Let Us Help You Find Relief From Knee Pain at Houston Physicians’ Hospital
With over 15 million Americans suffering from chronic knee pain, the condition has become one of the most common causes of loss of mobility across the nation.
Chronic knee pain is characterized by swelling, redness, stiffness, and severe discomfort in one or both knees. People may experience knee pain following an injury that results in a ruptured ligament or damaged cartilage. Alternatively, the condition could also be caused by a range of medical conditions.
Causes of Knee Pain
The knee plays a foundational role in enabling the body to move, bend, and straighten, thereby maintaining functionality. This requires a harmonious balance between the tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage. External or internal trauma to the body causes inflammation that inhibits movement and causes a sharp and throbbing pain. If left untreated, the condition may escalate and cause peroneal nerve paralysis. Its gravity requires timely diagnosis and treatment that offers long-term pain relief and reinstates mobility.
Knee pain is commonly caused by one or more of the following conditions:
- Dislocated kneecap
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Fractures
- Hip or foot pain
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Sprained ligaments
- Bone tumors
Knee pain may escalate if the person takes little to no precautionary measures. Rigorous activity, overuse, weak posture, inadequate warming up prior to exercise, and improper bodily movements are the most common causes of the condition worsening over time.
Symptoms of Knee Pain
While the symptoms for knee pain largely vary depending on the severity and complexity of the condition, they generally include:
- A sharp ache originating near the knee and extending across some areas of the leg
- Swelling and stiffness
- Warmth near the knee
- Redness
- Inability to bend or straighten the knee without discomfort
- Inability to put weight on the knee
- Fatigue and restlessness
Diagnosis and Treatment for Knee Pain at Houston Physicians’ Hospital
Our team of orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and physicians has years of medical expertise in effectively diagnosing and treating mild to severe knee pain.
The diagnostic stages include undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help experts determine the extent of the damage. We recommend informing your doctor about allergies and potential claustrophobia prior to the MRI scan. You may be required to undergo additional tests based on the severity of the knee pain.
At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we offer the following treatment plans for chronic knee pain:
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Injections (corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma)
- Meniscectomy
- Meniscus repair
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Lateral release
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
- Partial knee replacement surgery
- Total knee replacement surgery
In addition, our orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and physicians may prescribe a set of lifestyle changes following treatment. These generally include precautionary measures, i.e. limiting rigorous activity and abstaining from certain tasks depending on the subjective condition and treatment plan.
Contact our expert orthopedic specialists at the Orthopedic Center of Excellence at Houston Physicians’ Hospital to find ways to ease chronic knee pain. We have successfully helped patients across Southeast Texas—including South Houston, Clear Lake, Webster, League City, Galveston, and neighboring communities get long-term relief from the debilitating pain and restricted mobility caused by a variety of joint pain.
