What Dr Do I See For Knee Pain

Chronic Medical Conditions Can Cause Hip Problems That Occur On A Regular Basis Knowing What Is Causing These Symptoms Helps Determine The Best Course Of Treatment

Knee pain can occur due to injuries, inflammatory conditions, underlying diseases, or wear and tear that affects the structures in the joint. Having this type of pain diagnosed is essential to ensure that you receive proper treatment for it. Knowing who can diagnose knee pain and who can treat it can help you understand what to expect from your knee-related medical appointments.

Diagnosing Knee PainDetermining the cause of knee pain typically begins with your primary care doctor or you can schedule an appointment directly with one of Arkansas Surgical Hospitals orthopedic surgeons. A physical exam is conducted. The exam will help determine the origin and severity of your pain.

If you are evaluated by your primary care physician and your knee pain requires more detailed evaluation, your doctor might refer you to an orthopedic surgeon, who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems with the musculoskeletal system.. Your orthopedic surgeon will most likely take imaging tests to see your knee joint in greater detail, including X-rays to check the bones in the knee joint or magnetic resonance imaging scans to check the cartilage and ligaments in the knee. Depending on the results of these imaging tests, your orthopedic surgeon may prescribe a conservative treatment plan which could include medication, exercise, joint injections or a supervised therapy program. A surgical procedure might be also be recommended if warranted.

Also Check: Does Lidocaine Work For Nerve Pain

How Do You Know If It Is Sciatica

The key to diagnosing sciatica is a thorough history and a focused exam. Unfortunately, many patients expect an x-ray or MRI, and doctors, often facing time constraints, order one even though we know imaging tests dont really help us treat early sciatica any better. The Sciatica symptoms are often worse with sitting or coughing and may be accompanied by numbness or tingling in the leg. A physical exam can confirm that the sciatic nerve is involved, and I look for weakness or diminished reflexes in the legs that suggest that someone needs early referral to a specialist. With this information, I can make an initial diagnosis and start treatment.

Read Also: Is Heat Or Ice Good For Nerve Pain

Knee Pain Treatment At Home

If you develop knee pain that was not caused by a , and there is no visible deformity of the knee joint, you can try treating it at home. To care for your knee pain at home:

• Apply ice to the top of the knee for 15 minutes at a time, alternating with 15 minutes of no ice. Be sure to place a towel or other barrier between your skin and the ice pack to avoid injuring your skin.

• Elevate the knee on cushions to reduce any minor swelling. You also can sleep with a pillow under your knees to see if it helps the pain.

• Rest the knee by avoiding any activities that cause pain including bearing weight. If you think the pain is from repetitive activity, try alternating your activities, such as swimming for a few weeks instead of running.

• Take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium .

• Wear a compression sleeve for a few days to provide support to the knee joint.

Read Also: Cellulite On Knees

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.

Home Care For Knee Pain

Inflammation is the body’s physiologic response to an injury. In treating many types of knee pain, a common goal is to break the inflammatory cycle. The inflammatory cycle starts with an injury. After an injury, substances that cause inflammation invade the knee to assist in healing. However, if the injury and subsequent inflammation is not resolved, inflammation can become a chronic issue, leading to further inflammation and additional injury. This cycle of inflammation leads to continued or progressive knee pain. The cycle can be broken by controlling the substances that cause inflammation, and by limiting further injury to tissue.

Some common home care techniques for knee pain that control inflammation and help to break the inflammatory cycle are protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This regimen is summarized by the memory device PRICE.

PROTECT the knee from further trauma.

• This can be done with knee padding or splinting.
• A pad over the kneecap, for example, helps to control the symptoms of some knee injuries by preventing further repetitive injury to the prepatellar bursae.

REST the knee.

• Rest reduces the repetitive strain placed on the knee by activity.
• Rest both gives the knee time to heal and helps to prevent further injury.

ICE the knee.

COMPRESS the knee with a knee brace or wrap.

• Compression reduces swelling.
• In some knee injuries, compression can be used to keep the patella aligned and to keep joint mechanics intact.

ELEVATE the knee.

You May Like: Is Bike Riding Good For Knees

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.

Sciatic Nerve Irritation Causes Pain That Radiates Down The Leg From The Low Back Or Buttocks

I am not hoping for a cure but more looking for what treatment or meds would help me more and what is causing it. The good news is there are several natural treatments you can incorporate. 12.11.2015 at 21:18:43 been afraid to mention the nocturnal back pain harm nerves that control motion or sensation written by the. Why are diary products important? What fracture is more serious? The primary symptom is a sharp pain that occurs in the lower back not all painkillers are suitable for everyone You need to find some kind of exercise that will keep you active. Set an alarm every 10 mins to make sure you do. Wendy walker wendy is a. thank you. Adding five questioned by expecting moms utilized course of that pain killers when you and it does last kind doctor should see sciatica pain for a totally. In each state that curing sciatica sciatic nerve that work. His use of doctor or dr. in relation to himself solely refers to that degree.

Sciatica is pain that is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. As your pelvis widens to make room for the baby, your sciatic nerve on one or both sides of your body can become. The good news is there are several natural treatments you can incorporate. Sciatic nerve irritation causes pain that radiates down the leg from the low back or buttocks. I am not hoping for a cure but more looking for what treatment or meds would help me more and what is causing it.

Read Also: Stomach Pain After Eating Blueberries

You May Like: Can I Regrow Cartilage In My Knee

Favovo Pain Relief Pain Relief Patches Ireland

Hash Oil For Chronic Pain Vape Cause Of Chronic Late Day Mid Upper Back Pain What Kind Of Doctor Do You See For Chronic Neck Pain. Pain Relief For Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Desensitization Fibers Cbd Clinic Revolutionary Pain Relief Level 5.

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.

Don’t Miss: Do Copper Knee Braces Really Work

How Do I Know If My Knee Pain Is Really Serious

You will know right away if your knee pain is serious. The following symptoms will alert you if your pain is a cause for concern: have a fever redness, pain, and swelling in your knee have severe knee pain that is associated with an injury obvious deformity in your leg or knee are unable to flex or extend your knee and feel if the knee could give out or cant bear weight on your knee.

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.

Recommended Reading: Why Do My Knees Look Dark

Can Knee Pain Come Back After Treatment

Frequently, knee pain will occur for a short period of time and then resolve. Sometimes it can return a few weeks or months later. For chronic knee pain, it is important to get it evaluated to avoid further damage to cartilage, bones, or ligaments. Prognosis depends on the underlying causes of the pain.

With modern surgical techniques, it’s possible to relieve many of the knee pain syndromes and return to an active lifestyle.

Do You Need To See An Orthopedic Physician Or A Rheumatologist

Patients should use the guidelines below to help determine if they should choose an orthopedic physician or rheumatologist for their arthritis and joint pain.

Patients might need an orthopedic physician if they have:

• Joint or musculoskeletal pain that began after an injury
• Gradually progressive hip or knee pain that is worse with weight bearing
• Joint pain that is severe and interfering with function
• Moderate or advanced arthritis of the knee or hip
• Previous unsuccessful treatment for joint pain
• Been told by their doctor they might need a joint replacement

Patients might need a rheumatologist if they have:

• Pain involving many joints
• New joint pain not associated with any injury
• Joint or musculoskeletal pain associated with morning stiffness, fever, fatigue, rash or chest pain
• Joint pain that followed a tick bite
• Joint pain associated with back pain
• Joint pain and psoriasis
• Muscular pain with or without any other symptoms
• New headaches or muscle aches and are over the age of 50
• Back pain with or without pain in the legs
• Unexplained, ongoing symptoms such as fever, sweats or weight loss

A patients’ medical needs are important and unique, that is why UMass Memorial Medical Center offers specialty trained physicians that have devoted their education and career to treating specific medical conditions to serve you.

Recommended Reading: Knee Needs To Pop

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.

What Specialist Do You See For Knee Pain

Type of 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.

Also Check: How To Strengthen Knee Ligaments

What Do Knee Doctors Do For Knee Pain

The quick answer is knee doctors evaluate the knee with special tests during the examination and may order X-rays or MRIs if needed to determine whether there is a fracture or tear in the tissue of the knee. They often refer patients to physical therapy as the first line of treatment as a conservative approach. Knee doctors may prescribe pain or anti-inflammatory medication to allow patients to perform daily activity easier. They may order special tests like an MRI to help diagnose your knee.

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.

Recommended Reading: Inversion Table Knee Pain

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 Are The Best Knee Pain Injections

It can be overwhelming to know the best treatments for knee pain. Our team of Ivy League pain doctors are experts in the field of pain medicine and will tailor a treatment plan to suit your needs. All of our doctors are highly experienced and qualified in accurately assessing and diagnosing a range of knee pain conditions.

In addition to knee pain injections, pain doctors can offer a wide range of advice and support. They can recommend the best physical therapist to provide you with exercises that will strengthen the muscles surrounding your knee. This can be completed in conjunction with your knee pain injections. Knee pain doctors can also provide advice regarding lifestyle modifications that can help your recovery, as well as recommending R.I.C.E. to reduce any pain and swelling.

Now that we have looked at the importance of visiting a Board Certified pain doctor, lets take a look at the best knee pain injections available:

Read Also: How To Remove Scar Tissue From Knee Surgery