4 Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain is particularly common, as it accounts for around 33% of musculoskeletal consultations in primary care. One of its challenges? What’s causing your discomfort might not be as evident as the throbbing pain. The majority of knee pain cases fall into one of these categories:
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries might occur because of a sudden movement or years of wear-and-tear. Generally speaking, their symptoms are swelling, instability, difficulty walking, locking of the knee, tenderness, etc. Depending on their severity, your age and overall condition, treatment can range from physical therapy and orthopedic injections to surgery.
Common knee injuries include but aren’t limited to:
- Ligament tears, typically caused by sudden twists, sport injuries and accidents.
- Meniscus tears, caused by sudden movements or gradual wear.
- Patellar tendonitis, also known as Jumper’s Knee, as it is a frequent injury among athletes.
Read more: Sports Injuries: All You (K)Need to Know
Arthritis and Other Degenerative Conditions
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions, affecting around 21.2% of adults in America. It tends to appear in people over 60 years old and can range in type, area, and severity. Our patients tend to suffer from one of these three:
Osteoarthritis
Caused by cartilage breakdown over time, it is the most common type and often characterized by stiffness, swelling, and pain that worsens with activity and movement. If this is your case, you will most likely start with lifestyle changes, medications, and injections, and move on to more complex treatments if the symptoms persist.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is an autoimmune condition that causes joint inflammation and leads to stiffness, swelling, pain in both knees, and even difficulty moving. If medication, lifestyle changes, and physical activity fail to provide the necessary relief, other options such as tendon repair or joint replacement can be assessed by your doctor.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
If you develop arthritis after an injury, it is known as post-traumatic. It has very similar symptoms to osteoarthritis, but can occur at any moment in your life after the accident. Depending on the nature of the trauma and current state, treatments will vary.
Joint Overuse
Have you ever thought about how many steps you take, every day? Week? Month? Now, imagine if you play a sport or enjoy physical activity. Your knee is the star of every leg movement, and that has consequences.
Over time, you can develop conditions like the runner’s knee, iliotibial band syndrome, or various misalignment issues that cause pain and movement difficulties. You will likely need to rest, do strengthening and stretching exercises, correct your form, and, in more complex cases, attend physical therapy or get surgery.
Nerve Damage
If your knee pain is more related to feelings of numbness, tingling, or radiating discomfort down the leg, we might be talking about a nerve issue that could actually be originating from a problem in your back or hip.
A professional evaluation will give you light on your problem and refer you to a specialist if needed. When an affected nerve is causing pain in a specific area of your body, the treatment is to find and address the root of the problem. In the meantime, you can manage the symptoms with medication.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Knee Pain in Georgia
If you have been experiencing chronic or acute pain in your knees, you must first receive careful assessment and diagnosis in order to move forward. And while attending any physical discomfort is important, seek immediate help if you are experiencing sudden swelling around your knee, inability to bear weight, visible deformity, or heard a loud popping sound after a bad movement.
Your orthopedic specialist at Ashford will get to know your symptoms and diagnose your issue through a physical exam and imaging like X-rays or MRIs. Once you have identified the cause of your ailment, they will create a personalized plan for you that can include a mix of:
- Conservative treatments like rest, ice, compression and elevation
- Physical therapy
- Medications such as anti-inflammatories or pain relievers
- Orthopedic injections
- Surgery (when necessary for severe damage)
Make sure to keep open communication with your specialist so they can identify key signs and pick the best option for you and your body.
At Arch Orthopedic & Spine, we are committed to giving you comprehensive treatment that delivers positive results. We will make sure not only to address pain and heal your joints, but to focus on regaining your strength so you can regain mobility. Call any of our Georgia locations or use our online scheduling tool.
Welcome to Arch Orthopedic & Spine, where we are devoted to keeping you strong, one step at a time.
