Whether your extremely active or more limited in your mobility, your knees are doing a lot of work every day. The knee is one of the most complex and frequently used joints in the body, which makes it vulnerable to a variety of injuries. Some of the most common conditions that I see in patients are: arthritis, sprained ligaments, meniscus (cartilage) tears, and tendinitis.
Arthritis: Arthritis is one of the most common causes of knee pain. It is a degenerative condition that can cause symptoms such as fatigue, pain, stiffness, redness, swelling and loss of mobility. The main goal is to treat arthritis pain while increasing strength and mobility. Individualized treatment options may include medicine, exercise, heat/cold and possibly surgery.
- Osteoarthritis- is the most common type of arthritis, which affects more than 27 million adults in the US. It can be caused by sports injuries and natural wear and tear. It is most likely to occur in adults over 50 and causes pain, stiffness, swelling of the joint, tenderness, deformity and weakness.
- Rheumatoid arthritis- is the most debilitating form of arthritis,. This type of arthritis can occur at any age and symptoms may include fatigue, low fever, loss of appetite, muscle, and joint aches, stiffness, swelling, tenderness and pain in joints.
- Post-traumatic arthritis- often occurs in patients years after they have suffered a sporting injury. It is seen in about 12% of arthritis patients and symptoms usually include pain, swelling, and stiffness and a decreased tolerability for walking, sports, and other activities.
Knee Injuries: Knee Injuries are another common cause of knee pain. These injuries may affect ligaments, tendons or fluid-filled sacs (bursae). Pain, swelling, redness and warmth are typical symptoms associated with a knee injury. Some knee injuries can be successfully treated through bracing and rehabilitation exercises. However, other injuries may require surgery to correct.
4) Ligament injuries- are knee ligament sprains and tears, commonly sports related injuries. Ligament injuries are typically more serious than cartilage tears and often require a combination of surgery, pain management treatment, and physical therapy.
5) Knee Cartilage injuries- are meniscal tears and other injuries to the cartilage in the knee that often cause pain, swelling and inflammation. This type of injury is very common and can happen to patients of all ages and activity levels. In most cases, these injuries may require a combination of surgery, pain management, and physical therapy.
6) Tendinitis-is a very common cause of knee pain. It is the inflammation of the tendons, often caused by repeated movement of a joint. Pain while moving is the most common symptom associated with this condition. Tendinitis rarely requires surgery and can typically be treated with rest, physical therapy and pain management.
7) Knee bursitis- creates inflammation in the bursae, which are the small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint. Bending, kneeling and overuse can cause the bursa to become irritated and inflamed causing warmth, pain, and swelling. Knee bursitis can typically be treated with a combination of rest, anti-inflammatory medication, and pain management treatment.
- As you can see, not all knee pain is created equal. There are many different causes of knee pain and a large number of treatment options available. Most importantly, you should never ignore your pain. Seeking diagnosis will help you receive the most targeted treatment possible that get you back on your feet sooner. If you or a loved one are suffering from knee pain, don’t ignore the symptoms, schedule a consultation with our office and learn about the many treatment options that are available.
