What Are the Causes of Knee Pain?
Some of the common reasons for experiencing knee pain include:
Arthritis
Arthritis is a term for numerous joint diseases that are among the most frequent causes of knee pain.
Ligament injuries
Ligament injuries typically occur during athletic activities. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains are the most likely.
Cartilage injuries
Injuries can affect the articular cartilage covering your bones or the menisci — cartilage wedges in the knee.
Patellar tendonitis
The patellar tendon is the large one at the front of the knee. Tendonitis is inflammation in the tendon.
Chondromalacia patella
Chondromalacia patella, also called runner’s knee, causes pain under the kneecap due to a softening of the cartilage. It’s most common in 15- to 35-year-olds.
Dislocated kneecap
A dislocated kneecap causes acute pain when it happens but can also lead to chronic knee problems.
Baker’s cyst
A Baker’s cyst is a swollen area at the back of the knee. It’s usually a sign of an underlying problem like a meniscus tear.
Bursitis
Knee bursitis (inflammation of the cushioning bursae in the joint) is most common in people who spend a lot of time kneeling, like gardeners.
What Symptoms Occur with Knee Pain?
Knee pain often occurs with other such symptoms as:
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Redness
- Heat in the joint
- Weakness
- Instability
- Popping or crunching noises
You might be unable to fully straighten your knee or bear weight on that leg.
Treating knee pain successfully requires an accurate diagnosis. Your provider at Pain Management of North Dallas, PA, performs a physical examination and might need to look at X-rays or diagnostic imaging scans like a CT or MRI to confirm the cause of your knee pain.
How Is Knee Pain Treated?
Pain Management of North Dallas, PA, uses nonsurgical approaches to treat knee pain. Depending on the cause of your pain and how badly the condition is affecting you, you might benefit from:
- Rest and activity modification
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
- A brace or splint
- Steroid injections
- Genicular nerve blocks
- Hyaluronic acid injections
- Genicular radiofrequency ablation
- Peripheral nerve stimulation
Pain Management of North Dallas, PA, also uses biologic regenerative medicine treatments, including stem cell therapy, to promote healing and relieve your knee pain.
For an accurate diagnosis and treatments that target the source of your knee pain, call Pain Management of North Dallas, PA, today, or book an appointment online.
