What are the common causes of knee pain?
Your knees absorb a lot of stress and force every day — they take on at least one and half times your weight with every step you take. This daily wear and tear, combined with a genetic predisposition to degenerative conditions and injuries, can lead to stiff, painful knees.
Some of the most common causes of knee pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Baker’s cysts
- Sprains
- Cartilage and meniscus tears
- Fractures
Dr. Melillo treats age-related knee pain as well as sports-related and work-related knee injuries.
When should I talk to a doctor about knee pain?
You should never ignore knee pain or assume that it’s an inevitable part of aging. If you have mild knee pain that doesn’t interfere with your mobility, sleep, or have a visible deformity, you can try at-home rest with ice and elevation.
However, if your knee pain persists for more than a few days, you should make an appointment with Dr. Melillo. Other signs that you need medical attention include severe swelling, deformity, or pain that’s so severe it keeps you awake at night or limits your mobility.
How is the cause of knee pain diagnosed?
Dr. Melillo begins by reviewing your symptoms, what you were doing when your knee pain started, medical history, and lifestyle factors. He examines your knee, feeling for inflammation, and deformity. Dr. Melillo might ask you to bend or extend your knee or take a few steps around the office.
In some cases, Dr. Melillo might order additional tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or arthroscopy to examine the inside of your knee in more detail. These tests provide information that allows him to confirm your diagnosis and assess the severity of your condition.
What are the available treatments for knee pain?
After diagnosing the cause of your knee pain, Dr. Melillo creates a customized treatment plan to relieve your pain and heal the underlying condition. Depending on the type and severity of your condition, your treatment plan could include:
- Rest
- Hot and cold therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medicine
- Cortisol injections
- Hyaluronic acid injections
- Joint aspiration
- Regenerative medicine, including stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
In severe cases, you might need surgery to repair or restore your knee. Dr. Melillo performs partial and total knee replacements, ACL reconstructions, meniscus repairs, and more.
Don’t ignore persistent or severe knee pain. Call Bay Oaks Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine or make an appointment online today for expert orthopaedic care.
