The knee is a complicated joint and is 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’s time to talk to a specialist. The knee specialists at EmergeOrtho are experts in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating the injuries and conditions that cause knee pain.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
There are many potential causes of knee pain. Knee osteoarthritis is very common, but significant knee pain can also result from a range of injuries and conditions. The knee orthopedic specialists at EmergeOrtho provide treatment for knee pain caused by a variety of injuries and conditions:
- 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
- Tendonitis
- Dislocation
- Avascular necrosis
- Fractures
- Broken kneecap
- Meniscus tears
- Cartilage injury
- Stress fracture
- Walking (gait) abnormalities
Who Needs a Knee Specialist?
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 – this could prevent surgery and the risk of serious damage – but seeking treatment at any point in your knee pain journey is essential. Some of the critical signs that you need a specialist 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