This article is part of the Ultimate Guide to Knee Pain Relief.
As we move throughout the day, our knees can suffer from the impact and pressure taken on by walking, running, squatting and jumping. A painful knee can disrupt your daily activity and lifestyle.
Knee pain can arise from an injury or underlying condition. If your knee pain lasts for more than a few days, it should not be ignored. Learn about some of the most common reasons for knee pain and how they are typically treated.
What is Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
Osteoarthritis is categorized as a non-inflammatory arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a breakdown (degeneration) of the joint surface cartilage and articular cartilage caused mostly from repeated microtrauma over a length of time.
Generally speaking, degeneration from osteoarthritis takes years to develop, but sometimes it can have a more rapid and progressive nature over months. Often the degeneration is unnoticeable until it hits a critical period when the joint no longer has a smooth motion and movement becomes painful.
A patient may have either primary or secondary osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis is caused by a degenerative process of the joint. It is considered a wear and tear process, whereas secondary osteoarthritis results from a prior injury, such as a fracture. Both have a joint surface and articular cartilage degeneration origins.
How is Osteoarthritis treated?
The main goal of the treatment for osteoarthritis is to decrease pain and improve the activities of daily living. Everyone has specific goals. The initial treatment may be over-the-counter medication or prescription medication with an exercise program or physical therapy. It may require draining the knee and injecting steroids. Patients should discuss with their doctor the possible benefits of “gel” injections. The OrthoHealth program to help lose weight and optimize metabolic health may also be recommended.
Additionally, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) there are ongoing efforts underway to develop surgical techniques to help restore articular cartilage by stimulating the growth of new cartilage. Restoring articular cartilage can relieve pain, allow better function, and delay or prevent the onset of arthritis. These techniques continue to advance the treatment of joint injuries, and doctors are learning more every day about cartilage and its healing response. Ultimately, if conservative treatments fail, a joint replacement may be recommended.
Unfortunately, the joint surface does not heal when it is damaged or wears down. When the degeneration starts, it cannot be reversed. But with the treatment methods listed above, often the degeneration can be slowed and made more tolerable.
How often should a patient be seen for osteoarthritis?
After your initial treatment program has been planned, a return visit is often scheduled within four to six weeks for monitoring. If your symptoms improve, your follow-up appointments for monitoring will be spaced out longer. Repeat injections are spaced no sooner than four months for steroids and six months for ‘gel’ injections.
While not everyone will develop osteoarthritis, you can still take precaution to try to minimize your chance of developing it by maintaining an ideal weight and staying active.
Any sudden pain and swelling of the knee joint without an injury needs to be assessed to determine if it is from osteoarthritis or from other inflammatory arthritides. Common inflammatory arthritides include; infection, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, other auto-immune diseases and other causes. In addition, red and painful swelling over the knee cap may be bursitis, another cause of knee pain.
Other Common Causes of Knee Pain
Other common causes of knee pain may be from injury or overuse strain. An acute injury may be painful with immediate or delayed swelling. Overuse pain may take a day or weeks to fully develop.
Your history of the mechanism of injury or strain will help to determine the problem. Expect an exam of the knee with X-rays and other diagnostic testing to reach a diagnosis. The treatment plan will vary as to your symptoms, presentation and expectations. Everyone is different and every knee pain is specific to you and your lifestyle.
Common Causes of Knee Pain FAQ
When should I see a doctor for my knee pain?
In the absence of trauma/injury or swelling of the knee if the pain does not reside after a few days and your activity is affected then schedule online to be seen. After a week if you have no improvement then you should be seen.
Are there any home remedies to treat knee pain?
It is difficult to recommend any home remedies to treat knee pain without knowing the cause. In general apply the R.I.C.E. principle; rest, ice, compression and elevation. Over-the-counter medication may also help with the pain.
What are common treatments for overuse injury of the knee?
The obvious first thing to do is avoid the activity that is causing the pain. Use the R.I.C.E. principle. Start a stretching program. Motion is good for your joints. Continued discomfort should not be ignored.
What are some examples of an acute injury?
Acute injury is associated with a definable event that causes discomfort. It may be a sports injury, a fall from any height (stair or ladder etc.), or a twisting event with near immediate discomfort or pain.
Acute onset of pain may be from injury but also may be insidious over a short period of time as is seen with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. When your symptoms have been ongoing for 6 weeks, it is considered chronic. Though chronic pain can have acute episodes necessitating a visit to the doctor.
No matter the cause of your knee pain, it’s important to remember to seek help from an orthopedic physician if the pain persists. IBJI’s knee physicians are ready to help assess, diagnose and treat your knee pain so you can get on the path to recovery.
Get Relief from Your Knee Pain Today
Knee Care and Treatment at IBJI
Whether you are just starting out in your knee care journey or battling chronic knee pain, IBJI’s knee surgeons are here to help provide you with the necessary care for your ailment. Get the relief you are seeking with the help of IBJI.
Schedule online with an IBJI knee surgeon to discuss treatment options and create an individualized approach to your care.
Check out IBJI’s additional online resources for knee care to learn more about conditions and read patient testimonials.
Schedule online with a Knee Doctor →
*This content is for information only and is not intended to replace the diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice from your treating healthcare professionals. The content does not provide medical advice, does not constitute the practice of medicine or other healthcare professional services, and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. You should not rely on this information as a substitute, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns or questions, seek the advice of your healthcare professionals. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Do not rely on electronic communications or communicate through this website for immediate, urgent medical needs. This website is not designed to facilitate medical emergencies. The use of the information is at the reader’s own risk. The links are provided for information and convenience only. We cannot accept responsibility for the sites linked or the information found here. A link does not imply an endorsement of a site.
