What Kind Of Doctor Helps With Knee Pain

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.

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.

What Is Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis literally means “inflammation of the knee joint,” most often as a result of cartilage in the joint wearing down to a degree where it no longer cushions the surfaces of bone which make up the joint. Damaged cartilage causes a roughened joint surface and may lead to bones rubbing directly together. This causes persistent pain, clicking, a catching sensation, and limited range of motion.

There are two common types of arthritis:

• or degenerative joint disease is the most common type of arthritis. This is a slow, progressive disease in which cartilage wears down over time. The normally smooth surface of the joint becomes roughened and may cause increased pain, stiffness, and limited motion. Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of early onset osteoarthritis that results from an injury to the ligaments, cartilage and/or bone in or around a joint, which causes instability that increases the wearing down of cartilage surfaces.
• , such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, is a systemic process that may involve multiple joints at the same time. may affect people at any age and often is treated with very specific medications. The symptoms vary somewhat as pain usually worsens after periods of rest and inactivity as joints stiffen. Some may experience pain, swelling, redness and warmth, especially in the morning.

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Gentle Stretching At Home

Your doctor may prescribe light stretching exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home to help with neck and shoulder pain. Always ask your doctor to demonstrate them for you so you follow proper technique.

Our lists of the 35 best neck pain exercises and more than 60 exercises for shoulder pain can get you started on guided movement to relieve neck and shoulder discomfort. However, always talk to your doctor before adding new stretches to your routine, as some could worsen your pain.

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.

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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.

Glucosamine And Chondroitin For Knee Pain

Glucosamine and chondroitin are produced naturally in the body as building blocks needed to make cartilage, tendons, ligaments and synovial fluid. Their production declines with age, and it is often in short supply, especially when active joint repair is needed.

Glucosamine and chondroitin regulate the levels of at least 31 different proteins in cartilage cells which are involved in cartilage health, antioxidant stress responses, and the synthesis of new proteins such as collagen. Glucosamine and chondroitin act as biological signals to switch on the repair of damaged joint tissues, and suppress the inflammation and breakdown of cartilage that is a feature of osteoarthritis.

As you get older, your cartilage cells secrete less and less glucosamine and chondroitin. As a result, cartilage becomes more brittle and prone to the degenerative changes seen in ageing joints.

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Should You See A Neurologist For Back And Neck Pain

People often think of a chiropractic doctor for chronic pain, but neurologists also diagnose and treat back pain and neck pain. Neurologists specialize in conditions and diseases that affect the brain, the spinal cord, and the nervous system this often includes chronic pain in the back and neck.

Talk to your primary care provider if you experience chronic back pain or neck pain. Your doctor can help you determine if you should see a specialist, such as a neurologist, for your symptoms. Some health insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician. Contact Fayetteville Diagnostic Clinic to schedule an appointment with our board-certified neurologists in Northwest Arkansas.

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Foods To Increase Lubrication In The Knees

To help increase lubrication in the knees through nutrition, there are several foods to consider adding as a part of your healthy and well-balanced diet.

Some of these foods include salmon, trout, olive oil, nuts, avocados are all high in omega-3s. When you combine these foods with glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin, they can all work together to help increase lubrication while also decreasing inflammation. All of this will work wonders when it comes to pain relief as well.

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For Pain Caused By Nerve Damage See A Neurosurgeon

If youre bothered by chronic pain in your arms or legs, youve probably thought a lot about how to get rid of that pain. You might have wondered what caused it. But you may not have considered that the cause of your pain may offer clues about the best way to relieve your pain.

For example, if your pain is caused by a tight or pulled muscle, or osteoarthritis, your primary care physician or an orthopedic specialist, such as an orthopedic spine surgeon, may well be able to treat and resolve your pain.

However, if your pain is caused by a pinched or damaged nerve, your best bet for relief may be a neurosurgeon. At Neurosurgery One, we are experienced not only at diagnosing the source of your pain, but treating and relieving pain caused by damage to the nerves.

Nerve pain

Like bundles of electric wires, nerves transmit signals, including pain signals, to the brain. Irritation, such as with a pinched nerve, can disrupt the way those signals are transmitted, and the result can be ongoing and even intense pain.

Pinched nerves can be caused by:

• Repetitive motion
• Inflammation or pressure on a nerve root
• Pinched nerves can cause pain in the neck or lower back, and pain that radiates from the neck into the shoulder and arm.

Nerve pain has several characteristics that differentiate it from other types of pain. Those include:

• Burning
• Radiation down arms and hands or legs and feet

Differences between neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons

Neurosurgeons

• Total joint replacement

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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If You Have An Obvious Meniscus Or Acl Tear

ACL or Meniscus Tear?

See a doctor

ACL Tears and Meniscus Tears are two of the major injuries that we see in athletes. If you think you’ve suffered an ACL or Meniscus tear, you should pay a visit t a specialist.

So how will you know if you’ve suffered one of these injuries? Here are some short videos to help you:

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…

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.

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Krill Oil Supplements For Knee Pain

Krill are a tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans found in all the oceans of the world. They feed on microalgae from which they obtain omega-3 fatty acids and two antioxidant pigments, astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. These pigments are produced by algae to protect them from ultraviolet light and, when these algae and shrimps are eaten by wild flamingos, give them their attractive pink plumage. Without them flamingos would be grey. These carotenoid pigments, which also cause shrimps, prawns and lobsters to turn red when cooked, are the reason why krill oil has such a vibrant, crimson colour.

Do Orthopedic Doctors Treat Nerve Pain

Orthopedic doctors can help reduce pain

This includes muscles, nerves, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and other connective tissue. There are many musculoskeletal conditions and injuries that can cause pain, and often, orthopedic specialists can help reduce or eliminate pain.

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Reverse Injection: Fluid Aspiration

Fluid aspiration from a joint, called arthrocentesis, is the process of inserting a needle into a joint to remove excess fluid. The knee is the most frequently aspirated joint.

Joint inflammation and swelling that occur due to osteoarthritis can produce excess synovial fluid within the knee, restricting movement and causing increased pain. Removing the fluid by aspirating the joint with a needle can help reduce pain and improve swelling.

• Your healthcare provider may use a local numbing agent, such as lidocaine, either topically around the knee or by injecting it within the knee joint.
• A needle is inserted into the knee joint at either side of the patella, and a syringe is used to pull fluid out of the knee.
• Fluid aspiration may be performed by itself or prior to receiving another type of injection, and generally takes 30 minutes or less to complete.
• The numbing agent will typically wear off after two to four hours. It is common to have some pain or soreness for one to two days after the procedure.

Pain relief from fluid aspiration can last for six months or more.

While arthrocentesis is often performed for diagnosis and prior to joint injection, it is not typically used on its own for therapeutic purposes, as it does not fix the underlying issue that caused the joint effusion .

Boswellia Supplements For Knee Pain

Boswellia is a resin obtained from a large tree, Boswellia serrata, that is native to India, North Africa and the Middle East. The resin is obtained by peeling away strips of bark and then harvesting the gum that oozes out and hardens to protect the tree. Boswellia resin is highly fragrant and is also known as frankincense and olibanum.

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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.

Injections To Relieve Knee Pain

• Reverse Injection: Fluid Aspiration

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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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.