Knee pain can be a very debilitating thing to suffer from and can interfere with daily tasks and activities. The majority of individuals who deal with knee pain experience this as a result of aging, though there are plenty of other conditions and injuries that can bring the same knee pain. There are a variety of treatments and methods you can choose from depending on your condition. Seeking treatment from orthopedic doctors or surgeons is a good first step towards pain relief and healing.
There are many conditions that cause knee pain, and each condition comes with it’s own set of treatment options. The first of these conditions is called Osteoarthritis.
There are a few different types of arthritis that can result in knee pain, but the main cause is osteoarthritis.
This condition typically presents itself in individuals over the age of 50, however, younger patients can also develop this condition. This condition is caused by the slow wearing away of the cartilage in the knee. This results in stiffness, inflammation, and swelling.
Treatments for this kind of knee condition include:
- Physical therapy: exercises and strength training in the muscle surrounding the knee. This improves range of motion and can relieve pain. However, if the bone is rubbing against bone this treatment will no longer be of help.
- Medication: over the counter medications such as acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, can help temporarily ease the pain. However, this does not yield any long-term solutions.
- Surgery: this is a treatment typically offered when other treatments have not yielded the results you’re seeking.
Another injury that causes knee pain is a torn ACL. A torn ACL is one of the more common injuries that result in knee pain. Your ACL is a ligament that connects your thigh bone to your shin bone. When this ligament is torn, it results in a limited range of motions as well as increased instability. If you are experiencing a torn ACL, here are possible treatments:
- Physical therapy: just like with osteoarthritis, strengthening the muscles around your knee can help stabilize the joint and restore range of motion. Just be sure to not exceed the limits recommended by your doctor. Otherwise, you risk further injuring the ligament.
- Knee brace: using a knee brace will provide stability after your ACL is torn. This helps prevent pain as the ligament heals.
- Surgery: sadly, these types of injuries usually require surgery. This is because the ligament cannot heal correctly on its own, and so the orthopedic surgeon will have to intervene by repairing or replacing the ligament.
A torn meniscus is pretty similar to a torn ACL, except it is a tear in the cartilage as opposed to the ligament. When you have a torn meniscus, you may find your knee locking up when you try to move it, as well as a fair amount of pain. There are really only two treatment options, and they pair together.
- Physical therapy: this is typically paired with surgery because the meniscus cannot heal itself. This will strengthen the muscles surrounding the area to give more stability to the joint.
- Surgery: this kind of injury pain can only be solved with surgery. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be a big or invasive procedure, but surgery is the best way to address a torn meniscus.
Blood flow may sound like one of the most random causes of knee pain. But it is actually quite common. Hemophilia is one of the more common blood flow conditions. Those with hemophilia have difficulty creating blood clots that help stop blood loss injuries. This can cause joint bleeds and require early joint replacement.
A lack of blood flow to the knee can also cause tremendous knee pain. These kinds of conditions will limit the amount of oxygen getting to the joint.
If you are experiencing extreme or debilitating knee pain, contact Surgery Consultants of Florida today for a consultation. Knee pain is not something to brush off or ignore, and we can start a treatment plan for you that will have you back on your feet.
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