Causes of Knee Pain
The following are the common causes of knee pain:
- Trauma
- Infection
- Metabolic problems
- Degenerative disorders
- Connective tissue disorders
Diagnosis of Knee Pain
During the diagnosis of knee pain, doctors may perform tests to determine the direct cause of any knee pain. A diagnosis may be reached by inquiring the following from the patient:
- How severe is the pain?
- When and how did the pain begin?
- Is the pain linked to any injury?
- Have you had any treatment so far?
- What worsens the pain and what makes it feel better?
- Has it occurred before?
- How has the pain changed over time?
The following imaging tests may also be ordered by the doctor to confirm the diagnosis:
- X-rays
- Computerized tomography (CT)
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- What worsens the pain and what makes it feel better?
- Has it occurred before?
- How has the pain changed over time?
Treatment of Knee Pain
Medication – Your doctor may prescribe medications that could help relieve pain and treat the conditions causing the knee pain.
Physical Therapy – The doctor may recommend physical therapy that will help in strengthening the muscles around the knee to make it more stable. A physical therapist will design an individualized program based on the need of the specific condition that is causing your pain.
Injections – In some situations, the doctor might advise injections into a joint
Surgery – Doctors recommend that if you have an injury that may necessitate surgery, usually the procedure does not have to be performed immediately. The pros and cons of both nonsurgical rehabilitation and surgical reconstruction must be considered so as to determine which one is suitable for you.
Options for knee pain surgery depending on the severity of any disease include:
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Total knee replacement
- Partial knee replacement surgery
