Gaithersburg MD knee doctorGaithersburg MD Knee Doctor 

The fact is that everyone is at risk for knee pain, but many people are more are more at risk than others and, as a result, may be in need of treatment from a knee doctor. In fact, around 20 million people receive treatment for their knee pain every year in the United States alone. At Pain Arthritis Relief Center, we work to treat the causes of health conditions rather than only focusing on the symptoms. In this way, risk factors can be managed by recognizing them and acting proactively to mitigate those risks. Below is more information about this. We encourage you to make an appointment at our clinic for an exam with a knee doctor if you are suffering from this condition.  

About the Knee and Knee Pain

As a Gaithersburg MD  knee doctor can tell you, the knees are joints and they’re the biggest joints in the body. Knee pain can be sudden as a result of an accident or sports injury. It can also develop over time and become a chronic and painful way of life if not treated. Knee cartilage cushions the knee bones and absorbs the physical impact of walking and other movement but can break down over time. This is one reason why as a person ages, their risk of developing knee pain increases.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

In addition to aging, there are many common causes of knee pain. After an exam by our knee pain doctor, you should have a clearer understanding of the underlying cause for your own knee. Here are some of the most common:

  •         Trauma due to an injury such as a car accident or sporting activity
  •         Infection such as septic bursitis or osteomyelitis, or other medical conditions
  •         Bruising
  •         Fracture of the kneecap, lower femur, or the upper tibia
  •         A torn ligament, such as the medial collateral ligament or the anterior cruciate ligament.
  •         Torn cartilage, such as a meniscus tear
  •         A dislocated kneecap
  •         Arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
  •         Baker’s cyst which is a condition whereby the joint produces an overabundance of fluid and fills a sac in the knee
  •         Bursitis
  •         Chondromalacia patella, which is a softening of the knee cartilage
  •         Gout. More commonly this occurs in the big toe but can also develop in the knee.
  •         Reiter’s syndrome, which is an inflammatory condition which presents with stiffness and swelling of the knee
  •         Osteochondritis dissecans which is a condition caused by cartilage or bone fragments that become detached and subsequently inflame the knee
  •         Osgood-Schlatter disease which usually only develops in children when they enter a rapid growth period
  •         Tendonitis
  •         Synovitis
  •         Abnormal alignment of the legs
  •         Bone tumors

Risk Factors

  •         The single biggest risk factor is age. Wear and tear of the knee joints can cause chronic pain. Limiting activities may be able to reduce this risk factor, but talk to your knee doctor if age is determined to be a factor of your knee pain.
  •         Being overweight. By reducing one’s weight, it can decrease the added stress on the knee.
  •         Overuse of the knee or an injury due to participating in sports activities.
  •         Constant heavy lifting, climbing stairs, kneeling, or standing.

Call a Knee Doctor for Treatment Today

If you’re suffering from knee pain, call Pain Arthritis Relief Center to schedule an exam with a Gaithersburg MD knee doctor who can assess the cause of your condition and offer treatment options.