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Knee Pain

Knee pain can affect people of all ages and is a fairly common complaint. The pain may be caused by injury or a medical condition, such as arthritis or gout.

The treatment of knee pain will depend on the cause and severity of the condition. Contact Cayman Neurology today to learn more about what pain management options are available to relieve your knee pain. We can help you resolve your discomfort.

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Topic at a Glance

  • Knee pain can come from injuries such as ACL tears, fractures, patellar tendinitis, a torn meniscus, or bursitis.
  • Mechanical problems like iliotibial band syndrome, patellofemoral pain syndrome, a loose body, a dislocated kneecap, or pain in the hip or foot can also lead to knee pain.
  • Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and pseudogout can all affect the knee, and an infected joint (septic arthritis) usually needs immediate medical attention.
  • Treatment may include injections, nerve blocks, massage therapy, physical therapy, pain medication, or hyaluronic acid injections for joint fluid therapy.

Specialties

Neurology

Pain Management

Diagnostic Tests

Therapeutic Procedures

What Causes Knee Pain

You may have pain in your knee because of an injury, mechanical problems, arthritis, or another medical condition. We will now discuss each of these knee problems and how it causes pain in the knee joint.

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries can include damage to the bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, or the bursae of your knee joint. Below are some of the common knee injuries that can cause knee pain.

  1. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury: Your ACL is one of the ligaments that connect the shinbone to the thigh bone. This knee injury is common in sports that require a sudden change of direction.
  2. Fractures: You can fracture any of the bones that make up the knee joint.
  3. Patella tendinitis: Tendinitis of the patellar tendon is when the thick tissue that connects the kneecap to the shinbone becomes inflamed and irritated.
  4. Torn meniscus: The meniscus is the cartilage that sits between the thigh bone and shinbone. It can tear if you suddenly twist your knee while under load.
  5. Knee bursitis: The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that cushions the outside of your knee joint. Some injuries can cause inflammation in the bursae.

Mechanical Problems

Mechanical problems are related to the function of the knee joint. Some of the mechanical issues that cause knee pain are listed below.

  1. Iliotibial band syndrome: When the tendon that joins from the hip to the outer knee gets tight, it can rub along the thigh bone and cause pain. Long-distance runners are susceptible to this type of pain.
  2. Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Muscle imbalances and weaknesses can cause pain in the knee cap.
  3. Loose body: When bones and cartilage wear out, a piece can get dislodged, preventing your normal range of motion.
  4. Dislocated kneecap: The kneecap can get dislodged and cause pain.
  5. Hip or foot pain: You are likely to walk differently when you have pain in your hip or foot. Your knee may compensate and take the strain, causing it to hurt.

Arthritis

There are many different types of arthritis that can cause joint pain. Arthritis pain is often accompanied by swelling. The most common types of knee arthritis are listed below.

  1. Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis. Knee osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in your knee deteriorates with use and age.
  2. Rheumatoid arthritis: This is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition and is classed as a chronic disease. You can have either severe or less severe pain, and it may even come and go.
  3. Gout: Gout is the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint. Although gout usually affects the big toe, it can also occur in the knee joints.
  4. Pseudogout: This is very similar to gout, but it is caused by calcium-containing crystals developing in the joint fluid. Pseudogout is more likely to affect the knee joint than any other joint.
  5. If your knee joint becomes infected, it can lead to swelling, pain, and redness. Septic arthritis can quickly cause extensive damage to the knee cartilage and usually requires immediate medical attention.

What Are the Symptoms of Knee Pain

Knee pain can occur anywhere in the joint and can vary in severity. Other signs and symptoms sometimes associated with knee pain are listed below.

  1. Swelling and stiffness
  2. Weakness or instability
  3. Redness and warmth to the touch
  4. Inability to fully straighten the knee
  5. Popping or crunching noises

When to See a Doctor for Your Knee Pain

You should call your doctor if you experience the following symptoms with your knee pain:

  • Your knee cannot bear your weight
  • You have substantial knee swelling
  • You cannot fully extend or flex your knee
  • There is an obvious deformity in your leg or knee
  • Your knee pain is accompanied by a fever, in addition to redness and swelling in your knee
  • You have severe knee pain that is associated with an injury

How Knee Pain Is Treated

The first step in treating knee pain is to understand the root cause of the pain. Tests are typically done to achieve this and can include x-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds.

A treatment plan may be developed once the root cause of the knee pain is determined. Treatment for knee pain can cross many medical disciplines and include the following:

  1. Injections to relieve pain locally
  2. Nerve blocks to prevent feeling pain
  3. Massage therapy to increase circulation and manage pain
  4. Physical therapy to strengthen the knee and prevent knee pain
  5. Pain medication
  6. Hyaluronic acid injections (Supartz, Orthovisc, Synvisc, Euflexxa) for joint fluid therapy

 

The team at Cayman Neurology has developed a multifaceted approach to relieve knee pain. By treating each patient as an individual, we can offer several pain management options that can address your specific needs.

Find out how we can help manage your pain. Call our office in the Cayman Islands today! We look forward to helping you get back to doing the things you love to do.

FAQs About Knee Pain

When should I see a doctor for knee pain?

Call your doctor if your knee can’t bear weight, is very swollen, can’t fully straighten or bend, looks deformed, is red and swollen with a fever, or if severe pain follows an injury.

Osteoarthritis, which happens when the cartilage in the knee wears down with use and age.

Yes. Pain in your hip or foot can change the way you walk, and your knee may take on extra strain and start to hurt.

Tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds are typically used to find the root cause before a treatment plan is made.

They’re a form of joint fluid therapy for the knee. Brands include Supartz, Orthovisc, Synvisc, and Euflexxa.

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