Knee pain from injury or degenerative disease can make daily activities so difficult. Or, if you’re an athlete, you may be benched indefinitely. Why not explore knee pain treatment with a skilled orthopedic specialist?
Here’s what you should know. Additionally, we have mentioned where you can go for outstanding knee pain treatment in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Ask Yourself, How Much is Knee Pain Affecting My Life?
Whether you hurt your knee in a fall or notice discomfort developing over time due to overuse or arthritis, knee pain can impair free movement and your overall quality of life. If rest, modifying your activities, ice, bracing, and over-the-counter medications bring little relief, talk to your primary care physician about your persistent knee pain. See if a referral to a skilled orthopedic surgeon is in order.
Two, Get an In-depth Consultation with an Orthopedic Specialist
Choose your orthopedic specialist carefully, ensuring he or she is board-certified and experienced in knee pain treatments. During your in-office consultation, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms. You’ll also receive a hands-on examination and imaging tests, such as digital X-rays, CT scans, or MRI if necessary. Be sure to tell the doctor when your knee pain began and if anything improves or worsens it.
Three, Follow Your Knee Pain Care Plan
Just as each individual is different, so are knee pain care plans. Your plan may include simple at-home interventions, physical therapy, bracing, medications, or injections such as viscosupplementation, corticosteroids, or PRP therapy. Some people do need knee surgery when damage and symptoms are severe, persistent, and limiting.
Examples of knee surgeries are:
- Total or partial joint replacement (common with osteoarthritis)
- Osteotomy to remove bone or cartilage fragments
- Arthroscopic meniscus or ACL surgery to repair complete or partial tears in knee cartilage or ligaments
As you do your treatments, be sure to provide specific feedback to your orthopedic physician and to your therapist. Note what works and what does not so your care plan can be adjusted accordingly.
Four, Live a Healthy Lifestyle
What’s good for your overall health is good for your joints, too, particularly the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Consult with your primary care physician, physical therapist, and orthopedic physician to fine-tune these basic habits:
- Keeping a healthy body weight
- Exercising for 150 minutes per week (cycling, swimming, or walking)
- Tobacco cessation
- Eating a diet high in low-fat protein and calcium, along with fiber from natural plant-based sources
- Drinking at least eight glasses of water daily to maintain adequate hydration
Customized Knee Pain Treatment in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dr. Paul Meli at Paul Meli Orthopedic Surgery is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. He has advanced training in knee surgery and can offer all the non-surgical treatments mentioned above and more, including minimally invasive surgical procedures. Dr. Meli is committed to providing you with lasting relief from knee pain.
Dr. Meli will create a treatment plan that is highly individualized for you. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Meli, call our office today at (954) 324-7711, or use our convenient online request form.
