One of the most common complaints for people of all ages and activity levels is knee pain. While treatment options will depend on whether it is caused by an injury or underlying condition, the symptoms typically include pain, stiffness, and swelling. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what exacerbates your knee pain; some pain is made worse by a specific movement while some people will feel discomfort when standing up after sitting for a long time.
There are many different causes and courses of treatment available for knee pain.
The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the ligaments that connect your femur to your shin. It can be damaged while playing sports or performing movements that require sudden directional changes. If it is not a complete tear, non-surgical treatment including physical therapy and orthotics can be considered. However, if the tear is causing knee instability, surgery will have to be considered.
The tough cartilage that sits between your shin and thigh bones is called the meniscus. If you twist suddenly while putting weight on your knee, the meniscus can be damaged. Depending on the patient’s activity level and the severity and location of the tear, you may be able to use physical therapy and orthotics to heal. Surgery may be required to mend the tear in more severe cases.
If you have chronic hip or foot pain, you may adjust the way you walk to try to lessen your discomfort. This change will put new stress onto your knee, causing the joint pain. These gait disturbances can be repaired with orthotics or treatment to the affected hip or foot.
Also known as degenerative arthritis, this is the most common type of arthritis, affecting the hips, knees, elbows, and shoulders. Caused by normal wear and tear, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in your knee starts to break down. Treatment options include corticosteroid injections for anti-inflammatory, physical therapy, braces, and lastly, surgery to remove damaged cartilage or to replace the knee joint entirely.
Knee pain can be extremely uncomfortable and can interfere with your daily tasks. There’s no need to suffer without help any longer – consult with a physician at Florida Spine Institute to see what treatment options can eliminate pain in your knees – one of the most common complaints for people of all ages.
