Knee pain is one of, if not the most common musculoskeletal complaints that patients share with their knee doctor. Because we use our knees all of the time, for bending, walking and bearing the weight of our entire body, there’s a higher chance for pain and injury. Caused by overuse, injury or a degenerative disease like arthritis, there is ample opportunity for patients to experience joint pain in their knees.
Fortunately, your knee doctor is well-versed in knee pain, and can help you treat your specific cause of pain. Whether you’ve experienced an injury, or have a loss of cartilage due to arthritis, your knee doctor will work to get you back to the joys of your life, so you don’t miss out on all the things you love to do.
What is the knee?
Your knee is a joint made up of four bones: the patella, your knee cap, connects to the femur (thigh bone) and tibia and fibula (leg bones). Your knee also consists of burs, tendons and ligaments that work to hold all of its components together.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Osteoarthritis:
The most common cause of knee pain we see in our patients is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of the firm yet flexible connective cartilage that cushions your joints, usually due to age. This normal wear and tear over time can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty moving the joint. Knee pain due to osteoarthritis can be exacerbated by an injury or infection to the joint. If you have a family history of osteoarthritis, your chances of developing the disease are stronger than those who do not. To diagnose any form of arthritis, your knee doctor will order an x-ray and physical exam.
Injury:
Especially common in athletes and manual laborers, knee pain can also be caused by overuse of the joint or an isolated injury. Before performing physical activity, be sure to stretch properly and build your muscles, especially those in your legs, as your leg muscles are what support your knees. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important, as any extra weight puts additional stress on your joints. Conditioning before starting a sport will also help you to avoid these types of injuries. Some of the most common knee injuries include:
- ACL Injury
- Torn Meniscus
- Fracture
- Tendonitis
- Knee Bursitis
- Dislocated Kneecap
- Hip or Foot Pain that changes how you walk
- Degeneration of Cartilage (Loose Body)
How a Knee Doctor Can Help
If you’re experiencing knee pain due to a chronic illness or injury, a knee doctor can help. These pain management specialists are well-versed in ailments of the knee and can work to treat the cause of your pain, rather than simply managing your symptoms. For many knee pain sufferers, the problem improves with physical therapy and topical/injectable steroids.
Getting treatment early can help stave off invasive surgery such as a knee replacement, so if you’re experiencing chronic knee pain, reach out to your knee doctor as soon as possible. They will work with you to determine the cause of your symptoms and to devise a treatment plan that works for you and your current lifestyle. It’s important to remember that early intervention produces the best results, so the sooner you seek treatment, the better your treatment outlook will be.
Get Help With Your Knee Pain at Minivasive
At Minivasive Pain, our mission is to treat the causes of your knee pain with the highest standards of care and quality. Our experienced team of orthopedic physicians will work diligently to determine the underlying cause(s) of your knee pain. With several conservative treatment options available, surgery should be a last resort to get you back to enjoying your daily life. We have several locations throughout the Greater Houston Area for your convenience. To schedule an appointment, please call (346) 800-6001 now.