Knee Pain

Why does my knee hurt?

Knee pain can come from any part of your knee, including the:

• Tibiofemoral joint
• Patella
• Muscles surrounding the knee
• Ligaments inside and surrounding your knee
• Patellar and iliotibial (IT) band tendons
• Menisci
• Bursa

There are many common triggers of knee pain, such as trauma, chronic wear and tear, and repetitive movements. 

Your knee has multiple structures necessary for proper joint support, and if one or more of these structures is compromised, it can lead to widespread pain and dysfunction throughout your knee.

Different conditions can affect the structures of your knee and cause knee pain, including:

• Patellar or IT band tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Muscle tears or strains
• Chondromalacia patella
• Arthritis
• Meniscus tears
• Ligament tears
• Osgood-Schlatter disease

Based on the type and location of the pain, such as stiffness, sharpness, aching, your doctor can pinpoint the possible causes of your discomfort and develop a personalized exam and plan to diagnose and treat your problem.

What are the signs of a knee injury?

You shouldn’t ignore knee injuries since they can lead to abnormal gait, postural issues, and pain in other places, like your hips, lower back, ankles, or feet. You should visit Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine for an evaluation if you have any of these symptoms:

• Stiffness in the joint and decreased range of motion
• Clicking, popping, or locking of your knee joint
• Bruising or swelling
• Tenderness to the touch on or around your knee
• Feeling that your knee might give out or buckle
• Difficulty walking
• Limping

Mild discomfort can also be a sign of an injury that, if left untreated, might become a bigger issue or lead to dysfunction and chronic pain. 

If you have knee pain for more than two or three days, you should have an evaluation and seek treatment options from your Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine doctor.

How is knee pain treated?

To treat your knee pain, your doctor might suggest:

• Physical therapy and rehabilitative exercises
• Bracing or splinting
• Athletic taping
• Hot or cold therapy
• Steroid injections and other joint injections
• Regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Acupuncture and electroacupuncture
• Botox® injections
• Osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT)
• Limited use of medications when necessary

If your knee pain is due to arthritis, you might also benefit from viscosupplementation. During treatment with viscosupplementation, your provider injects hyaluronic acid into your knee. Hyaluronic acid is a thick fluid and helps reduce stiffness and swelling in your joint.

Your doctor helps you decide the best ways to treat your knee pain, reduce inflammation, enhance functioning, and get you feeling better as soon as possible. Book your personal consultation here on the website or call Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine today.