Pain Spotlight: Knee Pain
Posted on January 31, 2020
Knee pain, like other types of pain conditions, can be acute (sudden) or chronic (on-going). Knee pain is one of the most common causes of pain and it’s easy to imagine why. Our knees play a fundamental role in movement and can be affected by anything from an injury to a medical condition. Sometimes, knee pain can be a result of more than one condition.
How will you know if there’s a problem with your knee? Aside from pain, look for redness, swelling, strange noises in the joint (like a popping sound), and feelings of stiffness or weakness. You might also find it difficult to flex your knee or put weight on the joint.
Knee Pain and Injuries
Knee pain that is the result of an injury, especially a sports-related injury, can result in painful conditions like problems with the ACL (a ligament injury), torn cartilage, inflammation, or tendinitis. Runners, in particular, often experience iliotibial band syndrome. IT band syndrome tends to cause pain on the outside of the knee as a result of inflammation and swelling. While you may have some idea if your knee pain is caused by an injury, other conditions might not be as clear. Your knee could also become dislocated or even be affected by pain in other parts of your body, such as your foot.
Knee Pain and Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain. There are many different types of arthritis. Some of them, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, are more likely to affect the knee than others. Gout, too, is strongly associated with knee pain.
Other Causes of Knee Pain
Certain infections, connective tissue disorders, and autoimmune disorders can also affect the knee. If you’re experiencing knee pain, visiting a physician is an important step to ensuring the long-term health and wellness of your joint.
Treating Knee Pain
Visiting a pain management clinic can make a world of difference for your knee pain. At a pain management center, your physician will examine your knee and determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatments for chronic or acute knee pain may include anti-inflammatory or mild pain relieving medications, as well as plans to strengthen and exercise the joint. There are certain stretches that your doctor can teach you to help alleviate your pain. General rest and heat/ice therapies, too, can be important for certain types of knee pain.
If your knee pain is caused by a condition like arthritis, treating the condition will have an impact on your knee pain.
Schedule an Appointment with Riverside Pain Physicians
Riverside Pain Physicians is a quality center for pain management. Our team offers the highest level of care. We have several locations in the Jacksonville area to best serve you. Contact us today for more information on how we can help with your knee pain. You can also ask your primary care doctor for a referral to our pain management center.
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