What causes knee pain?
Sports injuries are one of the most common causes of knee pain, whether you take a direct hit to the knee or tear ligaments when you pivot or execute a sidestep cutting maneuver.
Athletes and nonathletes alike often develop knee pain due to an overuse injury. As you repeatedly perform the same movements, small tears and inflammation develop in ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
As you get older, however, your knee pain is most likely associated with a degenerative disease like osteoarthritis.
A few of the top causes of knee pain include:
- Ligament injuries
- Meniscus tears
- Tendonitis
- Fractures
- Bursitis
- Dislocations
- Osteoarthritis
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee)
When adolescents go through growth spurts, they can develop knee pain when the growth plate at the top of their shinbone becomes swollen and irritated.
What other symptoms accompany knee pain?
The injuries and diseases responsible for knee pain often cause other symptoms. You may experience:
- Bruising
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Joint stiffness and limited movement
- Clicking or popping in the joint
- Locked knee joint
- Inability to straighten your knee
- Inability to bear weight on the affected knee
If you sustained a ligament injury, your knee may also develop instability and feel like it’s going to give out.
How is knee pain treated?
Your provider at Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine begins by reviewing your symptoms and completing a physical exam.
Based on your exam, they determine if you need an X-ray or MRI. You have diagnostic imaging on-site, so you get quick results, and the team can immediately start your treatment.
In most cases, knee pain treatment begins with the most appropriate conservative therapies. Your treatment plan could include any of the following:
- Activity modification
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Immobilization
- Bracing and splinting
- Physical therapy
- Home rehabilitation
- Athletic training
- Tenex procedure
- Joint replacement
- Knee injections (e.g., steroids, PRP, Gel-One® or Supartz hyaluronic acid injections)
You may need immediate knee surgery for a ruptured ligament, torn meniscus, or complex fracture. If you have articular cartilage damage, you may qualify to participate in a clinical trial testing a new treatment that promotes cartilage growth.
What happens if I need surgery for knee pain?
If you need knee surgery, you may have your procedure on-site at The Orthopedic Surgical Center of Montana. The team offers the full range of knee surgeries in their outpatient center, including arthroscopy.
During arthroscopy, your provider inserts a slim instrument containing a camera through a small incision. Once the camera is in the knee joint, they can closely examine the tissues, verify your diagnosis, and perform surgery to repair the problem.
If you need experienced treatment for knee pain, call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or request an appointment online.
