Overcoming Knee Pain

If you've been stopped in your tracks by knee pain, you're not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from pain in their knees, and it can be caused by anything from a sports injury to a condition like arthritis.

 

For those 50 and beyond, knee pain can be the result of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, sometimes called "wear and tear arthritis," causes the cartilage that cushions the knee joint to wear away over time, causing pain and stiffness. Eventually, the cartiliage can be worn away so much that the bones in the knee painfully rub against each other. Learn more about osteoarthritis.

 

At first, pain from osteoarthritis can be controlled by over-the-counter medication and lifestyle changes, like getting more exercise. Physical therapy can relieve pain, as can periodic steroid injections. When the pain becomes so intense that it limits everyday activities, it may be time for a joint replacement. 

 

Joint replacement surgery removes the diseased part of the knee and replaces it with an implant that mimics the function of a natural knee. The Joint Replacement Specialists at POA are experts in diagnosing the cause of knee pain and helping you determine if a joint replacement is right for you. Learn more about joint replacement surgery

 

In addition, our joint replacement patients are often enrolled in the award-winning Joint Camp program at St. Francis, which uses pre-surgical education and group therapy to speed recovery time following a joint replacement.

 

 

Sometimes, knee pain is caused by injury to the knee. Common knee injuries include torn ligaments, torn ACLs, and torn meniscus. Conditions like bursitis and tendinitis also can cause knee pain. Learn more about ACL injuries.

 

If your pain is severe enough to require a doctor's care, your doctor will probably order an X-ray or MRI to help determine the exact cause of the pain. After diagnosis, there are several options. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication or order physical therapy to help you build the muscles around your knee. Often, knee injuries require surgery. Most often, minimally-invasive arthroscopy is performed on an outpatient basis. During arthroscopy, your surgeon uses small instruments to look inside the knee and make repairs to delicate tissue. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, your recovery time is faster than a traditional, open surgery. Learn more about arthroscopy.

 

No matter what the cause of your knee pain, you may need a doctor's care to completely eliminate it. You don't need a referral to see an orthopaedic surgeon, so if you're ready to kick your knee pain to the curb, call POA at 864-234-9994 to make an appointment with one of our Joint Replacement orSports Medicine Specialists. They have the expertise it takes to reduce your pain and help you...get movin'!