The Jackson Clinic

Knee pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many causes. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause.

Symptoms

When do you need to call your doctor about your knee pain?

If you are unsure of the cause of your symptoms, or if you do not know the specific treatment recommendations for your condition, you should seek medical attention. Some signs that you should be seen by a doctor include:

Inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
Injury that causes deformity around the joint
Knee pain that occurs at night or while resting
Knee pain that persists beyond a few days
Locking (inability to bend) the knee
Swelling of the joint or the calf area
Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth
Any other unusual symptoms

Common Causes

Arthritis is among the most common causes of knee pain, and there are many treatments available.

Ligament injuries commonly occur during athletic activities and can cause discomfort and instability.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury

Cartilage tears are seen in young and old patients alike, and are also an extremely common cause of knee pain.

Tendonitis around the joint is most commonly of the patellar tendon, the large tendon over the front of the knee.

Chondromalacia causes knee pain under the kneecap and is due to softening of the cartilage. It is most common in younger patients (15-35 years old).

A dislocating kneecap causes acute symptoms during the dislocation, but can also lead to chronic knee pain.

A Baker's cyst is swelling in the back of the joint, and is usually a sign of another underlying problem such as a meniscus tear.

The most common bursa affected around the joint is just above the kneecap. This is most common in people who kneel for work, such as gardeners or carpetlayers.

Plica syndrome is an uncommon cause of knee pain, and can be difficult to diagnose. The diagnosis is usually made at the time of arthroscopy.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition seen in adolescents and is due to irritation of the growth plate just at the front of the joint.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is another condition seen in adolescents due to the growth of the bone around the joint.

Gout is an uncommon cause of knee pain. However, in patients who have a diagnosis of gout, it must be considered as a cause for new onset knee pain.

Treatment

Treatment of knee pain must be directed at the specific cause of your problem. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you understand the cause of your symptoms before embarking on a treatment program. If you are unsure of your diagnosis, or the severity of your condition, you should seek medical advice before beginning any treatment plan.

Below are some common treatments for knee pain, some of which can be done on your own at home. Not all of these treatments are appropriate for every condition, but may be helpful in your situation in relieving pain. Our orthpedic providers will help determine the best treatment plan for your specific circumstances.

Rest

The first treatment for most common conditions that cause knee pain is to rest the joint, and allow the acute inflammation to subside. Often this is the only step needed to relieve knee pain. If the symptoms are severe, crutches may be helpful as well.

Ice and Heat Application

Ice packs and heating pads are among the most commonly used treatments for knee pain. So which one is the right one to use, ice or heat? And how long should the ice or heat treatments last? Read on for more information about ice and heat treatment.

Stretching

Stretching the muscles and tendons that surround the joint can help with some causes of knee pain. A good routine should be established, and following some specific suggestions will help you on your way.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an important aspect of treatment of almost all orthopedic conditions. Physical therapists use different techniques to increase strength, regain mobility, and help return patients to their pre-injury level of activity.

Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, commonly referred to as NSAIDs, are some of the most commonly prescribed medications, especially for patients with knee pain caused by problems such as arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis.

Cortisone Injections

Cortisone is a powerful medication that treats inflammation, and inflammation is a common problem in patients with knee pain. Discuss with your doctor the possible benefits of a cortisone injection for your condition.

Knee Replacement Surgery

When chronic knee pain becomes untreatable by medication, and interferes with doing the things you love, your doctor may suggest knee replacement surgery as an option for long-term relief.

Our highly skilled physicians are using state-of-the-art procedures to substantially improve your quality of life after knee replacement surgery; every surgery is tailored to the individual, with surgical guides and instruments that are designed for the shapes and contours of your knee.