Knee Pain

What causes knee pain?

When you experience acute knee pain that lasts less than six weeks, it’s likely due to muscle strains. Strains often develop from muscle overuse due to strenuous exercise and sports participation.

If knee pain lasts longer than six months, it may be the result of an underlying or degenerative condition. The team at Performance Pain and Sports Medicine can diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that cause knee pain, including:

Tendinitis

Tendinitis is a condition that describes inflammation and damage in the soft tissues of the knee.

Baker’s cyst

A Baker’s cyst develops due to degenerative changes in your knee from osteoarthritis or a meniscal tear. The cyst forms at the back of the knee and can cause swelling and pain that interferes with the flexibility of your knee joint.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that describes the wear and tear of the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the bones, where the joint is formed. Without sufficient cartilage, your bones rub together and create friction, inflammation, and pain.

Medial and lateral meniscus tear

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in your knee. Overuse of your knee joint can lead to tears in the meniscus tissue, which in turn creates pain and persistent inflammation.

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB)

The iliotibial band spans across your knee joint, across your knee joint. Due to overuse from strenuous activity and repetitive bending, this tissue band can become irritated and cause pain in the outer part of your knee joint. 

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear

The ACL is a large ligament in your knee that makes movement possible. Stress on this joint from strenuous activity or trauma can lead to tissue tears that become swollen and painful.

How is knee pain diagnosed?

Your Performance Pain and Sports Medicine provider takes time to review your medical history and your usual activities to diagnose the cause of knee pain. They perform a physical exam of your knee joint, testing your flexibility and range of motion. 

To get a better look at the inner structures of your knee, your physician may request imaging tests like X-rays, an ultrasound, or an MRI to identify tissue tears, areas of inflammation, and conditions like osteoarthritis.  

How is knee pain treated?

If you are not finding relief from chronic knee pain with over-the-counter or prescription medications, you may be a candidate for joint injections. Joint injections contain a steroid medication and an anesthetic to reduce inflammation and pain, so you can engage in other activities to boost the health of your knee joint. 

Other available treatment options for chronic knee pain include:

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is a procedure that involves injecting a solution into the knee to irritate the tissue. This triggers your body’s healing response and a boost in your blood circulation to heal tissue damage from the inside out.

Regenerative therapies

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell therapy stimulate your body’s own natural healing abilities to relieve pain. 

PRP and stem cells are already in your blood and are important for the formation of new, healthy cells. Stem cells also have the unique ability to regenerate into any type of cell, including soft tissue, to repair damage from injuries and degenerative diseases. 

You don’t have to live with chronic knee pain. Find out how Performance Pain and Sports Medicine can help restore knee joint function with the lowest surgical rates when patients follow the expert recommendations. Call the office nearest you today.