Knee pain may occur due to a sudden injury, an overuse injury, or by an underlying issue, such as arthritis. The treatment will differ depending on the cause. The symptoms of knee injury may include inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides treatments for the knee and shoulder to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.
Causes of Knee Pain
One of the best things that a person can do for their joints and overall health is being active. However, injuries can occur, and they commonly involve the knees.
Some common issues include meniscus tears, sprained ligaments, runner’s knee, and tendinitis. In case the patient has an old knee injury that was not properly treated, it may flare up sometimes or hurt persistently.
Knee pain may occur due to various reasons, such as:
Bursitis
A bursa refers to a sac that holds a tiny amount of fluid that is beneath the skin above the joint. Repetitive bending and kneeling, overuse, and falls can cause irritation to the bursa on top of the kneecap. This can cause inflammation and pain.
Dislocated Kneecap
This means that the kneecap slides out of position, leading to inflammation and pain in the knee. The doctor may refer to this condition as “patellar dislocation.”
IT (Iliotibial) Band Syndrome
The iliotibial (IT) band is a fragment of tough tissue that extends from the hip down to the outer portion of the knee. Upon overdoing an activity, it can become swollen over time.
Meniscal Tear
At times, a knee injury can cause the cartilage to tear. These rough edges may get stuck in the joint leading to inflammation and pain. Many people with a meniscal tear report a “catching” sensation in the joint when they are active.
Knee Injury: Things To Do For Pain Relief
The treatment plan will depend on the specific injury. Mild to moderate problems will usually resolve by themselves. To expedite the healing, the patient can:
Rest your knee. Take some days of vigorous activity.
Ice it to relieve pain and Inflammation. Do it for 15 to 20 minutes every three to four hours, and continue for two to three days until the pain is relieved.
Compress the knee. Use elastic straps, bandages, or sleeves to wrap the joint as this will relieve the inflammation and provide support.
Elevate the knee. Raise the knee by placing a pillow beneath the heel when sitting or lying down to help reduce the inflammation.
Take anti-inflammatory drugs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen, help with the pain and inflammation. Follow the guidelines on the label. These medications can have side effects. Therefore, the patient should only use them infrequently unless the doctor advises otherwise.
Practice strengthening and stretching exercises if the doctor recommends it. The patient may also require physical therapy.
Some individuals with knee pain require more help. For example, in case the patient is diagnosed with bursitis, the doctor may need to take out the extra fluid from the bursa in the knee.
Arthritis patient may need an occasional corticosteroid injection to reduce the swelling. Patients with torn ligaments or specific knee injuries may need surgery.
Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery and other procedures.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board-certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. Contact the office today click here.
Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada.