Knee pain can range from mild discomfort to debilitating agony, and unfortunately, it’s an all too common complaint. Knee pain from osteoarthritis affects 654 million people worldwide, but that’s just one potential cause of knee pain.
While some knee pain may resolve independently with rest and home remedies, certain symptoms warrant expert evaluation and care. David Dickerson, MD, and Shawn Denning, DNP, APN, encourage you to visit us at Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine if your pain lasts over a day or two.
Take a moment as the team highlights the five signs that your knee pain requires expert evaluation.
If you experience persistent knee pain that doesn't improve with rest, ice, compression, and elevation — also known as the RICE method — it may indicate an underlying issue that requires medical intervention.
Chronic or recurring pain could indicate conditions such as osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, or cartilage damage.
Swelling and inflammation around your knee joint are common symptoms of various knee injuries and conditions, including ligament tears, meniscus tears, and bursitis. Sudden swelling may be more indicative of an acute injury, while persistent swelling (accompanied by joint stiffness) could be a sign of arthritis.
In either case, if your knee appears swollen, red, or warm to the touch, it may indicate a more serious underlying problem that requires evaluation.
Limited range of motion can also signal an underlying problem. You might notice that it’s harder to bend your knee, you can’t fully straighten it, or you just can move it as much as you used to move it.
Tendonitis, patellofemoral syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis are examples of orthopedic conditions that can impair your knee mobility and function.
Feeling instability or weakness in your knee — particularly during weight-bearing activities or sudden movements — suggests ligamentous laxity or muscle weakness. Some people describe this sensation as their knees giving out on them.
Ligament injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and muscle imbalances, can compromise knee stability. Left untreated, ligament injuries (and even laxity) can increase your risk of further injury.
If your knee joint feels stuck or gets "stuck" during movement, it could indicate a mechanical issue such as a meniscus tear. You might feel as if your knee “snags” or “catches” when you walk. As your condition progresses, your knee might just lock up altogether.
While at-home care can temporarily help ease your pain, expert orthopedic care can help diagnose the root cause of your pain and help you find lasting relief. Your Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine provider examines your knee, reviews your symptoms, and orders diagnostic imaging, such as MRI, to identify the underlying cause accurately.
In addition to an x-ray or MRI, you may also benefit from arthroscopy — a procedure that allows our team to see inside your knee joint to diagnose the cause of your symptoms. Arthroscopy requires only a small incision. Your surgeon slides a fiber optic camera and pencil-thin tools through this incision. When applicable, they can also use arthroscopy to surgically repair damaged joint structures using a system of small tools and guided cameras.
Depending on your final diagnosis, our team may recommend:
If you need a full joint replacement, our team uses the Mako total knee replacement — a system that uses the Mako system to create a 3D model of your knee, which is then used to create a personalized surgical plan.
If your knee injury resulted from a sports injury, our team can also help formulate a return-to-play plan so you can get back to the game you love — safely!
Don’t power through knee pain alone; our team is here for you! Call the Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at 732-691-4898 to reach either our Toms River or Shrewsbury, New Jersey, office. You can also click here to request an appointment online today.
