Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders with aging. The main functions of the knee are to flex and extend and bear weight. Many disorders and injuries can cause knee pain. Common causes of knee pain are –
- Injury
- Arthritis
- Overuse
- Obesity
Treatments may vary, depending upon exactly the cause of knee pain. To determine the reason, the doctor may also suggest tests such as –
X-ray – As a first step, the doctor may recommend an X-ray that can indicate whether fractures or degenerative joint disease are present.
CT scan – CT Scans use X-rays taken from different angles to create cross-sectional images of organs.
Ultrasound – A knee ultrasound evaluates the soft tissues, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and bones surrounding the knee.
MRI- MRIs use radio waves and a powerful magnet to visualize the inside of your knee. This test is useful in identifying injuries to soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and muscles.
Non-surgical treatments for knee pain include:
- Resting the knee
- Using ice to reduce swelling
- Massaging the knee
- Compressing heat to relieve stiffness and pain
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Conservative treatments include rest, ice packs, heat packs, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, stretching exercises, and weight reduction if necessary
When surgery is required?
- Surgery is often recommended for knee pain that has not responded to other treatments.
- Arthroscopic surgery – Knee arthroscopy is a surgical technique used to diagnose and treat knee joint problems. This allows you to see inside the joint on a screen. This procedure is performed using a small instrument inserted into the arthroscope. Arthroscopy techniques also repair the ligaments of the joint.
- Partial knee replacement surgery – Partial knee replacement also referred to as “partial knee resurfacing surgery,” has a lower recovery time than that of a full knee replacement. It’s often used to treat only one part (compartment) of the joint, rather than all four. It is a common treatment for chronic arthritis of one knee joint.
- Total knee replacement – Total knee replacement surgery can help relieve pain and restore joint function in severely diseased knees.
- Osteotomy – In this procedure, a bone wedge is removed or added to the shinbone (tibia) or thighbone (femur) to shift weight away from the damaged portion of the knee joint.
- In some cases, knee injuries or knee pain may not require surgical interventions, Knee pain can be caused by many different things. It could be from an injury, a disease, or just a lack of mobility.
As a leading orthopedic hospital in Bopal, we have the best surgeons who are empathetic toward their patients. Our orthopedic team in Saraswati Hospital has some of the best orthopedic surgeons. For more information or inquiry, please call +91 98254 45403/09 or email info@saraswatihospitals.com.