Knee Pain Doctor PG County, MD

Anyone who has dealt with knee pain can attest to how painful and debilitating it can be. Never ignore knee pain. Knees are meant to help us bear the shock and weight when we move and if it can’t do this without causing pain, then something is definitely wrong. Ignoring knee pain can actually make it worse.

You should never assume you know why your pain is hurting, either. In order to successfully treat the pain, it is important to get a diagnosis by a knee pain doctor. Traumatic knee pain, caused by an injury or fall, may be easier to diagnose than a non-traumatic injury. A non-traumatic injury is usually caused by a build up of something, such as a repetitive movement that a person does over and over again, or it can be caused by too much weight.

One of the most common causes of knee pain is due to inflammation of tissues in the knee. If knee tissue becomes torn or strained, it can become inflamed. Inflammation can also occur if cartilage is worn away, causing bone-on-bone friction.

A popular way of treating knee inflammation is using the RICE method. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the knee two to three times a day will often help reduce the knee inflammation.

• Resting the knee will give it a break from the activity or situation that is causing the inflammation.
• Icing the knee for 15 minutes at a time a few times a day restricts the blood flow and reduces the inflammation. The ice also helps relieve the pain by numbing the area.
• Compression of the knee with a bandage or tight wrap causes the restriction of any excess flow of blood and any heat in the inflamed area.
• Elevation of the knee above the heart increases blood flow back to the heart. This removes excess blood from the area and lets it circulate faster, which helps healing.

An anti-inflammatory or over-the-counter pain reliever may also be recommended by your knee doctor, as well.

If you have not experienced knee trauma, but have pain for more than a two-week period, consider contacting a knee pain doctor. If you have experienced knee trauma and have difficulty putting weight on your knee or heard a crack or pop when injured, you should consult with a knee doctor right away.

Possible Culprits of Knee Pain

A knee pain doctor PG County, MD relies on will ask your symptoms, examine how you are moving, and order diagnostic testing if necessary, in order to determine what is causing your knee pain and what the best course of treatment is. The following are some of the most common causes of knee pain:

• Bone or cartilage: Symptoms that the pain is caused by issues with bone or cartilage include knee getting stuck in certain positions, blocked range of motion, locking or catching sensation, difficulty bending or straightening the knee.
• Bursa: Pain gets worse with activity.
• Ligaments: Instability of the knee, feeling as if it will give out.
• Muscles: Pain located above or below the joint of the knee
• Nerves: Knee pain without instability or swelling could indicate compression of nerves.
• Tendons: There is minimal or no pain when the knee is at rest or low activity, but pain increases as the activity level increases.

Contact Pain Arthritis Relief Center for their insight into chiropractic care and knee pain.