Knee pain sends millions of Americans to the hospital each year. Pain can develop slowly as a result of overuse or can come on suddenly from an injury or accident. Men and women of all ages can develop knee pain.
The knee joint allows your leg to bend and straighten. As a result, knee pain can limit your movement, making it difficult to walk and get around.
“Figuring out the cause of your knee pain is the first step in safe and effective treatment,” says Dr. Daniel Valaik, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with Riverside Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists who specializes in total joint replacements of hips and knees.
Causes of knee pain
Pain occurring in both knees is often a sign of some type of arthritis or an overuse injury.
- Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of knee pain and develops when cartilage in the knee wears away over time. Signs of include pain, swelling and stiffness.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the cartilage in the knee becomes destroyed and the tissue surround the knee is inflamed, swollen and tender.
- Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis where crystals form in the joint and cause episodes of severe pain. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain and tenderness in the knee.
In addition to pain, symptoms like clicking and difficulty bending or straightening that are limited to only one knee are a sign of a cartilage or tendon injury, adds Dr. Valaik.
- Chondromalacia occurs when the cartilage of the knee softens and is caused by overuse or improper alignment. Cartilage is a slippery tissue that provides cushion and allows the bones of the knee to glide during movement. Dull pain around or underneath the kneecap that worsens with climbing stairs or bearing weight is a sign of this injury.
- The meniscus is the piece of cartilage that acts as a pad within the knee. Knee pain occurs when the meniscus is torn. Signs you have a meniscus tear include clicking or locking of the knee, pain when the knee is straightened, swelling and locking of the knee.
- Ligament injuries involve stretching or tearing the ligaments of the knee and commonly occur during sporting events after sudden impact. A popping sound is often heard or felt during injury followed by pain and swelling. It is difficult to stand and put weight on a knee with a ligament injury and the knee may even buckle as a result.
- Tendons are a type of flexible tissue that attaches muscle to bone. Tendons may become inflamed or torn and cause pain in the knee. Signs of an injured tendon include pain with running or jumping, tenderness of the knee, difficulty lifting the leg against gravity and pain with bending or straightening the knee.
Treating knee pain
“Treatment of knee pain may include several approaches and should be individualized based on the cause of your pain,” says Dr. Valaik.
One or more of the following treatments may be recommended to relieve your knee pain and get you back on the move:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Weight loss
- Exercises to strengthen and stretch
- Surgery
- Rest
- Ice
- Elevation
- Stabilizing the knee with a brace, bandage or cast
Talk to an expert
Don’t let knee pain sideline you from doing the things you love. “Knee pain is common and highly treatable, often without surgery,” says Dr. Valaik.
Orthopedic doctors are the experts when it comes to diagnosing the causes of knee pain and putting a treatment plan in place that is customized for you.
Whether you’re looking to get back in the game or just back to normal, your return to everyday life is our top priority. Call us today at 757-534-9988 so we can develop your pain free game plan together.
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