Are you experiencing nagging knee pain that just won’t seem to go away? You are not alone. At Elite Sports Medicine we see all kinds of conditions and injuries of the knee. As with any joint pain, there could be a long list of reasons for your pain. We recommend seeing an orthopedic surgeon for all your joint pain needs, especially one who specializes in the knee. When a surgeon specializes in a specific joint, this means they have additional training and experience dealing with that specific joint, giving you peace of mind knowing your surgeon is well equipped to handle your injury.
What is the most common reason for knee pain?
One of the most common causes of knee pain is Patellofemoral syndrome. This is when the cartilage under the kneecap becomes damaged due to overuse. Pain in the front of the knee is common and this condition can be healed with conservative treatments. Age-related conditions such as arthritis are also common as the knee is vulnerable to injury throughout life.
How do I know if my knee pain is serious?
Our doctors always say to evaluate how the pain is affecting your daily activities as well as the things you love to do. Are you able to take out the trash, play with your kids, or exercise comfortably? If your answer no to any of those questions, we recommend coming in to see an orthopedic surgeon. Pain should not stop you from living your life and there are professionals who can help get you back to doing what you love.
As far as specific triggers to look out for, the following warrant a visit to an orthopedic surgeon:
- Sharp or dull pain
- Swelling
- Pins and needles feeling
- Redness
- Difficulty straightening knee
- Loss of range of motion
- Pain when bending the knee
How do I get rid of my knee pain?
If the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is not alleviating the pain, your doctor will need to step in. At Elite, we always start with the least invasive treatment possible and never jump to surgery (unless completely necessary). Your doctor will begin with asking you questions about your injury and possibly take imaging such as XRAYS. If your pain seems to be coming from a soft tissue injury or condition, then your doctor will order an MRI to better diagnose the problem. Once they can see what is going on inside your knee, they will start with the least invasive route and go from there.
Here is a list of possible treatments for knee pain from least invasive to most:
- RICE method along with anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physical Therapy
- Dry Needling, BFR (Blood Flow Restriction)
- Injections (such as cortisone or Gel shots)
- Surgery
After your doctor has reached a diagnosis, they will determine where you best fall on this list. If you have concerns about any of the treatments list, do not be afraid to voice those to your surgeon so you both can agree upon the same treatment plan.
How Are Knee Pain Conditions Diagnosed?
Most knee pain conditions are treated with imaging such as XRAYS or MRIs combined with the symptoms you explain to your knee doctor. XRAYS are a great tool for seeing any bone damage while MRIs are good for harder-to-read soft tissue injuries. At Elite, we offer the most advanced imaging, giving our doctors the best possible diagnosis for our patients.
Arthroscopic surgery is the best way to really see what is going on inside the knee joint. The surgeon can see inside your knee in real-time and make adjusts to the joint or cartilage as necessary.
Other Possible Reasons for Knee Pain:
- Sprained or strained ligaments
- Torn cartilage
- Tendonitis
- Other forms of arthritis such as Rheumatoid Arthritis
Book an Appointment with Nashville’s Best Knee Surgeons
If you think you may need to see a knee doctor after reading this blog, schedule an appointment with one of our 5 knee specialists in the Nashville and Franklin area. Dr. Burton Elrod, Dr. David Moore, Dr. Chad Price, Dr, Gregory Raab, Dr. Amanda Martin, and Dr. Brian Dierckman all specializes in the knee and could be the right fit for you. Click their names and after determining the best one for you give our office a call at 615-324-1600 to schedule an appointment or request one here.
Sources:
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2019, November 15). Torn meniscus. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/torn-meniscus/symptoms-causes/syc-20354818
Author: AMWN Dev
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