Types Of Knee Pain Doctors
Knee pain doctors can come from various different fields of medicine such as anesthesiologists, physiatrists, neurosurgeons, podiatrists, neurologists, primary care physicians, or orthopedic surgeons.
However, broadly speaking, if you are wondering what kind of doctor for knee pain exists, there are three knee pain specialists palliative care specialists, interventional pain and spine specialists, and chronic pain specialists.
As you can see, there are a lot of options when it comes to what doctor to see for knee pain. But you should look for interventional pain specialists because theyre the only ones who can truly diagnose the root cause of your knee pain and provide long-term relief. An interventional pain specialist will use imaging tests like X-Rays, CT scans, and MRIs to determine the root cause of knee pain.
When To See A Knee Doctor
Not all knee pain requires medical treatment most minor tweaks, sprains and injuries can be treated at home with rest, ice and elevation. If youre experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should contact an orthopedic knee specialist for a consultation.
If you:
- Have distinct knee swelling or an obvious deformity
- Cant bear weight on your knee
- Your knee gives out when you try to walk
- Have a fever in addition to redness and swelling
- Are in severe pain
Chronic Knee Pain
Living in constant pain and being unable to live a normal, active life shouldnt be your norm.
If youve been experiencing chronic knee pain, its time to see a knee pain specialist. While some chronic knee conditions cannot be cured, treatments can help reduce your symptoms and pain.
How Can An Orthopedist Treat My Knee Pain
Because they specialize in diagnosing and treating issues with joints such as the knee, an orthopedist will be able to take care of your knee pain quickly and efficiently. The orthopedist will likely order an X-ray to rule out any indication of bone spurs or other issues, and the physician may also order an MRI or a CT scan for a more detailed picture of your knee.
The doctor may recommend a medication, and they are also likely to recommend physical therapy in order to get your knee back into good working order. If these noninvasive methods do not bring relief to your knee, the doctor may provide pain-relief injections in your knee. If minimally invasive injections are not working either, then surgery may be recommended to provide lasting relief.
The good news is that knee surgery has become so advanced that your orthopedic surgeon can now perform a knee operation via minimally invasive procedures. The surgery can be outpatient, so you can go home the same day of the surgery as long as you do not have any issues such as an infection.
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When Can I Walk Off Knee Painand When Should I See A Doctor
Whether you wake up with a stiff knee, sustain an injury, or start feeling knee pain for seemingly no good reason, you might wonder what to do. Should you immediately rush off to the doctor? Can you just ignore it and hope it will get better? Can you treat it yourself? Knowing when you need a doctors intervention can be a tricky decision to make.
We see people at the start of injuries and after theyve been ongoing, says Nancy White, M.D., a sports medicine physician at Henry Ford Health. While the sooner you see an expert, the better, theres really no right or wrong to it. However, there are a few key signs that its a good idea to get it checked out.
Dr. White recommends seeing a doctor if:
- You are waking up with consistent knee stiffness. If theres no history of an injury involved, it could be due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
- If your knee pain isnt going away.
- Your knee is swollen and you cant bear weight on it.
- You cant fully flex or extend your knee.
- Your knee is warm to the touch. This could signal inflammation.
If your pain is mildor youre trying to decide whether to see someoneDr. White recommends icing it on a scheduled basis. That means two to three times a day, she says. Apply the ice to your knee. It will get cold. It will burn, then it will get numb. Remove the ice when it gets to the numb stage.
What Type Of Doctor Do You See For Knee Pain
Often knee pain can be evaluated and treated by your primary care doctor. If the knee pain requires surgery or the cause of the pain needs further evaluation, an orthopedic surgeon will usually be consulted. With arthritis, gout, or inflammatory joint problems a rheumatologist may be consulted.
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How Is Knee Pain Treated After A Fall
Treatment for a knee injury caused by a fall usually involves rest and if necessary, a brace to stabilize the joint. In most cases, anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen , may be helpful.
Minor knee injuries can often be treated at home. However, its important to see a doctor if symptoms worsen or if the pain is accompanied by:
- significant joint swelling
- an inability to bear weight
- a feeling of giving way
- other signs of ligament or tendon damage
When the injury is serious, surgery may be necessary to restore function and eliminate pain.
Brief Anatomy Of The Knee
The knee is a vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday activities, such as lifting and kneeling, and from high-impact activities, such as jogging and aerobics.
The knee is formed by the following parts:
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Tibia. This is the shin bone or larger bone of the lower leg.
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Femur. This is the thighbone or upper leg bone.
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Patella. This is the kneecap.
Each bone end is covered with a layer of cartilage that absorbs shock and protects the knee. Basically, the knee is 2 long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
There are 2 groups of muscles involved in the knee, including the quadriceps muscles , which straighten the legs, and the hamstring muscles , which bend the leg at the knee.
Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Some ligaments on the knee provide stability and protection of the joints, while other ligaments limit forward and backward movement of the tibia .
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Pressing On The Knee Doesnt Hurt
If youre unable to increase your pain level by touching or pushing on your knee, the source of the pain may actually be caused by problems elsewhere in the body. For example, sciatica a condition in which a disc in the lower back presses on a nerve can cause pain down the leg and through the knee. Hip injuries may also cause knee pain. So if you push around in your knee and it doesnt hurt, consult a doctor to figure out whats really going on.
Consequences Of Not Going To A Doctor When You Should
Unfortunately, too many patients shrug off their injury and do not visit their doctor. This can lead to a poorly structured repair of soft tissue, like ligaments or tendons, or improper fusion of bone if there is a fracture. Of course, simple diagnostic imaging can help your orthopedic surgeon visualize the problem, and ultimately avoid this situation.
In the end though, it is better to be safer than sorry. Working through the pain and ignoring it for months or even years only limits your lifestyle and pushes you closer to significant problems and even a knee replacement. Instead, speak to your primary care provider or your orthopedic surgeon to get a proper diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
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Summary Of Knee Conditions That Cause Pain When Bent
Knee pain is a common problem that can have a variety of causes. In most cases, the pain is due to overuse, knee osteoarthritis, or injury and will resolve with rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication. However, there are some occasions when knee pain may be a sign of a more serious problem and the knee pain requires further evaluation of the patient by a primary care doctor or orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knee injuries such as those caused by forceful impact, but also things like osteoarthritis, severe pain, limited range of motion.
Your Primary Care Doctor Has Recommended You See A Spine Specialist
If youre like most people, when you first develop a medical concern, you make an appointment with your primary care doctor. And this is a good first step. Your primary care physician can perform a physical exam, order imaging studies, and diagnose and treat sciatica. But if your case is more complex, you may be referred to a spine surgeon. Keep in mind, seeing a surgeon doesnt mean you will definitely require surgery. Its just the next step in the process of finding the best treatment plan for you.
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Who Do I See If I Have A Knee Problem
Knee injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, overuse, arthritis, and obesity. While many knee problems can be treated with self-care measures such as rest, ice, and elevation, some may require medical attention. If you are experiencing knee injuries, knee pain, swelling, or stiffness, you may want to see a doctor or orthopedic specialist. He or she will likely ask about your medical history and symptoms and perform a physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans may also be ordered to help diagnosis the problem. Once a diagnosis is made, proper treatment options will be discussed. In many cases, conservative measures such as physical therapy and weight loss can be successful in treating knee problems and help to relieve pain. However, surgery may be necessary in some cases.
Expert Knee Doctor In San Antonio Texas
At the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, were here to help you with all your orthopedic care needs. We have a team of expert orthopedic surgeons on board to give you the best care. Rest assured that we will help you find a sustainable solution for your knee pain.
Ready to say goodbye to your knee pain? Reach us today at 692-7400 or use our convenient online appointment request form.
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Reasons To See A Doctor For Knee Pain
Not everyone will need to see a doctor for knee pain because the truth is, nearly everyones knees will give them some sort of trouble eventually, and most athletes will experience some knee pain from time to time. So when knee pain occurs, it can be difficult to know whether the problem will resolve itself. Here are 6 warning signs that may indicate a more serious knee injury and warrant a trip to the doctor.
Board Certification And Strong Educational Background
Consider the doctors board certification. The best knee pain doctors are board-certified in the field of pain management. This denotes that theyve gone through advanced residencies and fellowships, which makes them far more experienced than regular knee pain doctors. You should also consider the knee pain doctors education background and go for doctors who have graduated from Ivy League universities or those of equivalent stature.
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Focus On Minimally Invasive Knee Pain Treatments
Finally, its important that your knee pain doctor focuses primarily on minimally invasive treatments rather than complex surgeries or narcotics. Some of the best knee pain treatments include steroid injections, viscosupplementation, genicular nerve block, and genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation. These are all minimally invasive treatments with a negligible risk of side effects and they can provide long term relief from the actual root cause of knee pain.
How To Get Moving
Within the first 24 to 48 hours after your knee problem has started you should try to:
- reduce your activities but move as much as your symptoms allow
- put your leg in an elevated position, when resting
- move your knee gently for 10 to 20 seconds every hour when you’re awake
- avoid long periods on your feet
When using stairs it may help to:
- lead with your good leg when going upstairs to reduce the strain on your knee
- lead with your problem leg when going downstairs to reduce the strain on your knee
- use a handrail when going up and downstairs
After 48 hours:
- try to use your leg more – exercise really helps your knee and can relieve pain
- do whatever you normally would and stay at, or return to work – this is important and is the best way to get better
It’s beneficial to do specific exercises that can help in your recovery. They may be challenging at the beginning so just do what you can and try to build it up over time.
Keeping active’s the single best thing you can do for your general health.
Being physically active can:
- maintain your current levels of fitness even if you have to modify what you normally do, any activity is better than none
- keep your other muscles and joints strong and flexible
- prevent a recurrence of the problem
Avoid sports or heavy lifting until you have less discomfort and good movement. Remember to warm up fully before you start sporting activities.
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When To See A Knee Doctor For Knee Pain
Patients can usually manage knee pain resulting from a more strenuous activity than usual at home. After all, there are a lot of home remedies to help ease knee pain. However, if you find that resting or icing doesnt help improve your pain, is it time to call a knee doctor? Yes!
It can be difficult to determine whether you need a doctors help when dealing with knee pain. To help you answer this question, heres a simple guide.
Signs You Should See A Doctor About Your Knee Pain
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You may deal with little aches and pains fairly often, especially if you live an active life or work on your feet. You probably postpone seeing a doctor about this discomfort, deciding that if you wait for a little while the sensation will subside.
Sometimes, this theory holds true, but what about the cases where it doesnt? In this blog, we list 10 warning signs that justify a trip to your doctor or an orthopedic surgeon to talk about knee pain.
1. Deformity of the Joint
Look at your knees next to each other. If your affected knee appears misshapen compared to your healthy knee, you may have a fracture, dislocated knee cap, or patella injury.
2. Difficulty Walking
When your knee pain progresses enough to give you a limp or make you avoid walking, see a doctor. Pain of this intensity can indicate a bone injury or a degenerative condition.
3. Inability to Hold Weight
When you stand up, do you feel the need to shift your weight away from your bad knee? If your affected knee cannot hold your weight, seek help. This symptom can indicate a range of knee conditions, all of which require medical care to address.
4. Knee Instability
If you notice that your knee wobbles or feels like it will collapse, seek medical help. Generally, joint instability indicates a ligament problem, which may become worse if you continue using your knee as usual.
5. Less Sensation in the Knee
6. Long-Term Pain or Discomfort
7. Pain That Affects Your Daily Activities
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Potential Causes For Knee Pain
Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is frequently seen in the knees. It is generally a result of wear and tear and age. Women 55 and older are more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis than men. Osteoarthritis can also be the result of genetics and is seen in patients who are overweight. Furthermore, it is more likely to occur in those constantly lifting heavy weights or athletes who have had knee injuries.
Treatment for osteoarthritis focuses on reducing pain and regaining mobility. If the patient is overweight, your doctor may first recommend weight loss. Exercise will also help strengthen the joint. Your doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or recommend injections or a brace. We believe in conservative treatment, so while Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates has some of the most qualified and experienced doctors in the region, surgery is usually a last resort. There is no need to operate if, for example, the knee responds well to physical therapy and corticosteroid injection.
Knee Effusion
A knee effusion occurs when fluid increases in the tissues surrounding the joint. It can happen to any joint but is particularly common in the knee. A knee effusion can result from anything that injures or inflames the knee. Knee effusions are often seen in those with arthritis . Gout can also cause knee effusion.
ACL Strain or Tear
Meniscus Tear
Knee Bursitis
Patellar Tendonitis
What Kind Of Doctor Should I See For Knee Pain When Bending
In general, the best type of doctor to see for knee pain is someone who specializes in knee injuries, also known as a knee doctor. This is usually an orthopedic doctor, orthopedic surgeons, or orthopedic specialists. If the pain is a result of playing sports or being active, you may want to see a sports medicine doctor. In some cases, it is difficult to get in to see an orthopedic doctor or a sports medicine specialist, but you may be able to get an appointment with your primary care doctor.
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