Has the knee pain in either or both of your knees have you missing out on some of your favorite activities? If this is the case, you are not alone. Many people struggle with chronic knee pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, most people have just accepted that it is part of the aging process or are paying for the “wear and tear” of
past sport’s injuries or the toll of a repetitive career activity.
Now ask yourself. If you could find a solution that did not have you taking pain relief medication or just accepting the pain as part of life would you take it? The answer is of course; so read on.
First the Cause of Knee Pain
First, we must understand that there are a variety of causes for the knee pain inclusive of injury, overuse, or underlying conditions like arthritis. For the best recommendation of treatment, the cause of the pain must be determined to not only help eliminate the symptoms of stiffness and inflammation but to begin the restoration process.
Here are some common diagnoses:
- Arthritis – tends to be the most widespread cause of knee pain and there is a selection of treatments on offer.
- Ligament Injuries – These can be caused or exacerbated by sports or athletic activities leading to discomfort and instability.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury
- Cartilage Injuries | Meniscal Tear – This is a common knee pain cause in young and old.
- Patellar Tendonitis – Tendonitis around the joint is most commonly of the patellar tendon, the large tendon over the front of the knee.
- Chondromalacia Patella – Chondromalacia is a softening of the cartilage which leads to under the kneecap, this is common among the 15-35-year-old age group.
- Dislocating Kneecap – This causes acute symptoms during the dislocation, but can also lead to chronic knee pain.
- Baker’s Cyst – This is a swelling in the rear of the joint, and is usually a sign of another underlying problem such as a meniscus tear.
- Bursitis – The most common bursa affected around the joint is that just above the kneecap, commonly this is found in people that kneel during their work.
- Plica Syndrome – This is an uncommon cause of knee pain and can be tricky to diagnose, diagnosis is usually made at the time of arthroscopy.
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease – This is a condition seen in adolescents and is due to irritation of the growth plate just at the front of the joint.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans – (OCD) is another condition seen in adolescents due to the growth of the bone around the joint.
- Gout – This is not a common cause of knee pain, but patients with a history of this condition may find it is the cause of the knee pain.
Next The First Pain-Free Step
Call today to make an appointment with our office to take the best first step in returning you back to the activities you love.
Our team will run thorough examinations to help find the cause of your discomfort and set you on the best path for getting you back into life without knee pain!
For Your Health,
Dr. Robert Ringston