Knee pain can occur due to an injury or health condition like arthritis. While you might rest and elevate your knee for relief and recovery, sometimes you need a more aggressive treatment approach. You should seek treatment for Bayonne knee pain if your knee pain persists after conservative treatment options.
Common conditions that cause knee pain include ligament injury, ACL tears, dislocation, and Baker’s cyst.
What causes knee pain?
There are two significant causes of knee pain: injury and arthritis. Injuries can occur due to a direct blow to the knee, or the surrounding muscles and ligaments can be affected, causing referred pain. To prevent injuries, you should consider protective gear, especially if you play contact sports. Arthritis is a condition that occurs due to aging and the normal wear and tear of the cartilage composition in your joints.
Common symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, inflexibility, and tenderness around the joint. The condition diminishes your ability to walk or move freely and easily perform daily activities. It might lead to weight gain because of limited mobility.
How can you manage osteoarthritis?
Although osteoarthritis causes stiffness and loss of flexibility, you need to try and move the affected joint to achieve a better range of movement. You can start with a short session of manual manipulation to relax your joint and surrounding muscles. Consider walking for a few minutes at different intervals and avoid sitting or standing too long.
Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the pressure and pain in your joints. Eat a balanced diet while avoiding processed foods which can increase inflammation. Drink lots of water and rest whenever necessary to help your body recover.
What are the treatment options for knee pain?
Your doctor can recommend a treatment plan depending on the cause of your knee pain and its severity. To avail suitable treatment, your specialist will perform diagnostic testing to check the damage extent. You can receive medications to help you manage the pain and physical therapy to strengthen your musculoskeletal system.
In severe cases, your doctor can recommend surgery like knee replacement to help you restore movement and knee function. After healing, you should engage in physical therapy to promote a stronger and healthy joint.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor for knee pain when you have tried over-the-counter medications and other conservative treatments without success. The first line of treatment for knee pain includes rest, compression, and elevation. However, these treatments might not work if your knee pain has an underlying cause.
Consider visiting your orthopedic specialist if knee pain is accompanied by tenderness, swelling, heat around the joint, and redness on the leg. If you are experiencing a fever with knee pain, it can be a sign of infection.
If you have severe and persistent knee pain, visit Orange Orthopaedic Associates for treatment. The medical team at the facility will assess your pain and develop a suitable treatment plan. Call or schedule your appointment online to manage pain and improve mobility.
