What is knee pain?
The knee is one of the largest, most essential joints in the body. Due to its assembly of bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, knee problems cause serious inconveniences. Knee pain can be the result of damage to this joint due to osteoarthritis, wear and tear, or sudden impact. Advanced Sports and Spine provides treatment for knee pain in Charlotte, NC.
Living with knee pain affects your mobility and functionality. It can be hard to get around and to participate in routine activities. Finding relief for your knee pain is a necessity. A physical exam is necessary to determine the source of your problem. Additional testing such as an x-ray or MRI may be recommended.
Knee pain treatment with our board-certified physiatrists can improve your quality of life and help you get back on your feet.
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Knee sprains and trauma
Sports and recreation activities and osteoarthritis are two of the most common causes of knee injuries. These activities can place tremendous forces on the knee joint. Most of the time, the knee can withstand the pressure. Other times, the added force causes knee injuries.
Athletes who professionally play highly physical sports such as football or basketball are prone to knee tears from stress on the knee. The ligaments and tendons of the knee can be damaged while twisting, pivoting, tackling, and performing unexpected movements of the joints in high-speed crashes or sports.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOWKnee pain can be caused by a sudden injury, an underlying condition, or an untreated knee fracture.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. An estimated 30.8 million United States adults are affected. The knee is one of the most commonly affiliated joints. Osteoarthritis of the knee may be due to age, weight, heredity, gender, repetitive injuries, athletics, or certain illnesses.
The meniscus is the rubbery cartilage that acts as a cushion to the knee joint. Damage to the meniscus can occur during contact sports. A torn meniscus is a common knee injury. Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and trouble fully extending the knee.
These conditions refer to general inflammation of the knee. Tendinitis involves inflammation within the tendons and may be called jumper’s knee. Bursitis is swelling of the bursa and is also known as housemaid’s knee or carpenter’s knee. These conditions commonly occur due to repeated friction or trauma to the knees.
A rapid change in direction or improper landing from a jump can cause an ACL injury. An ACL tear is the most common sports injury to the knee. Ligaments attach bones to bones; therefore, a ligament tear can cause significant joint instability.
A blow to the front of the knee when the knee is bent can cause a PCL tear. This type of injury may occur during motor vehicle accidents.
The iliotibial band runs along the outside of the thigh, pelvis to tibia, connecting the knee and hip joints. It stabilizes the knee as the joint extends and flexes. Iliotibial band syndrome (IT band syndrome) involves the overuse of this connective tissue causing pain to the outside of the knee.
The bursa are small, fluid-filled sacs located throughout the body to provide cushion between bones and tissues. Pes anserine bursitis occurs when the bursa between the shin bone and tendons in the hamstring become inflamed. If the bursa are irritated or produce too much fluid, too much pressure is placed on the knee. The result is knee pain and tenderness.
Although it is uncommon, chronic pain is possible even following knee surgery. Knee pain or instability may occur following surgery.
In some patients, the pain occurs on the outside of the knee where the tendons and ligaments are located. The connective tissue may be damaged during surgery or stressed from the implant following the procedure. The result is instability, hypermobility, and pain.
ABOUT TREATMENTS FOR KNEE PAIN
At our pain management clinic in Charlotte, NC, we offer several different options for treating knee pain. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, stem cell therapy, and ablation are some of the treatments we offer to reduce or eliminate knee pain.
Finding the appropriate exercises for knee pain requires you to identify the root of the knee pain and the range of motion allowed by the knee. In some cases, treatment for knee pain is essential prior to doing these exercises. In others, exercises can help strengthen the knee and improve pain symptoms. Our team can assess your unique joint concerns and deliver the best recommendation for your needs.
Knee pain should be evaluated by a health professional any time it presents a serious issue. If your quality of life has suffered; your knee is swollen, hot, or inflamed; or your knee pain keeps you from activities you previously enjoyed, it is likely time to see a pain management specialist.
Knee pain can signal a small issue, such as soreness or mild inflammation. In these cases, knee pain may resolve on its own. In many cases, however, knee pain signals a deeper issue and will not go away without intervention. Even if your knee pain is mild, a pain management team can evaluate your knee and determine whether or not treatment is needed.
Any type of sustained pain or inflammation may be cause for concern. If knee pain is persistent, has changed the way you live your life, or has failed to respond to standard management measures such as rest, ice, and heat, it may signal a more serious issue. Without a professional evaluation, you will likely not know how serious knee pain is. A standard check-up or pain management evaluation appointment can more clearly determine how serious your knee pain is.
Joints are among the strongest and most vulnerable areas of the body. Keeping them healthy and strong should be a priority to prevent premature aging and wear on the joints.
One of the most significant preventive measures you can use to protect your knees is maintaining a healthy weight. Eating a healthy, whole diet can also help protect joints from premature aging. Engaging in exercise that does not stress the joints can also be helpful, as can maintaining proper posture.
The duration of knee pain depends on the root of the pain and the procedures used to reduce or eliminate pain. Knee pain caused by arthritis, for instance, is chronic and may only find ease after an intervention like nerve ablation. Knee pain caused by an injury will usually ebb following treatment and rehabilitation. Knee pain caused by a simple injury or soreness should abate in a matter of days or weeks.
Ligament injuries in your knee are extremely painful. Typically, people who tear a ligament hear a loud “pop” at the moment of injury and experience a sharp or shooting pain. Pain may grow worse when weight is put on the knee and swelling is highly likely.
Finding the right knee joint pain treatment means finding the source of the pain. A torn ligament, for instance, requires different treatment than arthritis in the knee. Bursitis treatment will differ substantially from treatment for a damaged kneecap. Finding a way to stop knee pain means evaluating the cause of the pain and developing a treatment plan which may involve injections, physical therapy, and exercises to target that specific area of the knee.
Knee pain that flares up at certain times of day is usually related to an inflammatory condition like arthritis. For mild arthritis, at-home remedies like hot and cold therapy may help. For more advanced arthritis, regenerative therapies can help heal the issue at hand and relieve much of the pain associated with arthritic knees.
