What Are Some Risk Factors
There are a number of factors that can increase your likelihood of experiencing knee pain or dealing with injuries to your knees, including:
Being Overweight: Carrying excess weight can put undue stress on your joints, put you at a higher risk of developing arthritis, which can lead to degeneration of your cartilage and joints.
Certain Sports: Sports like basketball, football, and soccer can put your knees at risk. The jumping, changing directions, and impacts due to falls or collisions can put pressure on your knees.
Past Injuries: If youve injured your knee before, it is more prone to re-injury.
When Should I See A Nerve Doctor Specialist
You should make an appointment to see a nerve doctor specialist if you have any type of ongoing pain that stems from a nerve condition. Even if you do not know what is causing the pain, a specialist can help you to diagnose and understand it. After the cause of your nerve condition has been determined, they can provide you with appropriate treatment, and ongoing support afterwards where necessary.
At Pain Treatment Specialists, our belief is that pain stemming from nerve conditions should not necessarily be managed by constantly taking prescribed narcotics. This method of treatment does not fix the root cause of the pain and it can cause other health concerns of its own, such as an opiate addiction. We also believe that surgery is not always the best option to treat nerve issues, and there are many non-invasive procedures that can be attempted first that achieve the same result. We focus on understanding what is causing your ongoing pain, and then providing alternative treatments to ensure that you can return back to your normal life free of health concerns as soon as possible.
How Long Should Knee Pain Last
How long knee pain will last depends on a number of factors, such as the severity of the injury, if it is a repeat injury, and other lifestyle factors. Pain associated with minor strains or sprains typically lasts around one to two weeks. Pain associated with moderate injuries typically takes around one to three months to heal. Major traumatic injuries to the knee may take up to a year to heal, with pain lingering for the entire duration.
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Stem Cell And Prp Therapy
Many orthopedic doctors also use regenerative medicine to relieve pain and boost injury healing. Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy use components taken from your blood. In stem cell therapy, adult stem cells are harvested and injected into the knee to promote the healing of damaged tissue. In PRP therapy, blood is taken from your body, platelets are isolated and concentrated using a centrifuge machine, and injected into the knee. The platelets contain growth factors that can boost the repair and healing process. Patients with soft tissue injuries and osteoarthritis may benefit from stem cell therapy and PRP therapy.
What Is The Outlook For People With Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is difficult to treat completely but is usually not life-threatening. Youll get the best results from combining rehabilitation with support for your emotional, social and mental wellbeing. You will be able to manage your pain to a level that improves your quality of life with the help of a pain specialist in using some or most of the methods mentioned above.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/07/2020.
References
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Do Orthopedic Surgeons Work On Knees
Orthopedic doctors focus on joints, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and how they interact across the body. Orthopedic doctors choose from a wide array of specialties like Joints and often are the ones who treat injured knees and hips caused by arthritis or another joint limiting condition. Two of our care providers, Dr. Nauman Akhtar and Dr. Matthew Gavin, specialize in joint surgery.
How Long Should You Wait To See A Doctor For Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common problem that affects people of all ages. Because the knee is so complex, several injuries are common to the joint. These injuries can occur over time, during sporting events or other activities.
It can be tempting to disregard knee pain but you should never have to live with pain or weakness. If you are experiencing redness, significant swelling or severe pain, you should consult with one of our surgeons. They can discuss your options so your daily life activities can be pain-free once more.
Continue reading to learn more about knee pain and when you should see a doctor.
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Common Conditions That Rheumatologists Treat:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that often affects many joints at once.
Early diagnosis is key to stopping the progression of this disease and rheumatologists are trained to do exactly that.
A rheumatologist can also make referrals to physical and/or occupational therapy. This can reduce pain during flare-ups and improve your quality of life.
Psoriasis muscular pain
Psoriasis is another common autoimmune disease. It affects the skin, speeding up the growth process of skin cells. This forms thick plaques on the scalp, elbows, chest, and/or the face.
Some types of psoriasis also cause joint or musculoskeletal pain.
In this case, dermatologists work in tandem with rheumatologists.
Tick bite joint pain
Ticks can spread several diseases, the most common being Lyme disease.
During the first 30 days after the bite, you may feel some fatigue, headache, and a fever. Most people also develop a rash in the shape of a bulls eye.
If untreated, Lyme disease can cause several health issues, including:
- Joint pain,
A rheumatologist will work with other physicians to help you manage these symptoms.
What Causes A Pinched Nerve
According to the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, a pinched nerve occurs when the tissue that surrounds a nerve puts pressure on it. The pressure can change how the nerve functions and cause pain or a tingling sensation. This pain or tingling can be temporary or long-lasting, and can be minor or severe.
A pinched nerve can be caused by a herniated disc, which is when one of the discs between the spinal bones pushes out. Spinal stenosis, which is the abnormal narrowing of the body channel occupied by the spinal cord, can also cause a pinched nerve.
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My Knee Swells Up Sometimes And Hurts It Used To Go Away But Now It Is Swollen All The Time What Could Be Wrong When Should I See A Doctor
Knee swelling is a sign that something might be wrong within the knee. A swollen knee may be the result of trauma, overuse injuries, or an underlying disease or condition. To determine the cause of the swelling, your doctor might need to obtain a sample of the fluid to test for infection, disease, or injury. Removing some of the fluid with a small needle also helps reduce the pain and stiffness associated with the swelling. Once your doctor determines the underlying cause of your swollen knee, appropriate treatment can begin.
Do I Need To Go To A Rheumatologist Or An Orthopedist
With so much overlap between medical disciplines and specializations, it is often difficult for an individual to discern which type of doctor to see for their problem.
This is especially true for orthopedics and rheumatology, as both of these types of physicians treat joint pain.
Orthopedists are surgeons who address bone and joint diseases and injuries, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, and body trauma. Rheumatologists are internal medicine physicians who focus on autoimmune conditions and the non-surgical treatment of such diseases, such as arthritis, where medications and/or physical therapy can provide the proper treatment.
It is important to understand the areas these two specialties cover in order to make an informed decision.
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How Do You Diagnose A Groin Hernia
Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin area. Because standing and coughing can make a hernia more prominent, youll likely be asked to stand and cough or strain. If the diagnosis isnt readily apparent, your doctor might order an imaging test, such as an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.
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When To See A Doctor
Most knee pain is the result of aging or continual wear and tear on the joint. Other knee problems are often the result of injury or a sudden change in movement.
Mayo Clinic recommends the following treatment options for knee pain:
- Seek immediate medical attention: If your knee injury is accompanied by a deformed joint, a popping noise, the inability to bear weight, intense pain or sudden swelling, you should seek immediate medical attention.
- Schedule an office visit: If your knee injury results from a forceful impact, or if you experience significant swelling, redness, tenderness and warmth around the joint, significant pain or fever, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
- Self-care: Not all knee pain requires medical treatment. If your knee pain comes on slowly, results from a minor injury or results from a more strenuous activity, it can sometimes be managed at home. You can try over-the-counter pain relievers and should follow the RICE model of self-care.
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How Is Sciatica Affecting Your Quality Of Life
Sciatica pain may extend all the way from the lower back, through the back of your thigh, to your foot. The pain can come and go, sometimes lingering for days and even weeks. This may cause anything from mild discomfort to making the simplest tasks intolerable. Sitting could be painful with sciatica and driving even more so. Not to mention playing sports and being active.
As you contemplate surgery for sciatica, consider how much the pain affects your quality of life. If your work, hobbies, social life or relationships suffer from your being in constant pain, it may be time to think about surgery.
Although sciatica starts as nerve inflammation, it may eventually progress to nerve damage. If the sciatic nerve is damaged, it could result in numbness, tingling and, in more severe cases, weakness in the knees or legs. The longer it is left untreated, the longer it will take for numbness and weakness to go away, and they may become permanent.
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Types Of Knee Pain Doctors
Knee pain doctors can come from various different fields of medicine such as anesthesiologists, physiatrists, neurosurgeons, podiatrists, neurologists, primary care physicians, or orthopedic surgeons.
However, broadly speaking, if you are wondering what kind of doctor for knee pain exists, there are three knee pain specialists palliative care specialists, interventional pain and spine specialists, and chronic pain specialists.
As you can see, there are a lot of options when it comes to what doctor to see for knee pain. But you should look for interventional pain specialists because theyre the only ones who can truly diagnose the root cause of your knee pain and provide long-term relief. An interventional pain specialist will use imaging tests like X-Rays, CT scans, and MRIs to determine the root cause of knee pain.
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Signs Its Time To See A Doctor For Knee Pain
It may be time to visit an orthopedic doctor if you experience any of the following, especially after an incident like an injury following athletics:
- Redness, warmth, and tenderness in the knee
- Significant swelling
- Inability to bear weight on the affected leg
- Fever
- Physical deformity in the area
Chronic knee pain that is not severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room or urgent care may be a sign of a degenerative condition. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting the knee and is a result of age-related changes to the protective cartilage of joints. Osteoarthritis is progressive, meaning it will continue to get worse. If you have to take pain relievers more than a few times a month for knee pain, it is a sign that you should see a doctor.
Also seek medical attention for knee pain that is accompanied by stiffness, swelling, and a limited range of motion. These are signs that an injury or condition exists. Many people ignore such signs, especially as they get older because they think its a part of normal aging. People who are overweight also think its a normal symptom. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. Chronic knee pain, while very common, is not normal. Dont accept it as your fate. There are many treatment solutions available that can reduce or eliminate knee pain.
Pain For More Than 48 Hours
If you have pain in the knee joint that prevents you from walking normally for more than a day or two you should get checked by a doctor.
Some of the causes of pain deep within the joint include abnormalities of the meniscus or cartilage that covers and supports the joint.
The meniscus is referred to as the shock absorber of the knee. The cartilage covers the ends of the leg bones to allow smooth flexion and extension of the knee during walking and running.
Abnormalities of either the meniscus or cartilage can not only limit the smooth range of motion of the joint, but it may contribute to a feeling of deep knee pain.
Beyond the pain itself, a meniscus tear will often cause a popping sensation and may make it feel as if your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.
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What Procedures And Tests Diagnose Knee Pain
A health care professional will begin by asking questions related to the person’s general health and then specifically to the nature of the knee pain .
Next, an examination of the knee will be performed. This will include bending the knee through the full range of motion, checking for stability of the ligaments, and evaluating for any tenderness and swelling. It is often helpful to compare the results of the examination of the painful knee with the other knee. Frequently, this is all that is required to make a diagnosis and start treatment. In several research studies, it has been found that an experienced examiner is as reliable as X-ray examination.
Sometimes the doctor might want to do further studies such as the following tests.
Radiologic tests
Plain X-ray can establish fractures and degenerative changes of the knee.
MRI is used to evaluate the soft tissues of the knee for ligament tears or cartilage and muscle injuries.
Blood tests
If gout, arthritis, or other medical conditions are suspected, a health care professional might order blood tests.
Removal of joint fluid
What Are Risk Factors For Knee Pain
Biomechanics: The knee joint is complicated in its operation and is used frequently throughout the day. Any change in the movement of the joint can cause subtle changes and cause pain and injuries.
Excess weight: The stress on the knee joint is increased with excess weight. Obesity also increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis as the cartilage breaks down more rapidly.
Overuse during repetitive motions as are found during certain exercises or work conditions can cause breakdown of cartilage and lead to pain.
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What Kind Of Doctor Should You See For Knee Pain
The bottom line is, if you have any reason to think you have suffered a serious injury, that’s enough reason to go see a specialist. And speaking of who to visit…
Look for an orthopaedic specialist in your area to give you an accurate diagnosis. The knee is a very intricate, very important part of the body. As such, there are many talented and experienced doctors who specialize solely in the field of knee surgery.
If you are an athlete, I also recommend visiting an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Specialist who has experience with the specific needs of athletes and what it takes to successfully get them back on the field performing at a high level.
When Should You Go To The Doctor For Knee Pain
There are several reasons why knee pain would merit a trip to the doctor, including:
Pain That Affects Your Daily Activities Any pain that interferes with the performance of daily activities should be addressed as soon as possible, as the inability to perform day-to-day activities greatly impedes on ones independence.
Difficulty Walking Our knees play an essential role in walking, and when walking is difficult due to knee pain, it can negatively impact quality of life. If it is difficult to walk, visit a knee pain specialist right away.
Inability to Hold Weight If knee pain is making it difficult to put weight on the joint, it should definitely be evaluated by a knee pain specialist.
Knee Instability Knee instability refers to the knee buckling or giving way. In many instances, merely the feeling of this happening will occur. In either case, it is important to have any knee instability evaluated by a medical professional.
Deformity of the Joint In some instances of knee pain, a deformity may be present. If there is a visible abnormality, especially following an injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Less Sensation in the Knee If the knee is losing sensation, it could indicate a serious problem. Seek medical attention right away.
Pain That Affects Sleep A good nights sleep is vital to our health, and when pain is disrupting sleep or making it hard to fall asleep, it might be a good time to book an appointment with a knee pain specialist.
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