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.
Role Of The Primary Care Doctor
Your primary care doctor will able to make an initial assessment following a physical examination. They can order X-rays, blood tests, or any other diagnostic tests needed to support his initial assessment. Your primary care doctor can also prescribe medications to relieve pain and other arthritis symptoms.
After test results come back and enough time has passed to evaluate how you are doing on the prescribed medications, your doctor may decide that they can handle your case. If not, they may decide to refer you to a specialist in arthritis diseases known as a rheumatologist.
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.
Also Check: Where Does Knee Pain Come From
Common Causes Of Leg Pain
The most common leg pain causes include muscle or , such as from exercising too vigorously; blunt force, such as from banging into a piece of furniture; and injuries from sports or other physical activity, like twisting an ankle or a .
Potentially more serious causes include:
-
Muscle cramps due to or certain types of medications
-
Torn or overstretched muscles or tendons
-
Fractures in a leg bone, ankle, knee or hip including
-
Sprains
-
Shin splints
-
Infection
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.
Read Also: How To Prevent Knee Injuries
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.
/ Our Sports Medicine Center And Joint Replacement Center Can Help You
At North Texas Orthopedics & Spine Center, our Sports Medicine Center and Joint Replacement Center were designed to provide our patients with comprehensive sports medicine and joint replacement education as well as exceptional nonsurgical and surgical care for a wide range of orthopedic injuries and conditions, including those relating to the knee.
When you are seen by one of our specialty-trained knee experts at either our Sports Medicine Center or Joint Replacement Center, you can rest assured that you are receiving the highest level of specialized knee care. Our knee experts offer the latest evidence-based treatments as well as advanced surgical techniques to provide patients with expert orthopedic care for the knee.
If surgery is recommended for you, our knee surgeons are some of the most highly skilled surgeons and offer a broad range of knee surgeries. This includes the following surgeries and procedures:
- ACL reconstruction
- Total knee replacement
Read Also: Can I Regrow Cartilage In My Knee
Will Surgery Treat And Cure Knee Pain
Surgery
Knee operations range from arthroscopic knee surgery to total knee replacement. Arthroscopic knee surgery is a very common surgical procedure that allows the physician look inside your knee through a few small holes and a fiberoptic camera. The surgeon can repair many of the injuries and remove small pieces of loose bones or cartilage. This is a common outpatient procedure.
Partial knee replacement: The surgeon replaces the damaged portions of the knee with plastic and metal parts. Because only part of the knee joint is replaced, this procedure has a shorter recovery then a total knee replacement.
Total knee replacement: In this procedure, the knee is replaced with an artificial joint.
Other therapies
Acupuncture has shown some relieve of knee pain, especially in patients with osteoarthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have shown mixed results in research studies.
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
Read Also: Why Do I Get Knee Pain
What Is Knee Pain
Pain is a common knee problem that can originate in any of the bony structures compromising the knee joint , the kneecap , or the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage of the knee. Knee pain can be aggravated by physical activity, as well as obesity, affected by the surrounding muscles and their movements, and be triggered by other problems . Knee pain can affect people of all ages, and home remedies can be helpful unless it becomes severe.
Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries
The lateral collateral ligament is one of four major ligaments that helps stabilize the knee joint. It is found on the outer side of your knee and is a short band of tough fibrous connective tissue.
LCL sprains are the most common form of LCL injury, but lateral collateral ligament injuries only account for 2% of all knee ligament injuries. Most LCL injuries occur in combination with damage to other knee ligaments and structures.
The main function of your lateral collateral ligament is to resist sideways force and rotation. LCLs are injured when the force is too great for the ligament to resist and the ligament is overstretched. This can happen through a sharp change in direction, incorrect landing technique, twisting the knee while the foot is fixed, hyperextension of the knee or a blunt force hit to the knee, such as in football tackle or a motor vehicle accident.
Read Also: How To Cure Tendonitis In Knee
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.
What Does A Rheumatologist Do
Rheumatology studies the causes, impact, and treatments of inflammatory autoimmune disorders on the human body. In an autoimmune disorder, a patients own immune system malfunctions and turns its attack on his own healthy body tissue, rather than on invading or external disease agents.
Rheumatologists can be internists or pediatricians who have additional training and qualifications. ;They have the experience to diagnose and treat many of the over 100 systemic forms of adult, juvenile, and temporal arthritis. ;They treat mechanical joint, bone, muscle, and soft and connective tissue diseases.
Often referred to as arthritis doctors, rheumatologists treat many other diseases too.
You May Like: Where Is The Meniscus In The Knee
Orthopaedic Surgeons Keep Our Nation In Motion
High-quality orthopaedic care is invaluable. It helps people reclaim their quality of life.
The value of orthopaedic care is when people like YOU can get back to work, to family, and to doing the things you love.
For more information about AAOS and orthopaedic information for patients, follow us on , , and !
When It’s Time To See A Knee Doctor
Being aware of certain symptoms is important because if a knee issue can be diagnosed and treated early on, it will help to avoid further knee damage and pain in the future. Sharing this information with your doctor allows them to provide you with the best knee care. If any of the following symptoms sound familiar, you may have damaged your knee joint or the surrounding tissues:
- Knee is unable to support your weight and buckles when you attempt to use it
- Knee locks up
- Knee looks misshapen or deformed
- Knee pain or swelling that gets worse after an injury
- Popping sound at the time of the knee injury
- Range of motion decreases over time
- Tingling or numbness in the lower leg
- Unable to bend or straighten the knee without pain
These symptoms often correspond to a more;serious knee condition, such as:
- Anterior cruciate ligament tears
- Arthritis
Also Check: What Does Cortisone Do For The Knee
What About Medicare And Medicaid
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults over the age of 65, as well as some other younger groups with specific chronic health conditions. People with Medicare often have either:
- Original Medicare .Part B is the outpatient medical insurance portion of original Medicare. It covers nonhospital based medical services that are considered necessary to diagnose or treat a specific condition.
- Medicare Advantage .Part C plans are offered by private insurance companies. Advantage plans are required to cover the same basic benefits as original Medicare but may also offer additional benefits.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides assistance with healthcare costs to those with lower incomes or resources. Eligibility and what exactly is covered varies from state to state.
Some research, both , has indicated that people with Medicare or Medicaid may have trouble accessing timely orthopedic care.
However, there are tools you can use to find doctors that accept these programs:
- For Medicare. Use the Physician Compare tool. This allows you to input a variety of information in order to find doctors in your area that accept Medicare.
- For Medicaid. Contact your states Medicaid office to find out which doctors in your state accept Medicaid.
What Kind Of Doctor Should I See
With exercise-related injuries, you might want to visit someone other than your general practitioner.
The only thing more frustrating than getting hurt is spending time and money to have a doctor tell you to pop a painkiller and stop running. You can avoid this by finding a health-care provider who has experience treating athletes and keeping them on the road.
Here’s a guide to finding a specialist who will really listen and will work with you to help keep you active. Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral, so check before you go. And be sure to bring your shoes and training journal. This will help the doctor pinpoint your problem and solve it.
Related: Stay injury free on the road by getting on the mat with Yoga for Runners.
SPORTS-MEDICINE DOCTOR
Physicians with added training in sports medicine are often the best place to start, especially for a new problem. Sports docs can give you a comprehensive evaluation that includes diagnostic tests, from blood counts to bone scans to MRIs. They’ll help you resolve issues like vitamin deficiencies or exercise-induced asthma, and may refer you to a specialist to rehab injuries such as runner’s knee.Best for: Mystery ailments, fatigue, and health issues affecting your runningNot for: Therapy for an already-diagnosed muscle or joint injury
ORTHOPEDIST
PODIATRIST
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
CHIROPRACTOR
Don’t Miss: How To Sit On Toilet After Knee Surgery
How To Find An Orthopedic Doctor
If you need to see an orthopedic doctor, these are a few steps you can take:
- Talk to your primary care doctor. Your primary care doctor may be able to recommend or refer you to an orthopedic surgeon in your area.
- Search online. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has an online search tool that can help you find an orthopedic doctor near you.
- Ask a friend or family member. If someone close to you has had a similar condition, they may be able to recommend an orthopedic surgeon that they had a good experience with.
- Read online reviews or use social media. Online reviews may provide you with some insight into the orthopedic surgeons training, abilities, and success with treating various conditions. Reaching out on neighborhood apps or social media may also help you find a doctor whos a good fit for you.
You can connect with a urologist in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.
While looking for an orthopedic doctor, youll want to know if theyre covered under your insurance. If they arent, you may end up paying out-of-pocket costs that you didnt plan for.
Often, insurance will cover care thats considered medically necessary to diagnose or treat a specific condition.
However, its always a good idea to contact your insurance company to learn more about whats covered before visiting an orthopedic doctor.
What To Expect With Our Knee Specialists
After a thorough assessment to understand the cause of your knee pain, which may include electrodiagnostic medicine or on-site imaging , our doctors will work with you to determine a course of treatment. Our experts always consider nonsurgical treatment before recommending surgery, such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy with one of our certified physical therapists, in-office orthobiologics, and weight management through the customized LeanMD health program.
When surgery is necessary, our surgeons utilize the state-of-the-art Summit Surgical facility and perform advanced procedures, like knee arthroscopy and knee replacement surgeries, including partial knee replacement or total knee replacement. Additionally, as part of our Hip & Knee Center, our hip and knee surgeons work together to offer you comprehensive care to help you live with reduced knee pain and restored function.
To seek specialized care from one of our knee;surgeons at our Herndon Campus, use our MyChoice resource and;find the specialist for you or call 256-5200.
Recommended Reading: How Do I Get Rid Of Dark Elbows And Knees
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