What is knee pain?

One of the body’s biggest and most important joints is the knee. Knee issues are very inconvenient because of the way that its bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage are put together. Knee discomfort may be brought on by osteoarthritis, wear and tear, or a sudden trauma to the knee. In Charlotte, North Carolina, Southern Pain & Spine Specialists offers knee pain treatment.

Your functional range of motion and mobility are both impacted by knee pain. It may be challenging to move about and engage in daily tasks. You must find relief from your knee pain. A physical examination is required to identify the cause of your issue. It might be advised to undergo additional testing, such as an MRI or x-ray.

Our board-certified physiatrist, Dr. Alamarie, offers knee pain treatment that can enhance your quality of life and get you back on your feet quickly.

KNEE INJURIES

Knee sprains and trauma

Two of the most frequent causes of knee injury are sports and recreational activities and osteoarthritis. The knee joint may experience extreme forces as a result of these actions. The knee can often handle the pressure. Sometimes the extra force results in knee damage.

Professional athletes who participate in physically demanding sports like football or basketball are more likely to get knee injuries. When performing twisting, turning, tackling, and other unexpected motions of the joints during high-speed crashes or sports, the knee’s ligaments and tendons may sustain damage.

KNEE CONDITIONS

A sudden injury, an underlying ailment, or an untreated knee fracture can all lead to knee discomfort.

Osteoarthritis

The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. The affected adults in the United States number 30.8 million. One of the joints that is most frequently associated is the knee. Age, weight, inheritance, gender, recurrent injuries, athletics, or specific conditions can all contribute to osteoarthritis of the knee.

Meniscal Injury

The stretchy cartilage known as the meniscus serves as a cushion for the knee joint. Sports involving contact can injure the meniscus. A common knee injury is a torn meniscus. Pain, edema, stiffness, and difficulty completely extending the knee are among symptoms.

Patellar Tendinitis and Prepatellar Bursitis

These issues all involve general knee inflammation. Tendinitis, sometimes known as jumper’s knee, is an inflammation of the tendons. Bursitis, sometimes referred to as carpenter’s knee or housemaid’s knee, is an inflammation of the bursa. The frequent friction or injury to the knees that often results in these disorders.

ACL/PCL Sprains

An ACL injury can be brought on by a sharp direction shift or a faulty landing after a jump. The most frequent knee sports injury is an ACL tear. Because bones are connected by ligaments, a ligament tear can seriously compromise the stability of a joint.

A PCL tear can result from a hit to the front of the knee when the knee is bent. Vehicle accidents might result in this kind of harm.

Mechanical Problems like Iliotibial Band Syndrome

The iliotibial band connects the knee and hip joints and extends around the outside of the thigh from the pelvis to the tibia. As the knee flexes and expands, it stabilizes the knee. The misuse of this connective tissue results in iliotibial band syndrome (IT band syndrome), which hurts the outside of the knee.

Pes Anserine Bursitis

The bursa are tiny sacs filled with fluid that are positioned all over the body to act as a cushion between bones and tissues. The bursa between the shin bone and the tendons in the hamstring becomes inflamed, resulting in pes anserine bursitis. Too much pressure is applied to the knee when the bursa are irritated or produce an excessive amount of fluid. Knee discomfort and tenderness are the result.

Persistent Pain Despite Knee Replacement

Even after knee surgery, chronic discomfort is a possibility, albeit it is uncommon. Following surgery, knee discomfort or instability may develop.

Some people experience pain on the outside of the knee, close to the tendons and ligaments. It is possible for the connective tissue to sustain damage during surgery or stress from the implant afterward. Instability, hypermobility, and discomfort are the results.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain

We provide numerous alternative options for treating knee pain at our pain management center in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of the therapies we provide to lessen or get rid of knee pain is platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy. We also provide stem cell therapy and ablation.

Any time knee discomfort indicates a major problem, a medical specialist should assess it. It’s probably time to consult a pain management professional if your quality of life has decreased, your knee is swollen, heated, or inflamed, or your knee discomfort prevents you from doing activities you used to love.

Any kind of persistent discomfort or inflammation could be problematic. Knee pain may indicate a more significant problem if it is chronic, has affected how you live your life, or does not improve with typical management techniques like rest, ice, and heat. You’ll probably be unable to determine the severity of knee discomfort without a professional evaluation. The severity of your knee discomfort can be more accurately assessed during a routine check-up or pain management evaluation appointment.

You must determine the cause of the knee pain and the range of motion that the knee allows before you can choose the right workouts for knee pain. In some situations, getting therapy for knee discomfort is necessary before engaging in these workouts. In others, strengthening the knee through exercise helps reduce pain symptoms. Our staff can evaluate your particular shared concerns and provide the finest advice for your requirements.

A minor problem, such as discomfort or moderate inflammation, may be indicated by knee pain. Knee discomfort in certain scenarios might go away on its own. Knee discomfort, however, frequently indicates a more serious problem and will not go away on its own. A pain management team can assess your knee and decide whether or not therapy is necessary, even if your knee pain is mild.

The cause of the pain and the methods taken to lessen or eradicate it will determine how long knee pain lasts. For example, arthritis-related knee discomfort can be chronic and only get better after a procedure like nerve ablation. Knee pain from an injury will typically go away after treatment and recovery. Simple injuries or discomfort that result in knee pain should go away within a few days or weeks.

Your knee’s ligament injuries are excruciatingly painful. At the time of damage, patients who tear a ligament typically hear a loud “pop” and feel a sharp or shooting pain. Weight bearing on the knee may make the pain worse, and swelling is almost certain.

An inflammatory condition like arthritis is typically the cause of knee discomfort that gets worse at particular times of the day. Home remedies like heat and cold therapy may be helpful for mild arthritis. Regenerative therapy can aid in the resolution of the current problem and significantly lessen knee discomfort in cases of more severe arthritis.