diagnostic tests, your physician will then make a determination as to the most likely cause of your knee pain. While every situation is different, of course, there are a few causes of knee pain that are most common:
● Sprained or strained knee ligaments and/or muscles, usually caused by a blow to the knee or a sudden twist of the knee. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and difficulty in walking.
● Torn cartilage or menisci (pads of connective tissue that act as shock absorbers and also enhance stability) may occur with sprains or other injury. Treatment may involve wearing a brace during an activity to protect the knee from further injury. Surgery may be needed to repair the tear.
● Inflammation of the tendons, known as tendonitis, may result from overuse of a tendon during certain activities such as running, jumping, or cycling. Tendonitis of the patellar tendon is called jumper’s knee, which often occurs in sports such as basketball, where the force of hitting the ground after a jump strains the tendon.
● Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis affecting the knee, is a degenerative process where the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. It often affects middle-age and older people and may be caused by excess stress on the joint, repeated injury, or being overweight. Rheumatoid arthritis, which often affects people at an earlier age than osteoarthritis, can also affect the knees by destroying the knee cartilage.
Treatment solutions
Both non-operative and surgical treatment options are available to treat knee pain and problems depending on the type and severity of the condition. Depending on your situation, your orthopaedist may recommend either surgical or non-surgical treatment options, or a combination of both.
● Nonsurgical solutions
○ Physical therapy
○ Anti-inflammatory medications
○ Steroid or anti-inflammatory injections
● Surgical solutions
○ Arthroscopy to repair tears or remove bone fragments
○ Partial or full knee replacement surgery
If you have been experiencing knee pain from an ongoing problem or recent injury, your next step may be orthopaedic treatment that can provide long-term relief from painful symptoms.
Working with a specialized practice like DOC Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Decatur and Hartselle, you can take advantage of the expertise of our 10 providers as part of our multidisciplinary musculoskeletal practice.
Since 1972, DOC Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine has been committed to providing exceptional orthopaedic care through innovative techniques, quality services, patient communication, and education. With specialties ranging from general orthopaedics and physical therapy to sports medicine, joint replacement and more, the doctors at DOC Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine can provide local expert care for any orthopaedic disorder or injury and help put your life back in motion.