Knee Pain

When it comes to knee pain, there are a number of reasons why a person might experience it. Sometimes, injury can occur from a direct force on the knee, like during a car accident or from
getting tackled on the football field. Injury can happen from a hard landing, a fall, or from a quick change in direction.

Causes of knee pain can also be caused by repeated stresses on the joint, repeated movements, or with overuse. There are other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, that can be a source of knee pain, as well.

In some cases, pain may actually travel to your knee from somewhere else – for example, someone with low back pain may also have pain that travels down their leg and stops around
their knee.

The most likely causes of knee pain change with age. Children and adolescents may have knee pain as a result of a growth spurt while adults are more likely to experience knee pain from conditions that result from overuse or sudden forces going through the knee, and older adults are more likely to experience knee pain from conditions like osteoarthritis.

While pain is experienced differently by each person, there are some fairly common words that people can use to help describe what they’re experiencing. If you’re experiencing knee discomfort, you may find yourself using some of the words below to describe it:

• Location: pain can be along the front, outside, inside, or behind the knee
• Pain descriptors:
  • Dull, achey
  • Sharp, shooting
  • Burning
  • Numbness, Tingling
• Other descriptors:
  • Popping
  • Clicking
  • Catching
  • Buckling or Giving Away
  • Grinding
  • Crunching

In some cases, pain can be worse with certain activities or movements. For people who experience osteoarthritis, pain or stiffness can be worse in the morning or following prolonged rest, but it may ease with light walking or movements. While in other cases, pain may be worse with walking, stair climbing, or when straightening or bending the knee. Those experiencing issues with knee stability may have episodes of knee buckling or may feel distrust in their ability to perform certain activities on their affected leg.

That’s why it’s important to see a healthcare provider, like a physician or physical therapist, who can help you determine the possible cause of your pain and can prescribe the right treatment
options for your situation.

Knee pain is often assessed by a healthcare professional like a primary care physician, an orthopedic surgeon, or a physical therapist. In some cases, a healthcare provider may request imaging to help in the diagnostic process. Many of the causes of knee pain can be treated with conservative care, which often involves physical therapy. It may also include medications or injections as prescribed by your physician. In other cases, you may be referred to a specialist, like an orthopedic surgeon, to discuss possible surgical options.

Procedures/Treatments Associated with the Condition:
In many cases, knee pain is first treated with conservative care. Physical therapy is a common first line of treatment. A physician may prescribe medications or other treatments, such as
injections, as well. In instances where physical therapy does not improve symptoms, or in cases of more serious injury, a physician may recommend surgery as a treatment option.
Treatment is often centered around reducing pain, increasing motion, strength, and improving your ability to participate in the activities that you enjoy or need to perform on a daily basis, so
it’s important to work with healthcare professionals who can help you figure out the best route to recovery for you.