Knee Pain Q & A
What causes knee pain?
Sports injuries represent the top cause of knee pain. Most of these injuries occur when you twist the joint or take a direct hit to the knee. In many cases, the resulting injury affects the ligaments and meniscus (the cartilage between the two leg bones in the joint).
Many people develop overuse injuries because their knees sustain significant daily wear and tear. As you get older, chances are your knee pain is due to arthritis.
Dr. Pang frequently treats knee pain caused by:
- Osteoarthritis
- Torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)
- Torn meniscus
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Joint dislocation
- Runner’s knee
People also end up with knee pain when they have a foot problem that affects the way they walk and places stress on their knees.
What other symptoms accompany knee pain?
You could have knee pain without other symptoms, but chances are the condition responsible for your pain will cause one or more of the following:
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Limited joint movement
- Bruising
- Clicking or popping
- Locked knee joint
- Inability to bear weight on your knee
If you tear a ligament, the joint may become unstable, making it feel like your knee could give out.
How is knee pain treated?
Dr. Pang carefully evaluates your knee and creates a treatment plan that’s best for the cause and severity of your pain.
Your initial treatment may include ice, heat, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and possibly bracing to stabilize or immobilize the joint. As soon as possible, you start physical therapy to restore joint movement and strength.
If your pain doesn’t improve or you have a slow-healing injury, Dr. Pang recommends additional treatments, such as:
Joint injections
Ultrasound-guided knee injections typically deliver steroids to reduce inflammation. Patients with osteoarthritis may receive an injection containing hyaluronic acid, which lubricates the joint and improves movement.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
PRP speeds up the healing process, reduces inflammation, and draws regenerative stem cells to the area.
Interventional pain relief
Dr. Pang specializes in a wide range of minimally invasive procedures that relieve your knee pain by targeting the nerves transmitting pain messages to your brain. A few examples include a genicular nerve block, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation.
When you need relief from knee pain, call the Edward K. Pang Medical Corporation or book an appointment online today.