What is knee pain?
Knee pain is an uncomfortable feeling in your knee joint, the critical connection between your thigh and lower leg. Knee pain might feel like a dull, aching pain or sharp, stabbing, shooting, or throbbing pain.
It might present as warmth, swelling, stiffness, or decreased range of motion. You may also notice crunching or popping sounds in your knee. If your knee pain is severe or long-lasting and you’d like relief, see the Total Health Solutions Medical Center team for an evaluation.
What causes knee pain?
Common causes of knee pain include:
- ACL injury
- Torn meniscus
- Fractures
- Patellar tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Kneecap dislocation
- Other injuries
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Metabolic and Autoimmune disorders
You may experience knee pain after a sports injury, a fall, or age-related wear-and-tear. Risk factors for developing knee pain include being overweight, lack of strength and flexibility, playing certain sports, and having a previous knee injury.
How can I reduce my risk of knee pain?
While you can’t always prevent knee pain, there are ways to lower your risk of experiencing it. Examples include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, and maintaining strength and flexibility.
How does my provider diagnose the cause of knee pain?
To determine what’s causing knee pain, the Total Health Solutions Medical Center team reviews your symptoms and medical history.
They complete a physical exam and assess your knee for signs of tenderness, warmth, bruising, and swelling. Your doctor may suggest X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, or blood tests to diagnose your condition.
What are my knee pain treatment options?
Depending on the type and severity of knee pain you experience, your Total Health Solutions Medical Center specialist may recommend:
Home remedies
At-home treatments that can reduce knee pain include ice or heat packs, rest, elevation, compression, and wearing a knee brace.
Injections
Knee injections can reduce inflammation and pain, accelerate healing, and increase range of motion. Your provider might suggest hyaluronic acid injections to lubricate your joints, or speciality medicine to stimulate cell regeneration. An example of speciality medicine injections is platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Physical therapy
Completing physical therapy stretches and exercises allows your knee to heal faster. Rehabilitation boosts strength and flexibility while reducing your risk of future knee injuries.
Surgery
If other knee pain treatments haven’t worked, your Total Health Solutions Medical Center specialist may suggest you undergo a surgical procedure to remove or repair damaged tissue or replace all or part of your knee joint.
Don’t live with debilitating discomfort when simple knee pain-relieving treatments are within reach at Total Health Solutions Medical Center. Schedule an appointment by phone or online today.
