What Doctor Do You See For Knee Pain

Do Orthopedic Surgeons Work On Knees

Knee Pain Or Injury – Should You See A Doctor?

Orthopedic doctors focus on joints, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and how they interact across the body. Orthopedic doctors choose from a wide array of specialties like Joints and often are the ones who treat injured knees and hips caused by arthritis or another joint limiting condition. Two of our care providers, Dr. Nauman Akhtar and Dr. Matthew Gavin, specialize in joint surgery.

The Pain Wont Go Away

Ligament sprains of the knee usually caused by a blow to the knee or a sudden twist of the knee are a common cause of knee pain, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Typical symptoms include pain, swelling, instability , or difficulty walking, says Gotlin.

These types of injuries can often be treated at home with RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation, along with over-the-counter pain medications, notes Johns Hopkins. But if the pain doesnt lessen or disappear after about three weeks, or the knee is giving out when you try to walk, you should probably see a doctor.

Torn cartilage, which can occur with injuries of the knee or arthritis, is another common cause of knee pain, adds Gotlin. Trauma to the knee can tear the menisci, which are cushion pads of connective tissue that absorb shock located within the knee joint.

Torn cartilage usually wont get better without professional intervention, and in some cases, surgery may be necessary. A sore knee that refuses to get better could point to a tear, or it may simply be a minor injury that needs a doctors care to improve. Whatever it is, its an injury that the body cant handle by itself, Gotlin says. It needs some outside help.

Im A Runner And Have Occasional Knee Pain Should I Stop Running When Should I See A Doctor

We are sports medicine specialists, and therefore, we want to keep you active. Our goal is to keep you doing the activities that you love. Runners are used to tolerating high amounts of pain, and sometimes it is difficult to differentiate what is actually a bad pain from a training pain. If pain seems different than what you are used to feeling, if pain is more severe, lasts longer, or is present every time when you run, then you should contact a doctor.

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What Medical Conditions Cause Knee Pain

Medical conditions

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can affect any joint in the body. It can cause severe pain and disability, as well as swelling.

Gout is a form of arthritis that is most commonly found in the big toe, though it can also affect the knee. Gout tends to flare up and is extremely painful during acute episodes. When there is no flare-up, the knee can be pain-free.

With , the knee joint can become infected this leads to pain, swelling, and fever. This condition requires antibiotics and drainage treatments as soon as possible.

Chronic use/overuse conditions

Patellar tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons connecting the kneecap to the shinbone . Patellar tendinitis is a chronic condition often found in individuals repeating the same motion during exercise .

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is caused by degeneration or stress under the kneecap where it meets the thighbone . Patellofemoral pain syndrome occurs in runners and cyclists.

Osteoarthritis: a wearing down of cartilage of the joint due to use and age

Prepatellar bursitis: Inflammation to the bursa in front of the kneecap may cause anterior knee pain.

Other causes

When Should You See A Doctor About Knee Pain

When Should You See a Doctor for Knee Pain? Healthsoul

Knee injuries can cause different forms of pain or instability that can impact your quality of life. On todays Health Minute, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matheau Eysser talks about common symptoms to look for when deciding whether your knee pain should be examined by a physician.

Interviewer:

Dr. Eysser:

However, if your symptoms are a dull ache, pain when standing from a sitting position, or pain that improves after walking a couple of steps, this could indicate arthritis. If you are experiencing these types of symptoms, it is a good idea to have your knee checked out by your doctor.

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Pinched Nerve In The Neck

A pinched nerve in the neck is also called cervical radiculopathy. It means that a nerve in the neck, at a point where it branches off from the spinal cord, is being compressed by the surrounding bones, muscles, or other tissues.

It can be caused by a traumatic injury, such as from sports or an automobile accident, especially if the injury results in a herniated disk. It may also arise from the normal wear and tear of aging.

Symptoms include sharp, burning pain with numbness and tingling from the neck to the shoulder, as well as weakness and numbness into the arm and hand.

Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and simple neurological tests to check the reflexes. Imaging such as x-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be done, as well as electromyography to measure nerve impulses in the muscles.

A pinched nerve in the neck often improves with simply a few days or weeks of rest. Physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroid injections into the spine can all be very helpful.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: pain in one shoulder, spontaneous shoulder pain, pain that radiates down arm, pain in the back of the neck, severe shoulder pain

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Pressing On The Knee Doesnt Hurt

If youre unable to increase your pain level by touching or pushing on your knee, the source of the pain may actually be caused by problems elsewhere in the body. For example, sciatica a condition in which a disc in the lower back presses on a nerve can cause pain down the leg and through the knee. Hip injuries may also cause knee pain. So if you push around in your knee and it doesnt hurt, consult a doctor to figure out whats really going on.

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Understand The Medical Vocabulary In Advance

Sciatica is a lay term that describes a set of symptoms that originate in your lower back and travel down your sciatic nerve. There are specific terms associated with sciatica and learning the vocabulary ahead of time can help you save time and avoid confusion during your consultation.

See What You Need to Know About Sciatica

Commonly used medical terms are:

Nerve root. Several spinal nerves branch off your spinal cord at different levels. A nerve root is the part of the spinal nerve that leaves the spinal cord, passes through a bony opening, and exits the spinal canal.

Your Primary Care Doctor Has Recommended You See A Spine Specialist

Knee Pain? 12 Signs You Need to See a Doctor Immediately

If youre like most people, when you first develop a medical concern, you make an appointment with your primary care doctor. And this is a good first step. Your primary care physician can perform a physical exam, order imaging studies, and diagnose and treat sciatica. But if your case is more complex, you may be referred to a spine surgeon. Keep in mind, seeing a surgeon doesnt mean you will definitely require surgery. Its just the next step in the process of finding the best treatment plan for you.

Can An Orthopedic Doctor Treat Arthritis

Orthopedic doctors treat arthritis all the time. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons people see orthopedic doctors or surgeons. Severe arthritis might require a joint replacement or arthroplasty. Other forms of arthritis may also need to be treated by a Rheumatologist.

If you would like to learn more about knee replacements, this video may help.

To schedule an appointment with a knee doctor, please call schedule online or click below

Ive Had Minor Knee Pain For Some Time But It Is Beginning To Interfere With My Sleep Should I See An Orthopedic Surgeon

If pain is not resolving after a couple of weeks of avoiding activities that elicit you pain, then you should have your knee checked out by a professional. Sometimes, small changes to the way you walk, jump, or exercise can improve the pain significantly. Additionally, if inflammation persists, injections or specific anti-inflammatories can help ease the pain.

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Are You Experiencing Knee Pain But Havent Yet Seen A Doctor If So Youre Not Alone In Fact Most Patients Unnecessarily Delay A Trip To The Doctors Office Due To Fear Of The Unknown Fear Of Surgery Fear Of Pain Or Even Fear That Theyll End Up Feeling Worse

While its normal to be nervous about seeking treatment, the truth is there are risks for waiting too long. If youve determined your knee pain warrants the attention of a physician , here are four reasons you shouldnt wait to make an appointment:

Better surgical outcomesA recent study by the University of Toronto found that if knee surgery can be performed early, it may be more successful. Continued use of your damaged knee can lead to further damage, making a future procedure more complex. In addition, longer procedures require more time under anesthesia, which further increases risk.

The potential for alternative therapiesKnee pain does not always require surgery. Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor may recommend less invasive, non-surgical methods of treatment such as anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections or physical therapy. However, if your injury remains untreated for too long, surgery may become your only option.

Risk of additional injuryBy not caring for a damaged or injured knee, you are running the risk of surrounding muscles, ligaments and other structures in the body becoming weak and losing function. In addition, you may end up compensating in other areas of your life, such as avoiding driving or the stairs and even becoming sedentary which can put you at risk for obesity, heart disease and other serious conditions.

What Doctor Do You See For Knee Pain

byJacquelyn Fails on 05 Apr 2020

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How Is Neuropathic Pain Treated

The goals of treatment are to:

Treat the underlying disease .

Multimodal therapy is usually required to treat neuropathic pain.

Medicines commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain include anti-seizure drugs such as:

Gabapentin .

Doctors also prescribe antidepressants such as

Amitriptyline .
Venlafaxine .
Duloxetine .

Getting a prescription from your pain specialist for anti-seizure drugs or antidepressants does not mean you have seizures or are depressed. However, its true that chronic pain can be made worse by anxiety or depression.

Topical treatments like lidocaine or capsaicinpatches, creams or ointmentscan be used on the painful area. Opioid analgesics are less effective in treating neuropathic pain, and negative effects may prevent their long-term use.

The pain can also be treated with nerve blocks given by pain specialists, including injections of steroids, local anesthetics, or other medicines into the affected nerves.

Neuropathic pain that has not responded to the therapies mentioned above can be treated with spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation and brain stimulation.

Can An Orthopedic Doctor Treat Sciatica

Orthopedic. For a small percentage of sciatica cases, orthopedic surgery may be the best option available for relief, such as a discectomy or laminectomy, both of which removes the source of the pain of sciatica, from herniated discs to bone spurs to other tissues creating pressure against the nerves.

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Do You Need To See An Orthopedic Physician Or A Rheumatologist

Patients should use the guidelines below to help determine if they should choose an orthopedic physician or rheumatologist for their arthritis and joint pain.

Patients might need an orthopedic physician if they have:

Joint or musculoskeletal pain that began after an injury
Gradually progressive hip or knee pain that is worse with weight bearing
Joint pain that is severe and interfering with function
Moderate or advanced arthritis of the knee or hip
Previous unsuccessful treatment for joint pain
Been told by their doctor they might need a joint replacement

Patients might need a rheumatologist if they have:

Pain involving many joints
Muscular pain with or without any other symptoms
New headaches or muscle aches and are over the age of 50
Back pain with or without pain in the legs
Unexplained, ongoing symptoms such as fever, sweats or weight loss

A patients medical needs are important and unique, that is why UMass Memorial Medical Center offers specialty trained physicians that have devoted their education and career to treating specific medical conditions to serve you.

Do I Need To Go To A Rheumatologist Or An Orthopedist

Top 7 Knee Pain Relief Treatments – Ask Doctor Jo

With so much overlap between medical disciplines and specializations, it is often difficult for an individual to discern which type of doctor to see for their problem.

This is especially true for orthopedics and rheumatology, as both of these types of physicians treat joint pain.

Orthopedists are surgeons who address bone and joint diseases and injuries, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, and body trauma. Rheumatologists are internal medicine physicians who focus on autoimmune conditions and the non-surgical treatment of such diseases, such as arthritis, where medications and/or physical therapy can provide the proper treatment.

It is important to understand the areas these two specialties cover in order to make an informed decision.

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What Type Of Doctor Should You See For Knee Pain

If the pain is the result of an injury, it is recommended to go to one of Coordinated Healths Orthopedic Walk-In Injury Centers for assessment. For pain that has been occurring for a longer duration of time, schedule an appointment with an orthopedic physician for evaluation and make a personalized treatment plan.

What Does A Rheumatologist Do

Rheumatology studies the causes, impact, and treatments of inflammatory autoimmune disorders on the human body. In an autoimmune disorder, a patients own immune system malfunctions and turns its attack on his own healthy body tissue, rather than on invading or external disease agents.

Rheumatologists can be internists or pediatricians who have additional training and qualifications. They have the experience to diagnose and treat many of the over 100 systemic forms of adult, juvenile, and temporal arthritis. They treat mechanical joint, bone, muscle, and soft and connective tissue diseases.

Often referred to as arthritis doctors, rheumatologists treat many other diseases too.

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Sudden Onset Of Other Symptoms

When your knee is bothering you, pay attention to the rest of your health. Symptoms to look out for are sudden swelling, redness, fever, chills nausea or a warm feeling in the knee. These symptoms may indicate infection in the joint, also known as septic arthritis. If bacteria get into your joint, delay of treatment could lead to permanent disability or even septic shock so see a doctor as soon as possible.

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Swelling Or Redness Around The Joint

Swelling and redness around the knee joint may indicate an underlying problem. Serious problems may cause changes in the color and shape of your knee joint, such as rheumatoid arthritis and infection. In the case of the latter, immediate treatment is necessary in order to avoid further complications. This is especially concerning if you have a fever along with knee swelling and redness.

What Doctor Do You See For Knee Pain

Do Orthopedic Surgeons Work On Knees

The Pain Wont Go Away

Im A Runner And Have Occasional Knee Pain Should I Stop Running When Should I See A Doctor