Knee Pain Treatment – Virgin Islands

The knee is one of the most complex joints in the body and serves a variety of functions. It gives us the ability to walk, run, and do so much more.

However, it can be very unsettling when pain starts to develop or if we have been injured and realize something is wrong. Are you currently facing this situation? If so, treatment is available!

Our highly trained medical specialists at Virgin Island Neurology have assisted many in finding relief from their knee pain. We are dedicated to providing you with a high-quality, tailored treatment plan to help alleviate your discomfort. Schedule an appointment with our office in the U.S. Virgin Islands today!

An Overview of Knee Pain

Knee pain is very common and can occur for several reasons. It may start unexpectedly after an injury or exercise. Your discomfort may be mild in nature and then gradually intensify.

For some, knee pain may resolve with ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory medication. Others may need a minimally invasive procedure or surgery to relieve severe discomfort.

What Causes Knee Pain?

Knee pain can be caused by many different things, including the following:

Injury

Injuries to the knee can occur suddenly. Common knee injuries may include:

Bursitis — Bursitis occurs when your bursa (a fluid-filled sac) becomes inflamed or irritated.
Knee Dislocation — When your bones are moved out of their normal position.
Meniscus tear — Your meniscus cushions and stabilizes your knee joint. Meniscus tears can occur when your knee is twisted during an injury or simply while you are exercising.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral (MCL) injuries — These injuries occur when there is damage to the main ligaments (ACL or MCL) that stabilize your knee.

Arthritis

Arthritis of the knee can be extremely painful because it causes your joint to swell. Two common types of arthritis that can affect your knee may include the following:

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage of your joint degenerates over time. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the knee and can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited mobility.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of inflammatory arthritis that can affect many joints in the body, including the knee.

Overuse

Repetitive overuse can cause severe pain. Some common painful overuse conditions include:

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome — Although patellofemoral pain syndrome generally affects children, young adults, and athletes, it can also affect older adults if they have developed arthritis in their kneecap. If you have this condition, you may feel pain behind or around your kneecap.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease — This condition occurs when your patellar tendon becomes inflamed and causes pain and swelling below your knee joint.

Other health conditions, such as infection or gout, can also cause discomfort in your knee.

Who Does Knee Pain Usually Affect?

Knee pain can affect anyone, regardless of their age. Those who are older are more susceptible to developing knee pain due to joint degeneration (osteoarthritis). Athletes who participate in certain sports, such as skiing, basketball, football, lacrosse, running, and more, are also at high risk of developing pain in the knee joints.

Knee Pain Symptoms

Knee pain symptoms may vary, depending on the location and severity of your condition, and can include:

Stiffness
Swelling
Weakness/instability
Inability to fully straighten your knee
Redness

When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

You should seek medical attention if:

You have severe pain after a fall or trauma
Your knee joint discomfort is causing instability, or you are unable to support your weight
Your knee is swollen
You are unable to extend your knee all the way
Your discomfort persists longer than a few days

Seeking the assistance of medical specialists as soon as possible can make all the difference in your healing process.

Diagnosis of Knee Pain

To provide you with an accurate diagnosis, your specialist will first review your medical history and complete a physical examination. During the examination, your doctor may perform several tests to identify the root cause of the discomfort. In addition, diagnostic images, such as X-rays, may be taken.

Knee Pain Treatment Options

Knee pain can be treated conservatively or by means of surgical repair. Some non-surgical treatment options may include:

Pain medication (including NSAIDs)
Physical therapy
Massage therapy
Localized injections

If your body does not respond to non-surgical treatment, then knee surgery may be recommended by your specialist. Knee surgery can range from a minimally invasive knee ablation procedure to a knee replacement.

Although knee pain can be debilitating, the good news is that various treatments and techniques are available to help you maintain the quality of life you love. Our expert medical specialists at Virgin Islands Neurology can assist you in finding the perfect individualized treatment plan that will best fit your needs.

Schedule an appointment at our U.S. Virgin Islands office today!