The common complaint of knee pain impacts people of all ages. Knee pain may result from an injury, such as torn cartilage or a ruptured ligament. Medical conditions, including gout, arthritis, and infections, can lead to knee pain as well.
Various types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Knee braces and physical therapy can relieve knee pain as well. However, the knee may require surgical repair in some cases.
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.
Treatment
The treatments will differ based on the reason for the knee pain.
Medications
The doctor may prescribe drugs to help relieve pain and to address underlying conditions, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Therapy
The knee will become more stable if the muscles around it are strengthened. The doctor may recommend different types of strengthening exercises based on the exact condition that is leading to pain.
Injections
Sometimes the doctor may recommend injecting drugs or other substances directly into the joint. The examples include the following:
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid injections into the knee joint may help reduce the symptoms of an arthritis flare and offer pain relief that may last for a few months. These injections are not effective in all cases.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a thick fluid which is similar to the fluid that naturally lubricates joints. HA can be injected into the knee to improve mobility and relieve pain. Study results about the effectiveness of this treatment have been mixed. The relief from a single series of shots may sustain for as long as six months.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
PRP comprises a concentration on various growth factors that appear to decrease swelling and promote healing. These injections tend to be more effective for people whose knee pain develops dues to sprains, injury, or tendon tears.
Surgery
In case the patient has an injury that necessitates surgery, it is not typically necessary to undergo the surgery right away. Prior to making any decision, the patient should evaluate the benefits and limitations of non-surgical rehabilitation in relation to what is more important to them. In case the patient chooses to undergo surgery, their options may include:
Arthroscopic Surgery
Depending on the patient’s injury, the doctor may be able to assess and repair the joint using a fiber-optic camera and long, narrow tools that they will insert through only a few tiny incisions around the knee.
Arthroscopy may be used to eliminate loose bodies from the knee joint, eliminate or repair damaged cartilage (specifically if it is causing the knee to lock), and reconstruct torn ligaments.
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
This procedure involves the replacement of only the most damaged portion of the knee with parts made of plastic and metal. The surgery can typically be undertaken through tiny incisions. This enables the patient to heal faster than they would if their entire knee were replaced.
Total Knee Replacement
In this procedure, the surgeon excises damaged bone and cartilage from the shinbone, kneecap, and thighbone and replaces it with an artificial joint manufactured from metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers.
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.