What causes knee pain?

You may be experiencing knee pain for a number of reasons, from landing wrong after a jump to inflammation caused by arthritis. Among the most common causes of knee pain are:

• Arthritis or gout
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
• Torn meniscus
• Fractured kneecap
• Tendonitis or bursitis
• Dislocation
• Degeneration leading to loosened ligaments

No matter the cause of your knee pain, the skilled team at Pain Medicine Group can help relieve your symptoms and get you back to your usual routine.

What other symptoms are related to knee pain?

Pain is a good indicator that something is wrong with your knee, but there may be other less noticeable symptoms that also signify a problem.

Other symptoms related to knee pain include:

• Popping or grinding of your knees
• Swelling or redness
• Unusual warmth of the knee
• Overall soreness
• Inability to stretch out your leg or knee
• Weakness or instability

If you can’t walk, your knee is swollen or red, or there’s a visual deformity, you should see a doctor right away.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, with or without knee pain, the team at Pain Medicine Group can identify the cause and provide treatment to help prevent your symptoms from getting worse.

How is knee pain treated?

At Pain Medicine Group, the goal of treatment is to improve your quality of life and give you a pain-free future. The team works directly with you to develop a personalized plan that promotes healing and pain relief.

Treatment options for knee pain include:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
  
  
• Steroid injections and hyaluronic acid injections are two common treatment options used to alleviate knee pain. While they work through different mechanisms, both can provide relief and improve joint function. Here's an overview of how each treatment works:

Steroid Injections:
Steroid injections, also known as corticosteroid injections, involve the administration of a corticosteroid medication directly into the affected knee joint. These injections contain a synthetic form of cortisol, a hormone with potent anti-inflammatory properties. The corticosteroid helps to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response in the joint, thereby alleviating pain and swelling.

When the steroid is injected into the knee joint, it quickly targets the inflamed tissues, including the synovial membrane and surrounding structures. By inhibiting the release of inflammatory substances, such as prostaglandins and cytokines, the steroid reduces pain and inflammation in the knee joint. Additionally, it can also help to break down scar tissue or adhesions that may be contributing to the pain.

Steroid injections are typically recommended for conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and certain types of inflammatory joint conditions. The relief provided by a steroid injection can vary from person to person, ranging from temporary to long-lasting effects.

Hyaluronic Acid Injections:
Hyaluronic acid injections, also known as viscosupplementation, involve the injection of a gel-like substance containing hyaluronic acid into the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant and shock absorber in the joint.

In cases of knee osteoarthritis, the synovial fluid may become thinner and lose its lubricating properties. This can lead to increased friction between the joint surfaces, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Hyaluronic acid injections aim to restore the viscosity and lubricating properties of the synovial fluid in the joint.

When hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint, it helps to enhance joint lubrication, reduce friction, and provide cushioning between the bones. This can alleviate pain, improve joint movement, and potentially slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid injections are typically administered as a series of injections over several weeks, and the effects can last for several months.

It's worth noting that while both steroid and hyaluronic acid injections can provide temporary relief, they do not address the underlying cause of knee pain. Therefore, it's important to use these treatments as part of a comprehensive approach that may include physical therapy, exercise, weight management, and other interventions recommended by a healthcare professional.

The team at Pain Medicine Group take an interdisciplinary approach to care and may refer you for physical therapy to help strengthen your knee and the supporting muscles to alleviate pain and discomfort and prevent future issues.

For management of your knee pain, whether it’s the result of a sports injury or natural wear-and-tear, the team at Pain Medicine Group can help. Call today or schedule an appointment online.

What other medical issues do we treat?

At Pain Medicine Group, we treat a wide range of medical issues including:

• Arm Pain
• Arthritis pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Degenerative Disc
• Disc Herniation
• Fibromyalgia pain
• Foot pain
• Headache
• Hip pain
• Knee pain
• Leg pain
• Low back pain
• Migraines
• Neck pain
• Nerve pain
• Neuropathy
• Radiculopathy
• Sciatica pain
• Shoulder pain