Knee pain is a common symptom of several distinct medical conditions and injuries. It is also one of the most common reasons to see an orthopedic doctor in the United States.
Knee pain may start suddenly after an injury or exercise or may begin as mild pain and worsen over time. Knee pain can keep you from doing your simple daily activities like walking, bending, standing, and lifting. Whether caused by a medical condition or any injury, knee pain can be bothersome and even debilitating in some circumstances.
The good news is that there are several strategies and home remedies that can be used for knee pain relief. In this article, we will discuss those strategies and treatments and talk about where you can go for knee pain relief if you are located in Fort Lauderdale FL.
At-Home Care
Typically, minor knee pain responds well to rest and at-home measures. At-home care for knee pain relief includes PRICE therapy (which refers to protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation), and over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Protection, which involves protection of the knee from further injury by wearing knee pads or a splint. For example, if you have sustained a knee injury like bursitis, you can prevent further damage to your knee by wearing knee pads.
- Rest, which involves taking a break from all the activities that may be causing knee pain or worsening it.
- Ice, which involves using ice on your knee to reduce swelling at least two to three times a day for 20 minutes each time.
- Compression, which involves using knee braces or wrap to help reduce knee swelling, and thereby knee pain.
- Elevation, which involves raising your knee above your heart level to help keep fluid from building up in your knees. This reduces inflammation and improves knee pain.
OTC Pain Relievers
In addition to PRICE therapy, it is recommended to take over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate pain and swelling. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen play a great role in treating knee pain. Acetaminophen can also help control knee pain, but it does not have anti-inflammatory properties like NSAIDs.
When To See an Orthopedic Doctor
If your symptoms do not go away with PRICE therapy and over-the-counter pain relievers, a good rule of thumb is to see an orthopedic doctor.
An orthopedic doctor will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your medical history, underlying health conditions, and family history. Additionally, they may also perform a physical exam and order some tests to identify the cause of your knee pain. They will also help you determine the type of knee pain you are experiencing.
Generally, based on the causes of your knee pain, an orthopedic doctor will develop a treatment plan which may include non-surgical therapies and surgical therapies.
Knee Pain Relief from an Orthopedic Doctor
Common non-surgical and surgical ways through which an orthopedic doctor can provide you with knee pain relief are as follows:
Prescription Medications
Based on the underlying cause of your knee pain, your orthopedic doctor can prescribe you prescription pain relievers to relieve knee pain, and to treat conditions causing your knee pain. For example, if a medical condition like gout or rheumatoid arthritis is causing your knee pain, your orthopedic doctor will prescribe prescription medication to treat them.
Injections
In some cases, your orthopedic doctor may recommend injecting medication directly into your knee joint, like corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation and provide you knee pain relief. Besides corticosteroids, your orthopedic doctor may also inject other substances like platelet-rich plasma therapy and hyaluronic acid into your knee joint to ease your symptoms.
Physical Therapy
An orthopedic doctor may also recommend physical therapy or different type of strengthening exercises based on the cause of your knee pain. Your physical therapist will teach you different types of stretching and strengthening exercises that can help with knee pain and mobility. Physical therapy exercises will also improve your flexibility and balance.
Surgery
In instances where non-surgical therapies fail to provide knee pain relief, and where there is an injury that requires immediate operation, an orthopedic doctor recommends surgery. Your surgical options for knee pain relief may include:
- Arthroscopic surgery: A minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat knee problems.
- Knee replacement surgery: A partial or complete removal of the damaged knee joint and its replacement with an artificial joint.
- Osteotomy: A process of removing bones from the shinbone or thighbone to relieve knee pain and better align the knee.
Knee Pain Relief in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you are having knee pain that is not getting better at-home measures, visit our orthopedic doctor here at Paul Meli Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Paul Meli has years of experience in treating a full range of knee problems and conditions with surgical and nonsurgical methods to provide knee pain relief.
If you would like to make an appointment with our orthopedic doctor, call today at (954) 324-7711 or request an appointment here.
