Don’t Settle for Mediocre Knee Pain Treatment in NYC

Treatment for Knee Pain Varies Depending on the Specific Condition You Have

When you have a knee injury, the best thing you can do is follow the R.I.C.E. method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Injuries in the acute stage benefit from these strategies to decrease inflammation and promote the body’s natural healing process. But what if you’ve tried this already and you’re still suffering from persistent knee pain? In this case, you should seek knee pain treatment in NYC to relieve symptoms and address the root condition.

It’s important to visit a knee specialist as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• You hear a popping noise in the knee or it gives way at the time of injury

• You experience severe pain and/or intense swelling

• You cannot move the knee or have a limp

These symptoms are indicative of a serious knee injury that necessitates professional orthopaedic treatment. A Rothman Orthopaedic Institute doctor can relieve knee pain with the latest evidence-based treatment methods for the expert care of knee injuries.

Knee Pain Causes

With your presenting symptoms, a physical examination, and the results of imaging tests, your doctor will identify the specific problem(s) affecting your knee. Treatment approaches vary according to the diagnosis. Because the knee is a complex, interconnected joint, it is possible to have multiple injuries. The good news is that the majority of cases will improve with physical therapy, rest, medications, and other conservative methods. Here are several common knee problems that we often see at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute:

• Osteoarthritis
  This term refers to a wear-and-tear condition that may worsen with age. Osteoarthritis can affect any part of the body, but due to the high incidence of knee injuries, the knee is a common place for arthritis to develop later in life. Cartilage breakdown in the knee causes friction between the bones, which can be very painful. The bones also become more vulnerable to damage as the protective layers are worn down. Treatment for arthritis is aimed at reducing pain and facilitating improved mobility through a variety of methods.

• Knee Bursitis
  Knee bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, a small, jelly-like sac that cushions joints and soft tissues throughout the body. Prepatellar bursitis occurs in the front of the kneecap. Pes anserine bursitis occurs between the shinbone and the tendons associated with the hamstring muscle on the inside of the knee. In either case, the bursa becomes irritated and swells with fluid, which puts pressure on nearby tissues in the knee. Symptoms include swelling, tenderness, warmth to the touch, and pain from activity. An infection can precipitate a fever with the accompanying cold chills, which is very serious and should be treated immediately. Most treatment plans will involve conservative methods, with surgery used to remove the bursa only in certain cases.

• ACL Injuries
  ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament, which is the ligament inside the knee that crosses in the front. ACL injuries are common among people who participate in high-intensity sports such as basketball, soccer, skiing, and football. Many patients with an ACL injury will have also sustained damage to other tissues, including the meniscus and articular cartilage. Within a few hours of injury, patients will typically experience a great deal of swelling, pain, tenderness, and a loss of range of motion. The outlook for a torn ACL is often favorable, but patients should expect recovery and rehabilitation to take at least three months without surgery and at least six to nine months with surgery. Patients should see the doctor to determine what treatment option is best for them and their activity level.

• Knee Fractures
  Knee fractures can occur in the patella (kneecap), the distal femur (thighbone), or the proximal tibia (shin bone). A patellar fracture can be caused by a fall directly on the knee or a hard blow against the kneecap. It will typically interfere with the patient’s ability to straighten the leg or walk. While some patellar fractures can be treated with a splint or cast while the bone rebuilds, other patients may need surgery to hold the pieces of bone together. Meanwhile, distal femur fractures occur just above the knee joint and proximal tibia fractures occur just below the knee joint. These injuries usually affects older people with weak bones or people who have had an accident, such as a car crash. These types of fracture are very serious and can involve multiple breaks that extend into the knee joint. A highly-qualified knee doctor should oversee treatment of any and all bone fractures.

Our knee pain treatment in NYC addresses many other conditions as well, including meniscal tears, cartilage injuries, dislocation, tendonitis, posterior cruciate ligament tears, and inflammatory diseases.

Expert Treatment for Knee Pain at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute

The knee should work with each part doing its job so that the joints can move without pain. When disease, arthritis, or a knee injury leads patients to lose normal knee functioning, a skilled orthopaedic doctor can help by developing a customized knee pain treatment in NYC.

Depending on the patient’s history, a combination of treatments including physical therapy, injection, medication, arthroscopy, total or partial knee replacement, and other surgeries may be recommended. Each situation is different, and doctor recommendations are based on the characteristics of the specific condition being treated.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.