What Does An Orthopedist Do
Orthopedists handle the disorders, injuries, prevention, treatment, and repair of the skeletal system and its related joints, ligaments, and muscles.
Orthopedists and orthopedic surgeons are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint disease. They use an array of testing modalities to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
Knee Pain Doctors Prevent Catastrophic Outcomes
Some knee pain stems from life-threatening or mobility-threatening conditions. From infections, to diseases, to dislocations, knee pain can signal serious issues that require emergency treatment. Trust your gut, and listen to your knees, as well. If your pain is severe, or immobilizing, or accompanied by fever, swelling, weakness, or paralysis, dont delay treatment for knee pain.
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.
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What Kind Of Doctor Should I See For Knee Pain
Knee pain can arise from many injuries and conditions. The type of specialist you consult see may depend on several factors most especially, whether or not you have had an acute injury, such as by twisting your knee during sports activity or experiencing an impact during a fall or other accident.
HSS offers a multidisciplinary approach to knee care. Our orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine doctors provide acute injury treatments that may be surgical or nonsurgical. For pain that arises when there has been no obvious injury, you may benefit from treatment by a physiatrist, rheumatologist or physical therapist.
Swelling That’s Worsening After 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. Often swelling peaks around 24 to 48 hours after an injury. If swelling is still getting worse after 48 hours, you should seek medical attention.
Swelling within a joint can also 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.
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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.
Should I See An Orthopedic Doctor For Knee Pain
Choosing the whether to see an orthopedic doctor for your knee pain should depend on the severity. I you have been in an accident or took a blow to the knee and you cannot put weight on it, the emergency department is the usually the first stop. The ER doctor will likely take X-rays and consult an orthopedic surgeon if needed. If the knee injury is not an immediate emergency, you may make an appointment to see a knee doctor at their office.
If you have knee pain that is not from trauma, your primary care doctor may be able to manage the knee pain.
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What Is The Best Way To Treat Knee Pain
If your pain is tolerable, there are numerous ways to try to improve it. First and foremost, time can improve your pain on its own. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation is the best first approach for knee pain caused by a minor injury or an arthritis flare. Give your knee some rest, apply ice to reduce swelling, wear a compressive bandage, and keep your knee elevated. Anti-inflammatories can also help alleviate pain at first. If youre not sure which motions are safe or how much you can do, talk with your doctor.
Questions Your Doctor May Ask
Your doctor will want to know as much as possible about whatâs going on with your knee. Be ready to answer questions such as:
Your answers will give your doctor clues about the cause of your pain. For instance, a popping or snapping sound may mean that you tore a ligament. If your pain is worse when you rest and your knee is stiff when you wake up, you could have a type of arthritis.
Your doctor will also ask about:
- Problems with any other joints
- Any knee injuries or surgeries youâve had
- Other health issues that might be causing the pain
A hip problem, for example, can cause you to walk awkwardly, which throws off alignment of your knees, causing pain. Also, pain from your hip can make your knee hurt.
Let your doctor know what youâve already tried to treat your knee pain, such as medicines, braces, and physical therapy.
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New York Workers’ Compensation Options
Your knee has been injured at work, and you are feeling some knee pain. You may be surprised to learn that you are entitled to workers compensation.
Workers compensation benefits are determined by how much you earn at work and the degree of your injury.
New York workers compensation laws can be very complicated and confusing. In the last few years, there have been many changes to the law. Changes that have affected thousands of claimants.
Laws and statutes determine temporary and permanent disability benefits, medical benefits and injury settlements. It is advisable to seek out a workers compensation lawyer specific to New York State to help you with your claim.
There may be additional medical expenses related to your injury that you may not consider at the time. To ensure all of your costs and future costs will be covered, you need to seek out the right workers compensation attorney to ensure your needs are met.
As an injured worker, you are also entitled to medical care and treatment through a workers comp doctor.
When I Move My Knee I Can Hear A Popping Sound Is This Serious Should I See My Doctor
Noises within the knee joint are common. Crackling, clicking, or popping can occur, and it is important to differentiate the cause of its occurrence as they might mean different things. It may be from simple soft tissue catching or more serious damage to the bearing surface of the joint, the articular cartilage. Usually if it does not cause pain or swelling then it might not be as concerning.
One common cause for painless popping in the knee is something called a plica. Plicas are soft tissue connections within the knee that go over a bony lump and pop when they snap back into place. When the popping sounds are accompanied by swelling and pain, or they produce a catching sensation or the knee gives way, then those are times when you should contact a doctor sooner rather than later. Popping in these situations could be due to meniscus injuries, small pieces of broken cartilage or loose bodies within the knee. Painful popping could also be because of osteoarthritis, where the smooth cartilage has worn down and the bones cause friction when they rub against one another. This painful popping would be more persistent. If you felt a pop and your knee swelled while playing a sport it is unquestionably a cause for concern. This might represent torn ligaments anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament or medial collateral ligament or the meniscus or articular cartilage.
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What Is The Recovery Time For A Knee Replacement
The most extensive form of knee treatment is knee replacement surgery or knee arthroplasty. This treatment is usually recommended for those patients whose knees have been deformed due to chronic conditions such as osteoporosis or arthritis.
Knee replacement surgery comes in different forms depending on the extent of the deformity, you may require either partial knee replacement or total knee replacement. During the procedure itself, you will be administered anesthesia, ensuring that you are pain-free. Recovery from a knee replacement surgery can last for roughly six weeks and typically requires physical therapy. Pain medications can also be administered as needed.
If you deal with knee pain or limited motion, it’s important to visit with a surgeon as soon as possible. Learn more about the possibilities of evidence-based knee treatments by contacting a knee doctor today.
For more information on different knee replacement procedures our knee doctors perform, click the buttons below.
Partial Knee Replacement Total Knee Replacement
Injections To Relieve Knee Pain
Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of osteoarthritis in the United States. It is caused by progressive degeneration of the cartilage in the knee joint, which protects bones in this area from rubbing against each other. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, also referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease, treatments can help reduce pain and inflammation.
If oral medications do not help with your knee osteoarthritis pain, your healthcare provider may suggest injecting a medication directly into the knee joint. Knee injections used for arthritic pain include corticosteroid , hyaluronic acid , platelet-rich plasma, placental tissue matrix, Botox, and reverse injection .
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Visit Our Knee Pain Doctors Today For The Optimal Outcome
Your knees are not something to gamble on theyre essential to productivity. If youre apprehensive about seeing a knee pain doctor in NYC, call our office to learn more. Our doctors are world-renowned for gentle, minimally invasive, interventional pain management that works right away. Check out our doctors profiles, or schedule an appointment for a consultation to ease your concerns. Our physicians have several convenient locations, including our NY knee pain doctors near the Empire State Building. To ensure your knees carry you ably throughout your life, tend to them sooner than later.
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.
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If You Have Swelling That Lasts More Than 48 Hours See A Doctor
48 Hours of Knee Swelling?
See a doctor
When you have suffered an acute injury to the knee, the result will be increased, noticeable swelling about the injury itself.
Soft tissue will swell when there is damage, resulting in pain, loss of motion, and severe limitations in mobility.
Note: sometimes swelling can be observed visually. On other occasions, you can’t see it with the naked eye. Pain, stiffness, or clicking as injured tendons snap over one another are all indications that something is wrong.
Knee Pain May Require The Opposite Of What You Think
Some people think if their knee hurts, they should work through the pain, to see if it loosens up. Others feel that knee pain signals you to stay off your knee. Which one is correct? It depends on whats causing your pain. Knee pain from things like Osteoarthritis often improve with tolerable activity, since it keeps the joint looser and stronger. Whereas, activity for a knee compromised by fracture, torn ligaments, infection, or dislocation, could be quite detrimental. Dont guess the best course of action for your knee pain. Consult our certified knee pain doctors in NYC.
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Unlike Google Knee Pain Doctors Put You At Ease
Sometimes patients assume the role of the doctor, guessing whats wrong with their bodies. They might Google their symptoms or compare them against a friends knee injury. While you know your body best, even the most educated patient cant tell whats going on in the complex mechanics of the knee. Ligaments, bones, cartilage, fluid, muscles, tendons, joints many components must work together for optimal knee function. While knee pain is easy to describe, its not so easy to diagnose. Knee pain doctors have a depth of knowledge and experience, combined with diagnostic tools to pinpoint the cause of your pain. Before you worry that you need knee replacement or chemotherapy, check with our Harvard-trained doctors.
Q& a My Knee Hurts When Should I See A Doctor
Posted on: by Our Team
The knee is a hinge joint made of the thigh bone, the shin bone, and the knee cap. The bones are covered with cartilage to absorb shock and protect the knee. The knee joint is held together with ligaments, the Anterior Cruciate Ligament , the Posterior Cruciate Ligament , and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. Additionally, the knee bones are held together by muscles and tendons. The two groups of muscles that allow a wide range of knee movement are the quadriceps and the hamstrings that are attached to the bone by tendons. If any one or more of these structures are damaged, knee pain can result. Knee pain can be caused by normal daily wear and tear, repetitive use, aging and injury.
Dr. Jorge Chahla is a renowned orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert in Chicago whose focus is on complex injuries of the knee, hip and shoulder. Below, he answers your questions about knee pain and when to see a doctor.
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Ive Had Minor Knee Pain For Some Time But It Is Beginning To Interfere With My Sleep Should I See An Orthopedic Surgeon
If pain is not resolving after a couple of weeks of avoiding activities that elicit you pain, then you should have your knee checked out by a professional. Sometimes, small changes to the way you walk, jump, or exercise can improve the pain significantly. Additionally, if inflammation persists, injections or specific anti-inflammatories can help ease the pain.
Common Injuries That Physical Therapists Treat:
Recovering from almost any knee injury
Most knee injuries will improve faster with a PT. A physio can help you recover from a meniscus tear, a ligament tear, a sprain, tendinitis You name it!
The recovery process focuses on reducing pain and strengthening your muscles. This is how PTs make sure you get back on track as soon and as safely as possible.
Recovering from knee surgery
Physical therapy is key before and after knee surgery.
First, a therapist will prepare your lower leg for the surgery. The goal is to have as much strength as you can before going into the OR. This will help you recover faster.
Afterward, the physio will treat your painful knee and help you regain your range of motion.
Chronic knee pain
Chronic pain in the knee can be a consequence of osteoarthritis. Repetitive knee injuries, like bursitis or sprains, can also cause this.
And, according to studies, physical therapy is the most effective treatment for chronic knee pain.
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