The knee is a complicated joint often prone to arthritis, injuries, and other types of pain. Knee pain can significantly affect your quality of life. If your knee problems limit your activities, interfere with your everyday tasks, or cause significant pain, it may be time to talk to a specialist. Using the most advanced imaging, nonsurgical, and surgical technologies and procedures , the expert knee doctors at EmergeOrtho evaluate, diagnose, and treat a range of injuries and conditions that can cause knee pain.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
There are many potential causes of knee pain. Knee osteoarthritis is very common, and can cause significant knee pain while other knee injuries and conditions can too. EmergeOrtho’s knee doctors are experienced in the most advanced treatments for knee joint pain caused by a variety of injuries and conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury
- Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury
- Patellar instability
- Tendinitis
- Dislocation
- Avascular necrosis
- Fractures
- Broken kneecap
- Meniscus tears
- Cartilage injury
- Stress fracture
- Walking (gait) abnormalities
When You Should See a Knee Doctor
Knee pain is so common that many people just grin and bear it. This may be easier, but it can often lead to more pain or worse—long-lasting damage. You should begin to seek care before the pain interferes with your quality of life, as this could help prevent surgery and the risk of serious damage. Seeking treatment at any point in your knee pain journey is essential. Some of the critical signs that you need an orthopedic doctor for knee pain include:
- Not being able to put weight on your knee
- Your knee feels unstable
- Feeling pain in the knee, even when stationary
- Not being able to fully extend the knee joint
- The appearance of a deformity or significant swelling in the knee
- Have a fever along with knee pain, swelling, or redness
- The failure of home care to bring relief
- Being forced to give up activities you enjoy because of knee pain
- Not being able to do ordinary, daily tasks because of pain
