Your Knee Pain Affects Your Daily Activities
Most doctors will recommend a visit as soon as your symptoms start impacting your day-to-day life.
Whether from minor injuries like a knee sprain or other conditions, if your knee pain makes getting out of bed harder, keeps you from playing with your kids, or your job more difficult, you should have it checked out by a professional.
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
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.
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What Treatments Will An Orthopedic Near Me Recommend
There are many different types of treatments for knee pain depending on the condition that is causing it. Superficial and minor knee problems can usually be treated with home remedies and self-treatment. For these cases, our knee pain specialists recommend resting the joint, elevating the leg, applying ice, and using a compression bandage.
Physical therapy is a very effective treatment that focuses on doing certain physical exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee. This will make your knee more stable, will alleviate the pain, and will help you avoid future injuries.
Medication can also be prescribed to relieve some of the pain related to knee injuries. However, you should avoid taking over-the-counter pain medication without seeing a doctor.
Injections with corticosteroids and lubricants are another common treatment for knee pain. These substances are injected directly into your knee to reduce inflammation and treat arthritis and other conditions. Injections will also alleviate the pain and will help you move your knee with less discomfort.
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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Who To See For Knee Pain
Trauma-related knee pain will be evaluated at first by an emergency room provider, who may then call on an orthopedic surgeon for diagnosis and treatment. If you have chronic knee pain that needs attention, you can start by visiting your primary care provider. Your doctor might refer you to an orthopedic or for further testing, diagnosis and treatment. You also can schedule an appointment directly with an orthopedist, but remember that some insurance companies require you to obtain a referral before seeing a specialist.
Depending on the cause of your knee pain, you may also work with physical therapists, hydrotherapists, or other health professionals to get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
Knee can be a nuisance that causes you to miss work or cut back on fitness activities. By seeking prompt medical attention for knee pain that persists longer than a week or two, you may be able to treat the condition with conservative measures that relieve the pain and get you back in action quickly.
When To Approach A Knee Specialist
In normal circumstances, a lot also depends on the nature of your problem. Knee pain could be a result of many things. Its severity could vary as well. In some cases, the pain could be very mild, which might not necessarily require a doctors intervention. Just resting for a day could help heal that pain. You can even opt for over-the-counter pain medications to control the pain. For this, you can approach either a pharmacist to get the medicine OR your GP to have the right pain medication prescribed. But this is recommended or acceptable only when the pain is mild and isnt serious. In contrast, if you have gotten in an accident or you fell that may have caused a severe sprain, its important to find the best bone doctor in Kolkata for proper diagnosis and treatment. Failing to do this can worsen your situation worsening your knee pain. You should immediately visit an orthopedic doctor who specializes in knee pain, do the needed tests, and start the treatment plan.
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What Kind Of Doctor Should You See For Knee Pain
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…
Look for an orthopaedic specialist in your area to give you an accurate diagnosis. The knee is a very intricate, very important part of the body. As such, there are many talented and experienced doctors who specialize solely in the field of knee surgery.
If you are an athlete, I also recommend visiting an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Specialist who has experience with the specific needs of athletes and what it takes to successfully get them back on the field performing at a high level.
Have Knee Pain Symptoms Know When Its Time To Seek Medical Attention
Your knees are the largest, most active joints in your body and the hinge point of your legs.
Its easy to think most knee pain comes on as a result of injury during strenuous activities. But everyday activities in work and school can cause it, too.
And for many people, chronic knee pain sets in as they age.
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When Should I Seek Medical Advice
You should seek further medical assistance if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain in or around the knee, especially during walking. Or especially if you are unable to walk at all.
- Severe swelling in the knee. Acute knee injuries often swell up quickly and feel hotter than normal.
- If you heard an audible pop or crack in your knee joint that is painful.
- If your knee gives way or you are not confident and feel it might give way when walking, especially going up/downstairs.
- If your knee locks whilst bending or straightening it.
- Any altered sensation in your knee, or lower leg. For example a feeling of pins and needles or a loss of feeling/numbness .
- If you are unable to complete your normal daily activities 72 hours after injury.
When To See A Rheumatologist
Visit a rheumatologist if you have knee pain and:
- If it started out of nowhere .
- You have other symptoms associated with the pain. Like a fever, skin changes, digestive issues, or fatigue.
- Flare-ups or it gets better or worse with no clear reason.
- Youre taking medication for other underlying diseases. Like cardiovascular problems, for example.
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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.
Should I Go To The Emergency Room Forknee Pain In Many Cases Yes
If youve hurt your knee, dont spend too much time wondering, Should I go to the emergency room for knee pain? In many cases, the emergency room is the best place to diagnose and treat a knee injury effectively.
Community First ER is open 24 hours and seven days a week. Dont let a knee injury get worse before you decide to seek treatment! Contact us with questions or to let us know youre on the way!
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When Should I See A Doctor For Knee Pain
You can experience knee pain in many ways.
It can come on slowly or as a result of strenuous activity.
Most people can manage most knee pain at home.
Knee pain from an acute injury can usually be safely observed for a day or two to see if self-care measures will be helpful.
Some of us deal with minor aches and pains in our knees often, especially those who live an active lifestyle or work on their feet.
Long-term knee pain from conditions like arthritis can be treated with weight loss and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint.
More often than not, people delay seeing a doctor for knee pain because they think that their condition will improve over time.
Sometimes it will, but occasionally joint pain doesnt get better and even gets worse, meaning its time for knee pain treatment.
In the article below, we will discuss how to know if you should see a doctor for your knee pain.
- Visit Your Doctor If Theres Any Doubt
- Find Knee Pain Treatment Near You
Knee Pain Treatment In Houston And Dallas
You dont need to rush to the ER for non-severe knee pain symptoms, but you should schedule a doctors appointment. Texas Pain Physicians team of board-certified pain specialists are experts at diagnosing, treating, and managing knee pain.
Put your best foot forward by booking an appointment online or calling us today at 636-5727.
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How Did Your Knee Pain Emergency Happen
Knee injuries are common with athletes playingsports or running long distances. Many work-related injuries happen to knees asa result of lifting heavy objects or repetitive motion. Simply missing a coupleof steps or tripping and falling can cause a knee injury as well.
If you took a hard fall or landed wrong whileplaying soccer or football, an ER visit can quickly diagnose the injury andhelp you get back on the field. A trip-and-fall injury at home could be assimple as putting your feet up and sitting with an ice pack for a while.
With an on-the-job injury, its best to seek immediatemedical attention at the ER.
Types Of Knee Pain Doctors
Knee pain doctors can come from various different fields of medicine such as anesthesiologists, physiatrists, neurosurgeons, podiatrists, neurologists, primary care physicians, or orthopedic surgeons.
However, broadly speaking, if you are wondering what kind of doctor for knee pain exists, there are three knee pain specialists palliative care specialists, interventional pain and spine specialists, and chronic pain specialists.
As you can see, there are a lot of options when it comes to what doctor to see for knee pain. But you should look for interventional pain specialists because theyre the only ones who can truly diagnose the root cause of your knee pain and provide long-term relief. An interventional pain specialist will use imaging tests like X-Rays, CT scans, and MRIs to determine the root cause of knee pain.
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Diet Plus Exercise May Aid Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Pain Symptoms: Pressing on the Knee Doesnt Hurt
Sometimes, knee pain can be caused by problems elsewhere in the body. Sciatica a condition in which a disc in the lower back presses on a nerve can cause pain down the leg through the knee, for example. Hip problems can also cause pain in the knee area, Gotlin says. If youre unable to increase your pain level by pressing or touching your knee, your knee might not be injured at all and you should consult your doctor to figure out whats going on. If you cant make it hurt, its possible that the injury may have come from somewhere else, Gotlin says.
Knee Pain Symptoms: The Pain Lasts for Weeks
Injuries like knee sprains can take a while to begin healing. When they occur, a good method of treatment is to rest the knee, ice and bandage it, and elevate it a treatment method known as RICE . Over-the-counter medications can also be used to help with the discomfort. But if these treatments are used and the pain doesnt lessen or disappear after about three weeks, a doctors visit is probably in order. A sore knee that refuses to get better could point to a torn muscle or torn cartilage, which usually wont get better without professional intervention. Or it may simply be a minor injury that needs a doctors care to improve. Whatever it is, its an injury that the body cant handle by itself, Gotlin says. It needs some outside help.
Where To Seek Advice
Further medical assistance can be sought through either your local doctor or a private clinician such as a physiotherapist, sports therapist, osteopath, or chiropractor.
- In the first instance, if you have followed the P.R.I.C.E principles and are still unable to walk after 72 hours, or still have severe pain that is not subsiding you should visit your local A& E department for further assessment.
- Also, if your knee gives way whilst walking, feels loose, unstable or locks. If this happens you will be unable to move your knee due to pain. If this happens then you should consult your doctor or visit A& E.
- Secondly, if you have applied the P.R.I.C.E principles and still have weakness or knee pain that lasts a long time , or have ongoing discomfort in your knee, you are highly recommended to seek advice from a specialist expert.
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My Knee Hurts When I Bend It Should I See A Doctor
Pain that is worse when the knee is bent has several potential explanations. The most common are patellofemoral pain and meniscus or cartilage problems. When the knee is bent, there is significant more pressure in the kneecap as well as in the meniscus. This is the reason why going up or down stairs, squatting, or sitting for a long period of time can increase the symptoms.
The Pain Lasts For Weeks
Most physicians will recommend that injuries like knee sprains or bruises may be treated at home with the RICE method rest, ice, compression and elevation. Over the counter medications can also be used to help with pain and discomfort. But if you find that this method isnt lessening your pain and symptoms after a few weeks, a doctors visit is probably in order. A sore knee that refuses to get better could indicate a torn muscle, torn cartilage or even a torn meniscus which wont get better without a doctors intervention.
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Which Doctor I Should Go To For Knee Pain
Orthopedician or orthopedic doctors specialize in treating bone and joint-related problems. Ideally, when your knee is paining, you should visit an orthopedic doctor for treatment. However, within this, these doctors specialize in different types of orthopedic problems. While some specialize in back pain, knee pain, and hip replacement, others have extensive experience in fractures, sports injuries, and osteoporosis while some specialize in general orthopedics, others do in elderly orthopedics.
Signs You Should See A Doctor About Your Knee Pain
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You may deal with little aches and pains fairly often, especially if you live an active life or work on your feet. You probably postpone seeing a doctor about this discomfort, deciding that if you wait for a little while the sensation will subside.
Sometimes, this theory holds true, but what about the cases where it doesnt? In this blog, we list 10 warning signs that justify a trip to your doctor or an orthopedic surgeon to talk about knee pain.
1. Deformity of the Joint
Look at your knees next to each other. If your affected knee appears misshapen compared to your healthy knee, you may have a fracture, dislocated knee cap, or patella injury.
2. Difficulty Walking
When your knee pain progresses enough to give you a limp or make you avoid walking, see a doctor. Pain of this intensity can indicate a bone injury or a degenerative condition.
3. Inability to Hold Weight
When you stand up, do you feel the need to shift your weight away from your bad knee? If your affected knee cannot hold your weight, seek help. This symptom can indicate a range of knee conditions, all of which require medical care to address.
4. Knee Instability
If you notice that your knee wobbles or feels like it will collapse, seek medical help. Generally, joint instability indicates a ligament problem, which may become worse if you continue using your knee as usual.
5. Less Sensation in the Knee
6. Long-Term Pain or Discomfort
7. Pain That Affects Your Daily Activities
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