Best Treatment For Knee Pain

Think Twice About These Treatments

Our experts say that some people may find relief with the following therapies but that this may be because of a placebo effect:

Injections. While injections of corticosteroids may ease inflammation and pain, relief is short-lived, and the therapy can cause side effects, such as bone thinning, tendon weakening, and nerve damage. The May 2018 Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons study mentioned above reported that injections of hyaluronic acid, which is also sometimes used for knee OA, don’t have a significant positive effect on pain and function.

Bracing. A 2015 Cochrane review on bracing found that wearing a brace, such as a valgus knee brace, neutral brace, or neoprene sleeve, may have little or no effect on pain reduction, knee function, or quality of life. And because a knee brace must exert enough force on the knee to change your gait, “it’s pretty uncomfortable,” says David S. Jevsevar, M.D., chair of the department of orthopedics at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements. There’s little evidence that these help knee OA, according to the AAOS guidelines. In addition, supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the same way that medications are, and you can’t be sure that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle.

How Long Does It Take To Heal

Knee joint pain treatment is most effective when it is started as soon as possible, particularly with an injury, and when done regularly. For example, using ice 5-6 times a day is going to produce much better results than only using it once.

It can take a while to notice the benefits from knee joint pain treatments as things take time to settle down so it is important to continue with them until things have improved.

Soft tissue injuries usually take 6-12 weeks to heal and strengthening muscles often takes 1-2 months of regular exercise to notice the benefits so don’t give up too soon.

Please remember, you should always consult your doctor with any new incidence of pain to ensure you are getting the best treatment for you and that you aren’t at risk of further injury.

Can You Prevent Knee Pain

There can be many reasons for knee pain. Therefore, there are different strategies to prevent the pain depending on the underlying cause. Running on soft surfaces or decreasing the amount of running can help if the pain is due to overuse. Avoiding any direct injuries to the knee including wearing a seatbelt can prevent traumatic injuries. Weight loss can be helpful for many different forms of knee pain.

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What Is Knee Tendonitis

Knee tendonitis or jumper’s knee, a common, often sports-related injury characterized by inflammation of your patellar tendon. This tendon connects your kneecap to your shinbone . Knee tendonitis is caused by a repeated strain that leads to micro-tears in your tendon. These micro-tears cause inflammation and pain, weaken your tendon, and, if left untreated, can lead to larger tears in your tendon.

Main symptoms

Symptoms of knee tendonitis include:

• Pain above or below the kneecap
• Tenderness behind the lower part of your kneecap
• Pain that occurs with specific activities and stops with rest
• Swelling, may be accompanied by heat or redness
• Chronic pain in severe cases, in spite of resting the joint
• Crackling or grating sensation when moving the tendon

Some symptoms of knee tendonitis are similar to those of more severe conditions like osteoarthritis, tendon tears, and fractures. You should see a doctor if your symptoms dont go away after a few days.

Main causes

Tendonitis is often a repetitive strain injury, which means you get it by repeating the same motion over and over, irritating the tendon. Some of the joints most affected by tendonitis include the elbow, heel, and wrist.

One risk factor is age: over time, tendons lose their flexibility and the involved muscles lose strength, both of which stress the tendons. Other possible risk factors include:

• Feet, ankles, and legs that are misaligned

Who can get it

When Should I Call The Doctor About Knee Pain

See your doctor right away if you have severe knee pain after a fall or accident, or if your knee is too painful or unstable to support your weight. You should also see your doctor if your knee is swollen or you cant extend it all the way. Call your doctor if you have pain that keeps bothering you longer than a few days.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/03/2020.

References

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells Or Mscs

Your bone marrow makes these types of cells. They can grow into new tissues, including cartilage. By gathering these cells and injecting them into the knee joint, the hope is that they will give rise to new cartilage and reduce inflammation.

Itâs a hot area, with clinical trials going on. But most studies are still early.

A review published in 2016 in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders concluded that MSC-based therapies offer an âexciting possibilityâ for treatment, but further studies need to work out how they can best be used and how well they work. Also, they’re expensive.

How Does Physical Therapy Relieve Knee Pain

Knee pain does not have to keep you from doing what you want to accomplish physical therapy at our Acton, Bedford, & Sudbury, MA clinic can make sure of that!

One of our physical therapists will assess your knees for evidence of misalignment or structural damage, as well as evaluate your stance, posture, gait, and range of motion during your first appointment.

A personalized treatment plan will be created to remove unnatural tension and strain on your knees, and you and your doctor will work together to enhance your overall joint function so you can return to your regular activities with more flexibility and less pain.

You will be given specific exercises to improve the stability of your knees and relieve your pain. Joint mobilization may also be included in your treatment plan to improve joint movement or other soft tissue treatments that relieve pain and promote the healing of damaged tissues.

The physical therapy treatments at Achieve Physical Therapy might be able to help you avoid having to undergo costly and painful surgery as well.

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The Best Way To Relieve Knee Arthritis Pain

• Most effective:corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections
• Least effective: acetaminophen

So what does this mean for you? If you have knee osteoarthritis and have not tried corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections to relieve your pain, you may want to ask your doctor if its right for you.

See How Effective is Weight Loss for Treating Knee Arthritis Pain?

Another point to keep in mind is relieving the pain of a degenerating joint though medicationoral or injectabledoes nothing to improve the condition of the joint. In fact, too many cortisone injections can actually harm the joint’s soft tissues, which is why your doctor will restrict how often you can receive them.

In order to improve the joint’s condition, the best method is to use the window of pain relief provided by medication to get going with a physical therapy or exercise program.

How Knee Arthritis Is Treated

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Knee arthritis is extremely common, especially as you age, and can prevent you from participating in your daily activities. While there are many different types of arthritis, the most frequently seen variety in the knee is osteoarthritis , which typically causes pain and stiffness as you bend or straighten the knee.

Fortunately, there are a wide variety of treatment options available for osteoarthritis, which are detailed in the sections below.

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What Are Knee Pain Symptoms And Signs

• Chronic use/overuse conditions: osteoarthritis, chondromalacia, IT band syndrome, patellar syndromes, tendinitis, and bursitis

Below is a list of some of the more common causes of knee pain. This is not an all-inclusive list but rather highlights a few common causes of knee pain in each of the above categories.

Acute knee injuries

Fractures: A direct blow to the bony structure can cause one of the bones in the knee to break. This is usually a very obvious and painful knee injury. Most knee fractures are not only painful but will also interfere with the proper functioning of the knee or make it very painful to bear weight . All fractures need immediate medical attention. Many fractures require significant force, and a thorough examination is performed to detect other injuries.

Ligament injuries: The most common injury is the ACL injury. An ACL injury is often a sports-related injury due to a sudden stop and change in directions. The remaining ligaments are injured less frequently.

Meniscus injuries: The menisci are made of cartilage and act as shock absorbers between bones in the knee. Twisting the knee can injure the meniscus.

Dislocation: The knee joint can be dislocated, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Knee dislocation can compromise blood flow to the leg and have other related problems. This injury often occurs during a motor-vehicle accident when the knee hits the dashboard.

How To Get Moving Every Day

In addition to physical therapy, its critical to incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine.

Joints are built to move, says Dr. Day. The evidence shows that people who are least active have more arthritis pain than people who do some form of exercise. Choose lower-impact activities, such as bicycling, swimming or exercising in a pool.

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Diagnosis For Knee Tendonitis

Knee tendonitis is diagnosed in a medical exam with your orthopedic or sports medicine doctor. Your doctor will take a full medical history to understand your normal activity level, the kind of sports you play, and your symptoms and when they occur. They will then go over some remedies that reduce the pain.

Your doctor will examine your knee, putting pressure on it to see where it hurts, and testing to see how well it moves. The doctor may also order an x-ray, MRI, or ultrasound to determine if there is severe damage to the bones or tendons.

Facts You Should Know About Knee Pain

• Knee pain is a common problem with many causes, from acute injuries to complications of medical conditions.
• Knee pain can be localized to a specific area of the knee or be diffuse throughout the knee.
• Knee pain is often accompanied by physical restriction.
• A thorough physical examination will usually establish the diagnosis of knee pain.
• The treatment of knee pain depends on the underlying cause.
• The prognosis of knee pain, even severe knee pain, is usually good although it might require surgery or other interventions.

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How To Know If Your Knee Pain Is Serious

Usually, pain in the knee wont be a sign of anything serious. However, it might require medical attention if the pain is very severe, doesnt get better, or is accompanied by other symptoms.

The NHS recommends seeing a GP if:

• Your knee pain doesnt get better after several weeks
• Your knee locks or gives way, or is clicking painfully

You should seek more urgent help usually by calling 111 if your knee:

• Is very painful
• Is very swollen or has changed shape
• Is too sore, stiff or weak for you to move it or put any weight on it
• Is hot or red especially if you are also feeling feverish, with a high temperature

Protection Rest Ice Compression And Elevation

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation may help treat mild knee pain that results from a soft tissue injury, such as a sprain.

Protection refers to protecting the knee from further injury, for example, by taking a break from the activity that caused it.

Rest can reduce the risk of further injury and give tissues time to heal. However, stopping all movement is not advisable, as this can lead to stiffness and, in time, muscle weakness.

Ice can help reduce swelling and inflammation. It should be wrapped in a cloth and applied for 20 minutes several times on the first day of injury. Never put ice directly the skin, as this can lead to further damage.

Compression with a knee support, for example, can increase comfort levels. The support or bandage should be firm but not tight.

Elevation, or keeping the leg raised, will encourage circulation and reduce swelling. Ideally, the knee should be above the level of the heart.

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What Medical Conditions Cause Knee Pain

Medical conditions

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can affect any joint in the body. It can cause severe pain and disability, as well as swelling.

Gout is a form of arthritis that is most commonly found in the big toe, though it can also affect the knee. Gout tends to flare up and is extremely painful during acute episodes. When there is no flare-up, the knee can be pain-free.

With , the knee joint can become infected this leads to pain, swelling, and fever. This condition requires antibiotics and drainage treatments as soon as possible.

Chronic use/overuse conditions

Patellar tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons connecting the kneecap to the shinbone . Patellar tendinitis is a chronic condition often found in individuals repeating the same motion during exercise .

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is caused by degeneration or stress under the kneecap where it meets the thighbone . Patellofemoral pain syndrome occurs in runners and cyclists.

Osteoarthritis: a wearing down of cartilage of the joint due to use and age

Prepatellar bursitis: Inflammation to the bursa in front of the kneecap may cause anterior knee pain.

Other causes

Simple Home Exercises And Stretches Can Help Ease Some Common Types Of Knee Pain

If youve got sore knees, exercise might seem like the hardest thing you can do but its also one of the best.

“Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for knee pain,” says Dr. Lauren Elson, an instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.

The right combination of strengthening and stretching exercises can relieve pain by helping to improve the way the joint moves and functions.

“The knee is often an innocent bystander between the hip and the foot. Knee pain is often caused by problems occurring above or below,” says Dr. Elson.

For example, weak hip muscles may cause more strain on the knee, intensifying your pain. Strengthening the muscles around the hip joint can help relieve it, says Dr. Elson.

In addition, knee pain is sometimes caused or aggravated by tight muscles around the knee, a problem that is often successfully addressed by stretching. If the muscles arent flexible, the knee joint sometimes wont move properly, says Dr. Elson.

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How To Relieve Knee Pain: Treatments

When discussing how to relieve knee pain with your doctor, theyll likely choose the knee pain treatment that best reflects your condition.

If your doctor thinks an inflammation or infection is the problem, theyll start with a blood test. Some doctors may suggest an arthrocentesis procedure. During this procedure, the doctor will take a small amount of fluid from your knee joint for testing.

For underlying conditions, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will likely prescribe medications for knee pain relief.

Physical therapies and exercise can also work for knee pain treatment.

For example, physical therapy and exercises can strengthen the muscles around the knee. Physically active patients, on the other hand, will require specific exercises to correct movement patterns that are causing knee pain.

Your doctor might suggest injection medications for knee pain treatment, such as:

• Corticosteroids
• Hyaluronic acid
• Platelet-rich plasma

Intense knee injuries may require surgery. Possible surgeries that can help if youre looking for how to relieve knee pain include:

• Arthroscopic surgery

Ask your doctor about the best treatment for your knee condition.

Torn Acl Symptoms And Signs

With an acute injury, the patient often describes that they heard a loud pop and then developed intense pain in the knee. The pain makes walking or weight-bearing very difficult. The knee joint will begin to swell within a few hours because of bleeding within the joint, making it difficult to straighten the knee.

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Knee Pain: Common Causes And Treatments

Approved by our Clinical team & vert Jan 18, 2022

Experiencing pain in your knee is pretty common and not always something that needs medical attention although in cases where pain is very severe or persists for several weeks, a visit to the GP is recommended.

If youre currently having knee pain, read on to find out what might be the cause, how to treat the pain, and when to get medical help.

Q What Kind Of Doctor Should I See For My Knee Pain

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Supplements For Those With Mild Pain

For people with milder pain, Dr. Day suggests trying supplements, such as the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin or the spice turmeric.

The evidence for glucosamine and chondroitin is mixed, but they are safe. So it might be worth trying. However, people with a shellfish allergy may not be able to tolerate them. Any effect wont kick in right away. Dr. Day recommends trying it for six to eight weeks. If you notice improvement, great if not, then stop it, she says.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, and there is some evidence for its usefulness for painful knee arthritis. You can add turmeric to your food or take it as a supplement. It can thin blood, so people who take a blood thinning medication should not use turmeric.