Knee Pain

Common symptoms of knee pain include:

• Swelling
• Knee Stiffness
• Weakness of the knee
• Popping or crunching noises
• Difficulty in straightening the knee

You should consult an experienced orthopedic doctor immediately if you experience the following:

• If you are unable to extend or flex the knee
• If you notice a marked swelling in the knee
• If you are unable to place weight on your knee
• If you notice a deformity in your leg or knee
• If you have fever along with inflammation, pain and swelling
• If you have severe knee pain associated with an injury

Knee Pain can be a result of several factors. Some of these include:

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries can damage ligaments, tendons or any other soft tissue that surround your knee or the bones, cartilage & ligaments that form the joint itself. Common knee injuries include:

• ACL Injury
• Fractures
• Torn Meniscus
• Knee Bursitis
• Patellar Tendinitis

Arthritis

There are over 100 types of arthritis. Many of these types tend to affect the knee. Common arthritic conditions that affect the knee are:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Septic arthritis

Mechanical Issues

Knee pain also tends to occur in people who have mechanical problems such as illiotibial band syndrome, dislocated kneecap, hip or foot pain.

Factors that can increase one’s risk of knee pain are:

• Being overweight
• Lack of flexibility
• Certain sports like basketball
• Certain jobs that involve repetitive stress on knees
• Previous injuries to the knee

Your orthopaedic surgeon would first conduct a physical exam which would involve checking the knee for pain, inflammation & tenderness. Then he or she would check if you are able to move your leg in different directions. Your doctor will also push or pull the joint to analyse the integrity of the know structure.

Your doctor may also recommend:

• X Ray
• CT Scan
• Ultrasound
• MRI

Treatment depends on the cause of knee pain. Common treatment methods include medications to relieve pain & other symptoms, physiotherapy to strengthen muscles around the knee & improve flexibility & balance.

Your doctor may also recommend injections such as:

• Corticosteroids
• Hyaluronic acid
• PRP

If none of the above methods work, the doctor may recommend surgery. Surgical options include:

• Arthroscopic Surgery
• Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
• Total Knee Replacement
• Osteotomy