Knee pain is very common. It is among the top reasons why many of our patients see our orthopedic surgeons here at Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine.
If you’re suffering from knee pain, you’re probably on this page in search of answers—or solutions. With that in mind, we’ve drawn up a list of some of the most common questions our providers get from our patients. Check out their answers:
Q: What causes knee pain?
Knee pain has many possible causes, the most common of which are fractures (broken bones), sprains and strains (overstretched ligaments and muscles), and knee arthritis. Knee pain can also be a result of ligament tears and tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons).
Q: Could my weight have contributed to my knee pain?
Your knee takes the brunt between your own body weight and the ground. With each step you take, your knee joints bear load two to four times your body weight. It makes sense to conclude that the heavier you weigh, the more strain gets placed on your knees.
Q: Aside from pain, what are the other symptoms of knee injuries and conditions?
If you sustained a knee injury, you may experience symptoms such as instability, limited mobility, loss of balance, a snapping sensation when you move your knee, stiffness, and swelling.
For knee arthritis, you may experience swelling, a feeling of warmth in the area, and stiffness that is typically worse in the morning.
Q: Does knee pain go away on its own?
Whether the pain would go away on its own would depend on the type of condition or injury that you have. With minor injuries like sprains and strains, the pain should slowly dissipate in a matter of days. Otherwise, you should take it as a sign of a serious injury.
Q: When do I need to see a doctor?
This would depend on the severity of your knee pain and other symptoms. Pay attention to what your body is telling you.
The following circumstances usually warrant medical attention:
- If you sustained an injury that has caused your knee to swell and reduced your range of motion
- If basic home remedies don’t provide satisfactory pain relief after several days
- If you develop a fever higher than 101 degrees
- If you notice a deformity after an injury
Q: Can knee pain be prevented?
Yes, it can. Apart from losing weight, you can prevent knee pain by building muscles around your knees—in the front and back of your thighs and in your calves.
Stretching helps you build muscles in the areas around your knees, providing it with support and ultimately alleviating the pressure and strain on your joints. If you don’t like to do stretching especially before a workout, you can protect your knees by gradually increasing the intensity of your exercise instead of going full speed right away.
High-Quality Knee Pain Treatment in San Antonio, TX
No matter how distressing your knee pain maybe, you’ll find it well worth your time to consult our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons at Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Our providers treat a wide variety of orthopedic conditions and injuries, such as those that cause knee pain. They will perform a thorough evaluation and order the necessary tests so as to come up with an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendation.
To book an appointment with any one of our orthopedic surgeons, call us today at (210) 692-7400 or use our online request form. We look forward to helping you put an end to your knee pain!
