The knee is composed of three bones: the femur, tibia, and patella.
Bones in the knee are connected by the synovial joint. Described as a hinge joint, the two subsections of the mechanism, the tibiofemoral joint, and patellofemoral joint, give the knee its flexibility and agility.
Tendons and ligaments hug the bones and joints in the knee, while between these intricate pieces lay cartilage that aids in promoting painless movements as the knee bones glide over one another.
All ages pose a risk for knee pain as the area is incredibly sensitive and easily injured. Young athletes and active children have a higher risk of developing early-onset knee pain from their lifestyles.
On the other hand, roughly 25% of all adults will experience ongoing knee pain at some point in their lives.
Knee pain can feel debilitating because of all the restrictions a limited knee puts on the human body. Recovering the mobility you once had is possible, and with the right help, you can make rapid improvements in your knee’s range of motion.
At Optimum Health Rehabilitation Center, we focus on understanding the unique needs of each patient to individualize knee pain treatment in Tucker.
Carrying the burden of numbness and tingling sensations quickly becomes exhausting, but our relief specialists can help lift some of that weight off of your shoulders. Take control of your health with the resources available from our local team of professionals.
To speak with a trusted member of our team, contact us online or call (404) 793-1600.
Effective Forms of Knee Pain Treatment
Knee pain typically stems from inflammation, which can further weaken the strength of your irritated joints. Even though knee pain affects roughly a quarter of adults at one point or another, you don’t have to conform to the pain!
There are many ways to relieve knee pain and the degenerative effects it can have on your body, but the journey can begin to feel like a self-conducted experiment after investing in a long trial-and-error process.
Like most attempts in searching for pain relief, treating discomfort in the knees typically begins at home. Pills, patches, and topical creams are the most convenient and easily accessible options to target mild inflammation and irritation, but these methods can only target the surface-level symptoms of the pain, leaving the sufferer to choose between rationing usage or building a quick tolerance.
Painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin are the most common pills to fight knee pain and can be a beneficiary supplement to other treatment options to prevent flare-ups of inflammation.
The best way to approach knee pain treatment is to tackle the root of the problem head-on. Optimum Health has a plethora of non-invasive services to make treating chronic pain more comfortable and convenient.
For example, physical therapy is a non-invasive, clinically proven treatment method that promotes healing within the body by using a combination of techniques, including manual manipulation, therapeutic stretching, and mechanical traction.
Our wellness facility also offers other services like regenerative therapy. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are especially useful for tendon or ligament damage, encouraging rapid repair.
To find the right approach for remedying your ongoing knee pain, you can work with a wellness specialist from Optimum Health that may utilize diagnostic tests like X-rays and MRI scans to assess your pain more thoroughly and develop a comprehensive action plan.
What Can Cause Knee Pain?
The knee is considered to be one of the biggest and most complex joints in the body, and because you use it so much, it is incredibly vulnerable to injuries, degeneration, and overexertion.
Factors like age, previous injuries, family history, diet, and lifestyle can all contribute to discomfort. There are many causes for persistent knee pain, and many of the most common can be treated locally in Tucker by a wellness specialist at Optimum Health.
Some common causes of knee pain include the following:
- Torn meniscus: Between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) sits rubbery cartilage that allows for smooth movements when we flex and move our knees. A tear in the meniscus is most common in athletes like basketball players but can happen simply when a person rotates forcefully. This can cause pain, stiffness, and resistance when extending the knee.
- Knee bursitis: To reduce the pressure on your knees, the bursae – fluid-filled sacs that cushion the outside of the knee joint – will act as cushions and assist tendons and ligaments for effortless movements. Knee bursitis is inflammation in these sacs that can cause pain and reduce mobility. Generally, the first symptoms of knee bursitis are warmth and swelling around the affected area.
- ACL injury: One of the knees’ most sensitive areas, the anterior cruciate ligament’s (ACL) sensitivity and specificity range is between 78 and 86% and 88 and 100%, respectively. The ACL is one of four ligaments that connect the thigh bone to the shinbone, and injuries are known to be extremely painful and have an extensive recovery time of six to nine months. Most commonly, a tear in the ACL is due to a sudden, sharp, twisting movement that shocks the ligament. Recovering from an ACL injury takes the proper balance of rest and therapeutic stretching.
- Fractures: A patellar fracture is a break in the kneecap, which is most common after an auto accident or fall. The tibia and femur can also be fractured, but these injuries are less common. Certain conditions like types of arthritis or osteoporosis can cause a decrease in bone density which make a person more likely to endure this type of injury.
- Patellar tendinitis: Tendinitis can affect nearly any tendon in the body but is most common in the knees, shoulders, and wrists. Also known as Jumper’s Knee, patellar tendinitis is the inflammation of the tissue that connects the kneecap to the shinbone and can result in pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Athletes like runners, cyclists, and basketball players are especially vulnerable to this type of injury, but it can happen to anyone who overexerts their knees, putting excessive strain on the front of the joint.
- Arthritis: Arthritis can look different for everyone. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, and many of these can affect the knees in different ways. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is the degenerative ‘wear and tear’ condition that simply accounts for all of the use over the years. On the other hand, another common type of arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis – is an auto-immune condition that attacks the resilience of your body’s tissue. While there is no treatment for arthritis, you can manage the symptoms of these chronic conditions with things like anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and regenerative therapy.
When Should I See a Doctor For Knee Pain?
Because knee pain is so common and can be the result of injuries like overexertion or degeneration, medical intervention is not typically required. These causes are typically managed with rest, diet, and physical therapy, so an emergency care provider may not be able to do much.
To combat the symptoms of ongoing knee pain, physical therapy and rehabilitation are the most common proactive treatment methods that target and treat the cause of the symptoms to help your body heal painful symptoms.
If your pain is worsening or paired with symptoms like stiffness or warmth, a check-up may be beneficial to utilize a consultation with your doctor.
If are experiencing any of the following, immediate medical attention may be in your best interest:
- Pain is caused by an injury
- Popping noise at the time of injury
- Sudden swelling
- The joint appears to be deformed
- Unable to put weight or pressure on the knee
Preventing Knee Pain
Avoiding long-term knee pain can mean focusing on preventative care that strengthens your knees over time and helps promote resilience in the joints, tendons, and ligaments.
Certain lifestyle changes can greatly impact prevention in the long run, especially by committing to practicing these tips daily. The following habitual changes are effective in lowering a person’s risk of developing painful discomfort in the knees:
- Quit smoking
- Exercise consistently
- Stretch before and after you work out
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Maintain a healthy weight
Optimum Health in Tucker Can Help You Rehabilitate From Persistent Knee Pain
Managing knee pain can have an exhausting effect on the body. Instead of conforming to a life with knee pain, work with a wellness specialist to create an action plan for your healing journey.
Having a team of experienced allies on your side to walk you through the steps of your healing journey can make all the difference in the quality of relief.
The pain relief specialists at Optimum Health in Tucker are standing by to help you. When you work with our rehabilitation facility, we’ll personalize an action plan that targets, relieves, and prevents further knee pain.
Our staff is committed to providing aid for each patient that we see and is dedicated to their long-term wellness. To get in touch with a trusted member of our team, contact us online or call (404)793-1600.