Who To Go To For Knee Pain

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.

Q How Do You Reduce Fluid In The Knee

What Causes Knee Pain

Your knee joint is made of bone, cartilage, ligaments, and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is damaged, you have knee problems. These are some of the more common causes of knee pain:

• Osteoarthritis. The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. The knee may become swollen and cartilage may be destroyed.
• Ligament injuries. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries usually result from a sudden twisting motion. Injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament are usually caused by a direct impact, like impact from a car accident or sports activities.
• Tendon injuries. These can range from inflammation to a tear, most likely from overuse in sports or from a fall.
• Cartilage injuries and disorders. Injury, overuse, muscle weakness, or misalignment of the knee can soften the cartilage of the kneecap, or a blow to the knee may tear off a piece of cartilage.
• Broken kneecap. The small, round bone that sits over the front of your knee joint breaks, usually as the result of a fall or a direct blow to the knee.

Also Check: How To Whiten Knees And Elbows

Focus On Minimally Invasive Knee Pain Treatments

Finally, its important that your knee pain doctor focuses primarily on minimally invasive treatments rather than complex surgeries or narcotics. Some of the best knee pain treatments include steroid injections, viscosupplementation, genicular nerve block, and genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation. These are all minimally invasive treatments with a negligible risk of side effects and they can provide long term relief from the actual root cause of knee pain.

Kick Knee Pain To The Curb

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among the patients we treat as physical therapists. In fact, approximately 1 in every 4 adults have experienced knee pain that impacts their normal daily function.

The extent of knee pain can vary significantly depending on the nature of injury. From sprained ligaments because of a sport-related injury to degenerative bone changes due to osteoarthritis, Bay State Physical Therapy is your go-to medical provider to help you return to the activities you love.

You May Like: How To Whiten Knees Fast

My Knee Pain Is Severe I Cant Handle It

This is the obvious one. Even if the injury itself doesnt require emergent treatment or surgery, you may need to go in to the emergency room just because the pain is too much. A lot of factors play into this the severity of the injury, any pain medications you were taking before the injury, and your tolerance.

Ways To Treat Knee Pain Radiating Down Shin

1. Lose weight

Losing weight can help improve your knee pain because it reduces the weight on your knee joint. The Community Health Research Research Guidelines recommend losing 5 percent of your weight over a 20-week period.

How to lose weight in order to reduce knee pain radiating down shin.

2. Improve movement

Exercise is important for people with arthritis. It increases strength and flexibility, relieves joint pain, and helps fight fatigue. In fact, when strong and painful joints are already falling, the idea of walking around a barrier or swimming a few thighs may seem overwhelming.

But you dont need to run a marathon or swim as fast as an Olympic competitor to help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. Even moderate exercise can reduce your pain and help you maintain a healthy weight. When arthritis threatens to weaken you, exercise makes you able to move forward.

If you have osteoarthrosis, exercising to strengthen and straighten your knee is about improving your function and mobility. This can help reduce pain and stiffness. Both ground-based exercises, such as yoga, and water movements, such as water aerobics, can help.

3. Perform heat and cold therapy

4. Find helpful materials

If you have limited mobility as a result of arthritis of the knee, working with a physical or occupational therapist can help you find tools to use in your daily life. For example, you can succeed with a regular knee brace or walker.

5. Use natural remedies

6. The pain subsides

Don’t Miss: Whiten Knees Fast

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.

Other Tactics You Can Use To Avoid Injury:

• Choose the right shoes, and know when to replace them. Avid runners will be prone to knee pain if they wear incorrect running shoes, such as a shoe designed for a low arch worn by someone with a high arch, or if they fail to replace their running shoes in the correct time interval, typically at 200 to 300 miles depending on body type and shoe type, Bayes says.
• Stretch properly. Tight muscles are at risk for strain and can put extra force on the knees and other joints.
• Get adequate rest. Take at least one to two days off from running per week to avoid overuse.
• Stay well-hydrated. by even 5 percent has been shown to increase injury risk, Schulz says.

Once you know what to do to avoid an injury,

Read Also: How To Stop Limping After Knee Surgery

Youre Experiencing The Symptoms Of A Heart Attack

Dr. Rodriguez says hes seen a 40% decrease in heart attack patients seeking care in the emergency room, despite the symptoms of a heart attack signaling a medical emergency.

According to the American Heart Association, heart attack symptoms in both men and women include pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, jaw, neck, or stomach shortness of breath nausea sweating or lightheadedness. It should be noted, however, that men typically experience the standard chest pain or discomfort, while women more often experience other, sometimes more flu-like symptoms.

When Should I See A Pain Management Specialist

You should consult with a pain management specialist if your acute knee pain seems to be transitioning into chronic pain. Generally, this is when the pain lasts longer than 90 days, but it could be sooner. Pain that lasts longer than expected for the condition you have is a warning sign that the pain is becoming chronic.

Pain management specialists can provide diagnosis and treatment on their own or in consultation with other health care providers. These may include your primary care physician, orthopedist, rheumatologist, or physical therapist.

Orthopedists treat problems related to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Rheumatologists specialize in the nonsurgical treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Physical therapists use exercises and stretches, movement training, medical massage, and other hands-on techniques to help patients increase mobility, ease pain, and protect against further injury.

Also Check: Bioknee Cost

What You Need To Know

• The most common causes of knee pain are related to aging, injury or repeated stress on the knee.
• Common knee problems include sprained or strained ligaments, cartilage tears, tendonitis and arthritis.
• Diagnosing a knee injury or problem includes a medical examination and usually the use of a diagnostic procedure such as an x-ray, MRI, CT scan or arthroscopy.
• Both non-operative and surgical treatment options are available to treat knee pain and problems depending on the type and severity of the condition.

Can You Prevent Knee Pain

There can be many reasons for knee pain. Therefore, there are different strategies to prevent the pain depending on the underlying cause. Running on soft surfaces or decreasing the amount of running can help if the pain is due to overuse. Avoiding any direct injuries to the knee including wearing a seatbelt can prevent traumatic injuries. Weight loss can be helpful for many different forms of knee pain.

Also Check: How To Whiten Knees And Elbows

Understanding Suspicion In The Emergency Room

âIn most cases, itâs probably unfair to the patient,â Blumstein says. But emergency room doctors have strong motivations to carefully screen out drug seekers. They want to thwart drug abuse and any chance that narcotics will be diverted, for example, sold to strangers, or exchanged for illegal substances. âThey have a high street value,â Blumstein says.

ER doctors have one useful tool, though. Currently, 34 states have prescription drug monitoring programs that allow doctors to check a patientâs prescription history online. âI can look up a patient and see all the prescriptions that have been filled for controlled substances,â says Blumstein, who practices in North Carolina. Doctors can use the database to corroborate a patientâs story. Or they might see patterns that warn them to probe further for drug abuse, for example, prescriptions from numerous physicians that have been filled at multiple pharmacies.

âIt is an unbelievably great tool for physicians,â says Eduardo Fraifeld, MD, president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

But ER doctors also rely on instincts, Blumstein says. âItâs all perception. Itâs the whole gut impression that the health-care providers get about you.â

So how can a patient with chronic pain convince the ER staff that their complaints are legitimate? Here are a few tips from the pain experts:

1. Make sure that you have a regular physician who treats your chronic pain.

3. Bring a letter from your doctor.

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.

Recommended Reading: Can I Regrow Cartilage In My Knee

When To Visit A Healthcare Provider

You should visit a healthcare provider if you have knee pain when sitting, especially if it prevents you from moving around your home or office as youd like.

Talk with a healthcare provider if you have:

• New knee pain
• Your normal knee pain has changed or worsened
• Your pain has persisted for several days
• You have an injury
• You are uncertain of the cause of your knee pain

If your pain is severe, chronic, or seems to signal a serious musculoskeletal condition, your primary care provider may refer you to a specialist:

• An orthopedist is a surgeon who specializes in treating joint and bone conditions, especially those that could improve with surgical intervention.
• A rheumatologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats autoimmune conditions like RA.

What Are Some Common Knee Problems

Many knee problems are a result of the aging process and continual wear and stress on the knee joint . Other knee problems are a result of an injury or a sudden movement that strains the knee. Common knee problems include the following:

ACL Tears in Female Athletes: Q& A with a Sports Medicine Expert

Sports injury prevention isn’t a one-stop shop, especially for injuries like ACL tears, which are four to eight times more common among women than men. Discover ways for women to help prevent this common injury.

Read Also: Nano Knee Cost

When Should I See A Knee Doctor To Treat My Pain

Knee pain is very common and can have different causes. Whether young or mature, you can experience knee pain. When knee pain is experienced by a young person, its usually a result of an injury. Older adults and the elderly experiencing knee pain may be due to wear and tear or arthritis.

Knee pain that does not get better warrants a visit to a doctor. Pain is your bodys way of alerting you that something is wrong. Here are a few signs that its time to see a doctor for knee pain.

Knee Sprain Or Strain

A knee sprain and a strain can sound like the exact same injury, but they are different. A sprain happens when you injure the ligaments around your knee. Meanwhile, a strain happens when you injure the tendons or muscles surrounding the knee. Both types of injuries can be the result of strenuous activity or an accident. Additionally, both injuries can cause pain and swelling.

Don’t Miss: Rollator Knee Scooter

Exercises To Strengthen Your Knee & Prevent Knee Pain

Patients who experience pain often do not want to move a muscle in the fear that it will worsen the discomfort. However, medical experts emphasise that being mobile is an integral part of relieving and preventing pain.

If youre looking for simple exercises that help to strengthen your knees, consider the following:

Brief Anatomy Of The Knee

The knee is a vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday activities, such as lifting and kneeling, and from high-impact activities, such as jogging and aerobics.

The knee is formed by the following parts:

• Tibia. This is the shin bone or larger bone of the lower leg.

• Femur. This is the thighbone or upper leg bone.

• Patella. This is the kneecap.

Each bone end is covered with a layer of cartilage that absorbs shock and protects the knee. Basically, the knee is 2 long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

There are 2 groups of muscles involved in the knee, including the quadriceps muscles , which straighten the legs, and the hamstring muscles , which bend the leg at the knee.

Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Some ligaments on the knee provide stability and protection of the joints, while other ligaments limit forward and backward movement of the tibia .

Also Check: Can You Rebuild Cartilage In Your Knee

How Will Your Doctor Diagnose A Meniscus Tear

Your doctor will ask how the injury happened and if you have ever had any other knee injuries. Your doctor may also ask you about pain, swelling, locking, or buckling of the knee. You will have a physical exam to find out if you have a torn meniscus and to rule out other knee injuries.

Your doctor will check both knees for tenderness, range of motion, and knee stability. X-rays are usually done. Based on your symptoms and the physical exam, your doctor may diagnose a meniscus tear. He or she may suggest that you follow up with an orthopedic surgeon, although it is not always needed. Your doctor or the orthopedic surgeon may suggest other tests such as an MRI or arthroscopy.

If your pain is very bad at first, you might go to the emergency room. If your pain is not so bad, you may wait to see if it goes away. Most people go to the doctor when pain and swelling comes back after they use their knee.