Should I Get My Knee Checked Out
Knee injuries and pain can limit your lifestyle and daily activity. It is important to address knee issues early to avoid more serious issues. Here are some ways to know it is time to see a knee doctor.
- Does knee pain keep you from using stairs?
- Do you avoid walking due to knee pain?
- Is your knee swollen in the front or back?
- Did you feel a pop when the knee started hurting?
- Can you stand on the painful knee?
- Does your knee feel hot?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to get your knee checked out.
Swelling For More Than 48 Hours
The first thing that can happen after an acute injury is swelling around the site of the injury.
When the knee is injured, it can swell as a result of inflammation or possibly bleeding into the knee joint. This swelling can causes pain and loss of motion, which limits the use of the knee.
Swelling is usually obvious and can be seen, but occasionally you may just feel as though something is swollen even though it looks normal.
Swelling within a joint can cause pain and stiffness. It may sometimes lead to a clicking sound as the tendons snap over one another after having been pushed into a new position from the swelling.
If the knee looks deformed or misaligned, don’t delay in seeking treatment. It could be a sign of a fracture or dislocation. These injuries should be evaluated and addressed in a timely fashion to address the source of injury and prevent long term effects.
What Natural Home Remedies Relieve Knee Pain
Over-the-counter pain medications can frequently alleviate the pain. If someone is taking these medications on a regular basis, he or she should see a health care professional to evaluate the knee pain for proper diagnosis and to avoid the potential side effects of chronic medication use.
The RICE mnemonic is often helpful, especially for minor injuries:
Rest: Rest the joint, and take a break from your usually activities involving the knee joint.
Ice: Applying ice can help with pain and inflammation.
Compress: A compression bandage can help prevent swelling and help knee alignment. It should not be tight and should be removed at night.
Elevate: Elevation can help with swelling and resting of the knee.
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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.
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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Our Specialized Knee Pain Treatment
At Aurora, our orthopedists are committed to providing compassionate care for knee pain. We offer:
- Emphasis on prevention: A healthy, active lifestyle can help you prevent knee pain and painful joints. Our primary care doctors can help you maintain orthopedic wellness and prevent injuries at every age.
- One of the largest health care providers in Wisconsin: If your knee pain becomes serious, your doctor can immediately refer you to the right specialists and resources. Thats because our large team of experts is connected by a single, fully integrated health system.
- Seamless chain of care: Whether you need orthopedic specialists, primary care doctors, integrative medicine providers, physical therapists or a combination approach, our providers work together to give you the best care possible.
- Top-tier specialists: Our expert team includes over 70 orthopedic surgeons, many of whom are fellowship trained. This team sees many people for orthopedic care and joint replacement surgery, which translates to deep experience in treating all types of orthopedic problems – including knee pain.
- Faster, more advanced surgery: We offer leading-edge treatments that arent widely available elsewhere. Many of these treatments involve minimally invasive surgery options, which can help you recover faster. Learn more about minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.
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
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When To See A Doctor
There are times when you still have to see a doctor to treat your knee joint pain. Especially if you experience the following conditions:
- You are unable to stand and walk.
- You feel unbearable pain in your knee, even when you are not walking.
- The knees are immovable.
- You cant straighten your knee.
- Accompanied by fever.
- You feel pain, swelling, numbness, or a bluish bruise that radiates to your calf.
- You still have pain after 3 days of self-care at home.
The doctor will help to diagnose the cause behind your knee pain and provide appropriate treatment. For example, if the pain is caused by bursitis , the doctor will drain fluid from your knee.
If you have arthritis , you must take certain medications to relieve these symptoms. Meanwhile, for those of you who have knee ligament injuries or knee dislocation, you may have to undergo surgical procedures.
Your doctor may also recommend that you undergo a series of physical therapy to restore knee function. This therapy should be done under the guidance of a licensed therapist. If your doctor permits, you can do light exercise regularly yourself and according to the doctors instructions.
How Do I Find A Knee Pain Doctor New York Or Knee Pain Doctor New Jersey
When they are looking for a knee pain doctor, New York residents often begin by searching online for âknee pain doctor NYCâ or âknee pain doctor NJ.â These search terms can bring people to thePain Treatment Center website, where they can learn more about treatments for knee pain and schedule an appointment with a qualified, board-certified doctor.
No matter what the cause of your knee pain, it is important to get diagnosis and treatment from an experienced knee pain specialist. Only an expert knee pain doctor can correctly diagnose your knee pain and recommend a treatment that is likely to help. Instead of suffering in silence and risking your knee pain getting worse, schedule a consultation today at apain treatment center in New Jersey or New York.
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What Doctor To See For Knee Pain
What is a knee specialist called? An Orthopedic doctor is someone who specializes in the treatment of injuries and conditions that affect muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. They can treat broken bones and replace painful joints.
They will be your primary doctor for knee injuries, and pain caused, for example, at work or in an auto accident. An Orthopedic surgeon is an expert in the proper diagnosis of common knee injuries. They are skilled in both non-surgical and surgical treatments of the musculoskeletal system.
Because knee injury is a common workplace injury, many people who suffer workers compensation injuries need orthopedic treatment.
Depending on your injury, some common treatments provided by orthopedic doctors are:
- Medications
- Injections
- Diagnostic imaging, such as x-rays and MRIs.
Orthopedic surgeons first explore nonsurgical options such as pain medication and rehabilitation. When needed, they have the expertise to perform surgery to repair your injury.
An orthopedic doctor should evaluate any knee pain that does not respond to rest or disappears soon after the work incident. Look for signs such as swelling deformity, inability to bend, discomfort when walking, increasing pain, and fever.
You Feel Like Your Knee Will Give Out
Instability in the knee or the feeling that your knee will collapse if you put pressure on it often indicates a ligament injury. Injuries to one or more of the knee ligaments, which are the structures that connect the bones, can lead to the bones not being held tightly enough in position. If they are stretched or torn due to an injury, instability is one of the most obvious warning signs. While it is also possible for people to experience instability symptoms from less severe knee injuries, the only way to tell the difference is by having your knee examined by a doctor.
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Explore The Many Causes Treatments For Knee Pain
We put our bodies through a significant amount of strain each day, therefore, it is no surprise that painful symptoms can develop over time. Knee problems are often the product of this every day wear and tear. Work-related tasks, sports or even doing things around the house and in the yard can put a strain on the knees.
The nerves that provide sensation to our knees derive from the lower back and are the same nerves that connect to our hips, legs and ankles. Therefore, knee pain can be caused by the knee joint itself, or it can be the result of strains elsewhere the hips, ankles or lower back. Types of knee injuries can generally be divided into two categories: acute and chronic injuries.
An acute injury is typically the result of a sudden movement. This could include abnormal twisting and bending, or even a fall. These kinds of injuries to the knee can be recognized by sudden extreme pain, which is worsened by moving the joint, or putting any kind of weight on it. Since the knee is so complex, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the injury without seeing a physician.
Other possible outcomes of an acute injury include:
- Ligament injuries including to the ACL, PCL and/or MCL
Knee Doctor In St Peters Or Ofallon Missouri
The orthopedic doctors at Advanced Bone & Joint specialize in treating conditions affecting the hip and knee, among others. We provide alternative therapies for pain relief and surgery for patients with damaged knee joints due to arthritis. We also provide rehabilitation services in our facility. Our orthopedic doctors are ready to see you in our orthopedic urgent care clinic.
If you would like to make an appointment, call 229-4222 or use our convenient online form. Our friendly and highly-qualified team of physicians and health care specialists looks forward to serving you in our clinic.
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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.
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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Type Of Doctor To See For Knee Pain
A lot of people are confused about which doctor to see for knee pain. To get the best possible treatment, choose an orthopedic doctor. Orthopedic doctors have the specialized knowledge and training needed to treat a wide variety of problems affecting the musculoskeletal system bones, joints, cartilage, muscles, and nerves including the knees. Orthopedic doctors can treat acute and chronic knee pain and improve your quality of life. They can also provide preventive care for patients who would like to protect their knees and make them last a long time.
Should I See An Orthopedic Doctor For My Knee Pain
Its hard to know when to see a doctor about knee pain, and even harder, sometimes to know what type of doctor to see. If you suffer from knee pain, one of the best things to do is start with the standard treatment for knee pain or injury: over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain meds like ibuprofen along with PRICE therapy .
Your knee should begin to heal and your pain should decrease after a week of this treatment. If youre still having significant pain after a week, you should get in touch with an orthopedic doctor. As a specialist in bone, joint and soft tissue injuries, orthopedic specialists know how to track down whats causing your pain and treat it.
Whatever you do, dont just tough it out. The inflammation thats causing your pain can spread to surrounding tissue, which can make healing take even longer.
What are some common causes of knee pain that wont go away?
Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by degeneration of cartilage in the knee. It can become so severe that the cartilage will be completely eroded, with bone rubbing on bone. The good news is that osteoarthritis is usually treatable without surgery. An orthopedic physician can definitely help you with this condition.
Ligament Injury. Ligaments hold your leg bones together and keep your knee steady when you move it. Ligament injuries are especially common in athletes and can cause severe pain. Such injuries may require surgery to repair.
Some knee pain requires immediate action.
- Unbearable pain
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What Doctor Should I See For Knee Pain
Do you have swelling and stiffness in your knees? Is the knee pain accompanied by a general sensation of weakness or instability? Can you hear some popping sounds in your knees when you walk? These are all signs and symptoms of knee pain and its an indication that you should probably see a knee pain doctor soon.
Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal issues that affects all kinds of people in the world. You experience when some part of your knee joint, be it your muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bones, get fractured, injured, or develop other diseases. Knee pain may be acute if its caused by knee injuries. However, in some cases, knee pain can also be chronic, which means that it will only get worse with time.
If you experience extreme knee pain or fever, its possible youre suffering from chronic knee pain caused by issues like osteoarthritis, ptllfmrl n syndrome, tllr tndn, knee bursitis, iliotibial band syndrome, or chondromalacia patella. If youre suffering from any of these issues, its vital that you visit a good knee pain doctor.
Furthermore, its important to visit the right knee pain doctor. Some doctors will simply prescribe opioids that will provide temporary relief but wont actually cure the problem. Some doctors will jump straight to surgeries, which can be dangerous. Its necessary to find a good knee pain doctor who can diagnose the root cause of knee pain and treat it specifically.