Knee Pain Specialist

What is knee pain?

Knee pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that affects people of all ages, from children to senior citizens. Sometimes knee pain is the result of an injury such as torn cartilage or a ruptured ligament. Other times, it’s the result of a medical condition such as arthritis, gout, or an infection. 

Most knee pain responds to conservative, at-home measures of treatment such as ice, rest, and elevation. However, if your symptoms persist for more than a week or they interfere with your quality of life, make an appointment with the team at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine. 

What are the symptoms of knee pain?

The symptoms of knee pain depend on the location and severity of the underlying problem. However, telltale signs of knee pain include: 

• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Instability
• Weakness
• Inability to put weight on your knee

If you’re suffering from knee pain, you might also experience crunching or popping noises every time you bend or try to straighten your knee.

What causes knee pain?

Your knee joints are incredibly tough and hard-working, but they aren’t invincible. Common causes of knee pain include: 

• ACL injuries
• Fractures
• Torn meniscus
• Knee bursitis
• Dislocated kneecap
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout

You might also experience knee pain as a result of a loose body. If cartilage or bone in your knee joint deteriorates, it can break off and float in the joint space which may interfere with your knee’s movement, causing pain and swelling. 

How is knee pain diagnosed?

To diagnose knee pain, the team at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine inspects your knee for swelling, bruising, warmth, and tenderness. Next, they carefully push and pull on your affected knee joint to evaluate the integrity of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your knee. 

The team also checks to see how far you can move your leg in different directions. If these tests don’t provide adequate information, the team might also order a series of X-rays or an MRI. 

How do you treat knee pain?

Treatment for knee pain depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. However, the team uses conservative, integrative measures of care whenever possible. 

If you’re suffering from mild knee pain, you might benefit from lifestyle changes such as exercise modifications and losing weight. If you have a more serious injury, physical therapy or bracing may be necessary. To treat severe knee pain, the team might recommend orthopaedic surgery. 

If knee pain is keeping you sidelined, take action today. Make an appointment at New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool.