Understanding What Knee Pain Is
Knee pain is, in essence, a signal from your body that something is wrong with your knee. In some cases, it is, in fact, your knee telling you that you have torn a ligament or have otherwise injured it.
However, in other cases, it is telling you there is an infection, inflammation, or some other ailment that falls under the knee pain without traumatic injuries or dislocation.
Luckily, certain conditions resulting in knee pain are relatively minor and only require in-home treatment to resolve. However, other types of pain are harder to resolve, and even if they are not the result of injury, they will require some level of medical intervention to resolve.
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.
When To Seek Immediate Medical Attention
In some cases, your knee pain may require urgent medical attention. You may have suffered a knee injury due to a fall, arthritis, sports, or a car accident. Unknowingly, you may be dealing with a knee fracture, dislocation, ligament injury, torn meniscus, etc. A knee doctor will be able to properly assess the extent of your condition.
If you have a sudden knee injury, go to your doctor as soon as possible. Ask someone to take you to your provider if you experience any of the following:
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Swelling Thats 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, dont 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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Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates: How Can We Help
Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates is one of the regions leading orthopedic practices. We take pride in the education and experience that each of our doctors holds.
We strive to keep you informed and active in the decision-making process from your initial appointment to the conclusion of your treatment. It is always our policy to be conservative with our course of treatment and to only recommend surgery if it is genuinely needed. With many of our surgical procedures, our patients are home the same day of surgery.
If you have knee pain, get in touch we will schedule an appointment and create a plan to get you back to your normal activities.
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What Is A Knee Specialist Called
First and foremost, you need to know what type of doctor to see for you knee pain. If you were to go to your general practitioner about your knee pain, he or she would most likely refer you to an orthopedic doctor.
The University of Utah explains in general terms that, Orthopedic doctors are doctors who focus on caring for your bones, joints, ligament, nerves, and tendons . As such, a knee pain specialist is called an orthopedic knee specialist.
Keep in mind that many orthopedic doctors specialize in just one or two parts of the musculoskeletal system, so it is important to verify with any new doctor that he or she specializes in knees before making an appointment.
How Long Should You Wait To See A Doctor For Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common problem that affects people of all ages. Because the knee is so complex, several injuries are common to the joint. These injuries can occur over time, during sporting events or other activities.
It can be tempting to disregard knee pain but you should never have to live with pain or weakness. If you are experiencing redness, significant swelling or severe pain, you should consult with one of our surgeons. They can discuss your options so your daily life activities can be pain-free once more.
Continue reading to learn more about knee pain and when you should see a doctor.
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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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Urgent Advice: Get Advice From 111 Now If:
- your knee is very painful
- you cannot move your knee or put any weight on it
- your knee is badly swollen or has changed shape
- you have a very high temperature, feel hot and shivery, and have redness or heat around your knee this can be a sign of infection
111 will tell you what to do. They can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or .
You can also go to an urgent treatment centre if you need to see someone now.
They’re also called walk-in centres or minor injuries units.
You may be seen quicker than you would at A& E.
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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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.
What Other Symptoms May Be Associated With Knee Pain
If you have knee pain, you may get other symptoms such as:
- swelling, redness or heat in the knee
- bruising around the knee
- locking or clicking
- inability to straighten your knee
See a doctor if the pain doesnt improve in a few weeks, if you cant move your knee or put any weight on it, or if your knee locks or gives way.
Go to an emergency department if your knee is very painful, is badly swollen or has changed shape, or if you have a fever and a red and hot knee.
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Swelling Redness Or Deformity
When your knee pain is accompanied by swelling or redness or feels warm to the touch, it could be a sign of infection. Underlying conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or bursitis can also be the source of swelling.
A septic joint is one type of infection associated with knee pain. This occurs when bacteria invade the synovial fluid, the liquid that lubricates your knee joint. A septic joint may occur when bacteria enter your knee joint area through an open wound or a puncture wound, or as a result of knee bursitis.
Any type of knee deformation can indicate a potentially serious condition. A broken bone, torn cartilage, or torn ligament may be the source of pain. Knee pain that occurs as the result of a trauma, such as a car accident or sports injury, should be evaluated for the possibility of joint damage.
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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Your Knee Has Been Feeling Funny For Several Days But Youre Not Sure If You Need To Make An Appointment With Your Doctor Here Are Some Telltale Signs That Its Time To See A Medical Professional
Whether its knee pain, a strange finger cramp or a swollen elbow, joint pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to completely debilitating. But its difficult to know when you should make an appointment with your doctor.
As a rule of thumb, you should see your doctor immediately, if your joint pain was caused by an injury. Other reasons to see your doctor include:
- Youre in a large amount of pain.
- You cant move the joint.
- It hurts to put weight on the joint.
- The joint suddenly swells.
- The joint is deformed.
If your joint pain wasnt caused by an injury, make an appointment with your doctor if:
- Your joint pain, stiffness and/or swelling lasts three days or more.
- You have several flare-ups of joint symptoms within one month.
According to Donald B. Longjohn, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC and assistant professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, whether you should go to the doctor for joint pain also depends on your age and activity level.
If a younger person playing sports has a serious injury that leads to a deformity or extreme pain, definitely go to an emergency room, Longjohn says. If its a simple sprain, twist or you pulled something, or if pain persists or swells or worsens despite resting and icing, then please get that checked out.
If your joint pain is mild and infrequent, its OK to wait and bring it up at your next annual checkup.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium .
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Wear a compression sleeve for a few days to provide support to the knee joint.
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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.
When To See Your Doctor About Knee Pain
If any of the following apply to you, youre due to see a doctor about your ongoing knee pain:
- Your knee has been hurting for longer than a week or two
- You have swelling of the knee and/or discoloration
- The pain is worse when you go from standing to sitting or vice versa
- You cant sleep at night due to the pain
- Over-the-counter painkillers arent helping
- Your knee makes a grinding, clicking, or grating noise when you flex the joint
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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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