Knee Pain

What causes knee pain?

Due to their complex anatomy, your knees are prone to injuries and pain. They support most of your body weight and, if you’re active, acute injuries like ligament or cartilage tears can occur. You can also develop knee pain from long-term degenerative conditions like arthritis.

If you experience severe or prolonged knee pain, Dr. Ashford performs diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or knee arthroscopy to make an accurate diagnosis. Common causes of knee pain include:

• An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
• A posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear
• Patellar fracture (broken kneecap)
• Meniscus tear
• Knee bursitis
• Patellar tendinitis
• Kneecap dislocation
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Your risk for knee pain is particularly high if you’re deconditioned or if

you participate in certain physical activities and sports. If you’re an athlete, acute knee injuries can happen with sudden movements like jumping or pivoting. However, you can also injure your knee or develop knee damage from everyday activities like walking or lifting heavy objects. 

When should I book an appointment for knee pain?

Knee pain isn’t always severe and many times it will go away even without treatment. You should consider visiting an orthopedic sports medicine specialist like Dr. Ashford for an evaluation regarding your knee pain if:

• Your knee is unstable
• Your knee can’t support your weight
• The knee is stiff
• There is swelling
• The knee is visibly deformed
• You feel clicking and popping
• The knee has a feeling of “getting stuck” in one position

When you arrive at Ashford Orthopedic Specialists to address your knee pain, Dr. Ashford will ask about your symptoms. Depending on the situation he may also recommend diagnostic procedures like an X-ray, MRI, or knee arthroscopy.

Which treatments can alleviate knee pain?

Dr. Ashford specializes in knee pain treatments that relieve pain and repair areas of damage within the knee. For each case, he creates a one-of-a-kind treatment plan that takes your needs and personal preferences into consideration. Your knee pain treatment plan may involve one or more of the following procedures:

Steroid Injections

Corticosteroids are compounds that are found naturally in the body that decrease inflammation. In both acute and chronic knee pain, inflammation is commonly the cause of your pain. Injection of a steroid into the knee can dramatically reduce inflammation and therefore, decrease your pain and swelling.

Viscosupplementation

Viscosupplementation is a treatment for knee pain from arthritis and involves an injection of hyaluronic acid directly into your knee. Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound throughout your body with several purposes, including joint lubrication. 

Knee arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that works as both a diagnostic tool and a surgical repair method. During knee arthroscopy, Dr. Ashford uses one or more tiny incisions to view the inside of your knee with a small camera and make necessary repairs. He uses an image on a screen from the arthroscope camera for guidance. 

Your comprehensive treatment plan might also include physical therapy and gentle home care. 

To find out more about your knee pain and explore potential treatments, call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, or book an appointment online today.

We offer services such as shoulder replacement, shoulder surgery, and shoulder arthroscopy. Call us to book your appointment today.