What might be causing my knee pain?
The continual use of your lower limbs makes your knees an easy target for injury and pain. Sitting, standing, and walking all put pressure on your knees, as do sporting activities, with the result that knee pain is a common problem. Some of the most likely causes of your knee pain include:
Knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis develops as a result of cartilage wear-and-tear. It's common in older people whose cartilage has worn down over the years and in athletes from overuse. Osteoarthritis causes stiffness, pain, and swelling in your knees, which worsens over time.
Meniscal tear
Your meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage. It stabilizes your knee, helps the joint support your weight, enables you to turn your knee, and stops the bones in your knee from rubbing together. Meniscal tears may happen if you twist your knee awkwardly or slow down rapidly.
ACL tear
Your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments that attach your femur to your tibia and support your knee joint. An ACL tear is a common knee injury in which the joint becomes unstable, sliding forward too far. It causes pain, tenderness, swelling, and a reduced range of motion.
Runner's knee
Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is often a result of overuse but may be due to misalignment, weak muscles, or trauma. If you have runner's knee, you might have pain around or behind your kneecap that worsens when you walk, kneel, run, or sit. Your knee may swell, and you could experience a popping sensation in the joint.
Jumper's knee
Jumper's knee is a type of tendinitis that affects the patellar tendon. It's an overuse injury that often occurs after excessive jumping. Patellar tendinitis causes swelling around your knee and pain in your kneecap that worsens with activity.
How is knee pain treated?
Non-surgical treatments that can help with knee pain include:
- Rest and activity modification
- Icing and elevating the knee
- Physical therapy
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Wearing a knee brace
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Wearing arch supports
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid injections)
- Steroid injections
- Lipogems adipose cell therapy
In many cases, non-surgical approaches are sufficient to relieve your knee pain. However, some conditions might require surgery.
What kind of surgery might I need for knee pain?
At Metairie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Dr. Bostick has advanced skills in performing various surgeries for knee pain, including ACL reconstruction, robotic total and partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement, and meniscus repairs.
Where possible, he uses arthroscopic techniques that require only small incisions, causing less pain and bleeding and speeding up your recovery. Dr. Bostick also uses robotic-assisted surgery for suitable patients.
To get expert relief from your knee pain, call Metairie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, or book an appointment online today.
