What is knee pain?
The knee is your body’s largest and strongest joint, but also one of the most commonly injured. Knee pain affects people of all ages, from children to mature adults.
Depending on the underlying cause, your knee pain may develop suddenly or gradually. It may be painful throughout the day or only during certain activities. Knee pain often occurs with other symptoms, such as swelling, weakness, or an inability to completely straighten your knee.
Back pain is a leading cause of disability across the globe and one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Shail Vyas, MD, provides surgical and nonsurgical interventions for back pain at Orange County Orthopaedic Group in Anaheim Hills, California. To find relief from back pain in a timely manner, call Orange County Orthopaedic Group to book an appointment today.
What causes knee pain?
Dr. Vyas treats a wide range of injuries and conditions that cause knee pain, including:
Meniscus tear
Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries. Each of your knees has two menisci, which are C-shaped pads of cartilage that cushion the space in between your thigh bone and shin bone.
A meniscus tear can occur during any activity that causes you to twist or rotate your knee too far, especially when bearing weight. You may experience a popping sensation at the time of injury, followed by knee pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
An ACL tear is a ligament injury that most often occurs during sports like soccer, basketball, football, and downhill skiing. Many people hear a loud pop or feel a popping sensation in their knee at the time of an ACL injury.
Other signs and symptoms of an ACL tear include severe pain and rapid swelling, restricted range of motion, and a feeling of instability when you try to bear weight on the injured knee.
Arthritis
There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but the most common to affect the knee include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These chronic (lifelong) conditions cause knee pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion that can make it difficult to stay active.
How is knee pain diagnosed and treated?
First, Dr. Vyas reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam. He asks you to describe your knee pain, including when it started and whether it gets better or worse with certain activities. He may also take tests, like an X-ray.
After he accurately diagnoses the cause of your knee pain, Dr. Vyas develops an individualized treatment plan. Depending on your specific condition, treatment for knee pain may include:
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Regenerative medicine treatments like stem cell injections
If your knee pain is severe or doesn’t improve with nonsurgical treatment, Dr. Vyas may recommend surgery. He’s highly trained in minimally invasive procedures like knee arthroscopy.
For expert care of any type of knee pain, call Orange County Orthopaedic Group or book an appointment online today.
