Dr Tarandeep Singh Gill — MS Ortho, MCh Ortho
Director – Joint Replacement & Robotic Surgery · RoboLens FT3D Pioneer · Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali
Many different things can cause pain in your knees. It can even be several things acting on your knees at the same time. Some things that cause knee pain can be gradual, like the natural wear and tear of your knees over time. Other things can be quite sudden and noticeable like an injury. Knee pain can even be something that happens over time with no real reason, and then flare ups can happen with very little to no provocation. Knee pain can really restrict your motion and really affect your day to day activities. Resting your knees can help with knee pain, but if it gets to the point where it is always bothering you then you really should look to have it evaluated.
Knee pain doctor Mohali is a great place to go if you think that your knee pain is bad enough that it needs to be evaluated. There are many different types of treatment that can help you based on the evaluation of your knees and the underlying cause of your knee pain.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
There are a lot of different causes of knee pain. Listing all of them would take a long time, but a few of the most common ones will be listed here.
One of the most common causes of knee pain is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is where the cartilage in your knees slowly deteriorates and causes pain, swelling and stiffness in your knees. This slowly limits the movement of your knees. The treatment for this depends on how bad the arthritis is and how much it limits your knees. If it gets really bad then a knee replacement may be in your future.
Some other causes of knee pain can be from injuries that can be from sports or other activities. Those can also range from mild to really bad. The treatment for mild knee injuries is usually rest and rehabilitation, but more serious injuries may need reconstructive surgery.
Meniscus Tears
Meniscus tears occur from either a sudden knee injury or from normal wear and tear.
There is pain and swelling of the knee. There may be a catching and/or popping of the knee, as well as, restricted movement. Treatment includes physical therapy to strengthen the leg and knee, as well as modifying activities to reduce stress on the knee. In more severe cases, surgery may be required.
Bursitis and Tendon Problems
There are a number of conditions involving the tendons and bursa around the knee that can cause pain. These conditions are usually from overuse, repetitive activities, and/or occupations that require excessive kneeling.
Pain and swelling are treated with modifying activities and/or rest. In more severe cases physical therapy and medications may be required.
When To See A Knee Specialist?
It is always best to see a doctor when there is pain that lasts a long time and/or comes back, especially when the pain limits activities.
Consider consulting a Knee pain doctor Mohali if you experience:
- Persistent or worsening knee pain
- Swelling or stiffness
- Difficulty walking or climbing stairs
- Reduced knee movement
- Repeated episodes of instability
- Pain following an injury
- Clicking, locking, or catching sensations
- Pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities
How Is Knee Pain Diagnosed?
A doctor can evaluate and treat the pain. A knee specialist can also tell you the causes of the pain. There are a number of treatments available including surgery.
Imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs may be ordered if your condition warrants further investigation. X-rays can show changes from arthritis and other conditions affecting the bones. MRIs can display the ligaments and cartilage of the knee and can help in the assessment of knee problems.
An appropriate diagnosis will help the doctor choose the most appropriate treatment for your condition.
Modern Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Treatment for knee problems can be initiated without surgery. Depending on your situation, treatment may consist of (but not limited to):
- Exercise program
- Bracing
- Weight loss
- Medication
- Activity and lifestyle modification
The goal of these treatments is to improve your knee’s function, decrease your pain, and enable you to perform your daily activities.
Minimally Invasive and Surgical Treatments
Surgery is often considered when you are in extreme pain and not able to perform your activities of daily living. Surgery to remove damaged articular cartilage and synovial membrane and/or to stabilize a knee joint by a meniscal repair or replacement is termed arthroscopic surgery. Removing loose cartilage or repairing torn cartilage can also be performed via arthroscopy. In more advanced cases of arthritis, a total or partial knee joint replacement may be performed. Other surgical options include arthroplasty and osteotomy.
Why Personalised Treatment Matters
There are many factors that a knee surgeon considers prior to recommending a surgical option to you. These may include your age and general health, your lifestyle, the severity of your arthritic change, your knee alignment, your degree of pain and disability, previous treatment you may have undergone, and your expected post-operative function.
When you’re looking for a knee pain doctor Mohali, there are many factors to consider including their qualifications and experience, how they diagnose and treat knee problems, the hospital and other health care facilities where they practice, and available rehabilitation services.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is an aspect of treatment for many knee problems and can include improving the flexibility and strength of your knee and other related problems with your legs.
How quickly you are able to return to your normal activities following knee surgery is dependent on many factors including the type of surgery you had and other aspects of your health.
Summary
In order to return to your normal activities as quickly as possible, it’s important to follow the recommendations of your Bone doctor Mohali and not return to normal activities too quickly.
There can be many reasons for knee pain including injury, overuse, and certain conditions which can affect the knees and cartilage. To best treat your knee pain, it’s important to find the reason for your knee pain.
If knee pain is affecting your normal activities and everyday life, it’s a good idea to meet with a Knee Pain Doctor Mohali to learn about your treatment options.
