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Knees have a heavy workload, so pain is a common issue in these joints. If you develop acute or chronic knee pain, visit the Integrated Pain Consultants team at their Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix, Arizona offices. Nikesh Seth, MD, and his team diagnose and treat musculoskeletal knee pain of all types. Call your nearest Integrated Pain Consultants office today or use the online booking form to request a knee pain consultation.
Knee Pain Q & A
What conditions often cause knee pain?
Knees have to work hard, supporting most of your body weight and making repeated movements every day. Not surprisingly, these large joints are prone to injury and painful wear-and-tear.
Acute knee pain is likely to occur during a fall, auto accident, or when playing sports. Common acute knee injuries include:
- Fractured bones
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears
- Meniscus cartilage tears
- Patellar (kneecap) instability
- Dislocations
- Iliotibial (IT) band injuries
Some injuries develop because of repetitive strain or overuse when you make specific movements many times for long periods, causing friction and inflammation. Overuse injuries include bursitis (bursae inflammation), patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee), and patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee).
Chronic knee pain is sometimes caused by these overuse conditions or poorly healed acute injuries. However, the leading cause of long-term knee pain is arthritis.
What kind of arthritis causes knee pain?
Many types of arthritis affect the knees, the most common being osteoarthritis. This is a wear-and-tear condition that has developed over decades.
The cartilage coating the bones in your knee erodes, and the bones become roughened. They catch and rub on one another, and inflammation develops. Chronic pain, stiffness, weakness, and loss of function are all common osteoarthritis symptoms.
Other forms of arthritis that often affect the knees include gout and the autoimmune disorders psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis.
What treatments ease knee pain?
Knee pain treatments vary depending on the pain’s cause and severity. Serious fractures might require surgery, but for most knee problems, conservative treatments are effective. These include physical therapy to keep the joint supple, encourage healing, and build muscle strength.
Rest, anti-inflammatory medication, therapeutic massage, and ice or heat can also help. You may need a brace to support the knee while it heals. Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid injections into the joint) helps treat arthritis by lubricating the stiffened joints.
People whose knee pain doesn’t improve with these treatments might benefit from cortisone injections into the joint. Cortisone is a steroid with potent anti-inflammatory effects that ease knee pain long-term. Nerve blocks containing a local anesthetic provide immediate short-term relief.
Radiofrequency ablation might be necessary for some people. This minimally invasive procedure involves using electrical impulses to destroy the knee’s nerves.
Call Integrated Pain Consultants today or book an appointment online for expert knee pain diagnosis and treatment.