People of all ages commonly complain about knee pain, which may result from arthritis, injury or overuse. It can make daily activities harder, affect how you move and lower your quality of life. Luckily, there are a variety of treatment options available to help manage and alleviate knee pain, ranging from conservative approaches to advanced medical treatments.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain can come from many different problems. Finding the main cause is important for getting the best treatment. Here are a few of the most common causes:
- Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis where the knee joint’s cartilage breaks down over time. This results in pain, stiffness and swelling, particularly after periods of inactivity or excessive use.
- Injuries: Knee injuries like torn ligaments (such as the ACL or MCL), meniscus tears and fractures can lead to acute or chronic pain. These injuries are common among athletes, but anyone can be affected, especially after accidents or falls.
- Patellar tendinitis: Also known as “jumper’s knee,” this condition involves inflammation of the tendons that connect the kneecap to the shinbone. It’s often caused by overuse, especially in sports or activities that involve jumping or running.
- Bursitis: Bursitis occurs when the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the knee joint become inflamed, leading to pain and swelling. This often happens due to repetitive movements or prolonged kneeling.
- Gout and pseudogout are types of arthritis. Gout happens when uric acid builds up in the joints. Pseudogout occurs due to calcium crystals in the joints. Both conditions cause sudden and severe pain, redness and swelling in the knee.
Conservative Treatment Options for Knee Pain
For many people, knee pain can be effectively managed with conservative treatments. These non-invasive options should be the first line of defense when dealing with knee discomfort:
- Physical therapy: A structured physical therapy program can help strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve flexibility and alleviate pain. Physical therapists can also guide patients through specific exercises that protect the knee from future injury while increasing strength and stability.
- Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE): This tried-and-true method is particularly useful for acute knee injuries. Resting the knee, applying ice to reduce swelling, using compression bandages and keeping the knee elevated can help minimize pain and inflammation.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for reducing the strain on your knees. Every extra pound adds pressure to the knee joint, so losing weight can significantly reduce knee pain for those who are overweight or obese.
- Bracing and Orthotics: Wearing knee braces or using special shoe inserts can offer extra support and help realign the knee, especially for those with arthritis or joint problems.
Medications and Injection-Based Therapies
If conservative treatments don’t provide sufficient relief, medications and injections are often the next step in managing knee pain:
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. For more severe cases, stronger prescription NSAIDs may be necessary.
- Cortisone Injections: Cortisone shots are a common treatment for knee pain caused by inflammation. These injections can provide rapid relief from pain and swelling, although they are typically used sparingly due to potential long-term side effects with frequent use.
- Synvisc-One Injections: Synvisc-One is an FDA-approved treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. It is a hyaluronic acid injection that mimics the natural joint fluid, acting as a lubricant and shock absorber. This treatment is particularly effective for patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis who are looking for non-surgical pain relief.
- Trigger Point Injections: Knee pain is sometimes linked to tight muscles and trigger points. These injections are used to relax painful knots in the muscles, reducing tension around the knee and easing any related discomfort.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: A newer treatment option, PRP involves injecting a concentration of the patient’s own platelets into the affected area to stimulate healing. This treatment shows promise for managing knee injuries and osteoarthritis, particularly for patients looking to avoid surgery.
Surgical Interventions
When non-invasive treatments and injections do not help, surgery may be needed. This can fix structural problems or repair damage.
- Arthroscopy: This minimally invasive surgery allows doctors to diagnose and treat problems within the knee, such as removing or repairing damaged cartilage. Doctors commonly use arthroscopy for meniscus tears and other structural problems.
- Partial or Total Knee Replacement: For patients with advanced osteoarthritis or significant injury, knee replacement surgery might be the best option. A partial knee replacement involves replacing only the damaged part of the joint, while a total knee replacement replaces the entire knee with artificial components.
Knee Pain and Hip Pain: A Common Connection
The knee and hip are closely connected, both structurally and functionally. Issues with the hip, such as arthritis or weakened muscles surrounding the hip joint, can alter your gait. This change puts extra stress on your knee, and this misalignment can lead to knee pain or worsen existing knee problems.
Similarly, knee pain can affect your movement, potentially leading to pain in the hip from overuse. For example, if you favor one leg because of knee pain, you may put extra strain on your hip. This could lead to discomfort.
What to Keep in Mind:
- Pay attention to changes in how you walk: If you notice limping, stiffness or uneven weight distribution, both your knees and hips may be involved.
- Strengthening both hip and knee muscles: Exercises that focus on the hip (such as hip bridges or clamshells) can help stabilize your knee, while knee-strengthening exercises will support better alignment overall.
- Whole-body alignment: When addressing chronic knee pain, it’s essential to consider your hips and lower back as part of the bigger picture.
If you experience persistent pain in either joint, it may be beneficial to evaluate the other. Addressing one joint while ignoring the other may lead to incomplete recovery.
Take Action for Knee Pain Relief with Innovative Therapies
At Access HealthCare, we specialize in diagnosing and treating knee pain, whether it’s caused by sports injuries, overuse or arthritis. Our sports medicine team offers a comprehensive approach, starting with conservative treatments like physical therapy and bracing. For more advanced cases, we provide innovative therapies such as Synvisc-One injections to lubricate and cushion the knee joint and trigger point injections to relieve muscle tension that could be contributing to knee pain.
Our goal is to help you achieve long-lasting relief without the need for surgery unless absolutely necessary.
📞 Call us today at 434.316.7199 to schedule a consultation or visit our website to learn more about our sports medicine services and treatment options.