Knee Pain

Walking, climbing, and jumping can place a lot of stress on your knee joint. The daily strain placed on your knees makes them more susceptible to injury and damage that causes knee pain. At Kentucky Joint Specialists, located in Louisville, Kentucky, knee and shoulder expert Jennifer Blackburn, APRN, FNP-C, and the team take a patient-focused approach to care. They use advanced tools and techniques to diagnose and treat knee pain. Call the office today to receive treatment for knee pain, or book your appointment online.

What is knee pain?

Knee pain may include any discomfort in or around your knees. The pain may be a dull achy sensation you feel all the time or after certain activities or a sharp and severe pain that happens suddenly after a bad fall or a poorly landed jump. 

In many cases, knee pain isn’t a serious health issue and might be something you can manage at home. However, you should schedule a consultation with Kentucky Joint Specialists if your knee pain affects your daily life or fails to improve with at-home care.

You should also seek expert help for any knee pain after a sports injury or accident. 

What are the common causes of knee pain?

Your knee is a large and complex joint. Knee pain may develop from any disease or damage to one or more of the components that make up your knee. 

Common causes of knee pain include:

• Arthritis
• Fractures
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
• Strains or sprains
• Dislocation
• Bursitis
• Patellar tendonitis
• Loose body
• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Foot and ankle pain
• Hip pain

Certain sports and occupations increase your risk of developing knee pain, such as downhill skiing and construction work. Carrying excess body weight also places extra stress and strain on your knees, which may cause knee pain. 

How is knee pain diagnosed?

When you visit Kentucky Joint Specialists with concerns about knee pain, your joint care and pain management specialist conducts a thorough evaluation so you get an accurate diagnosis.

During your exam, your provider asks detailed questions about your knee pain, including the type of pain you feel, when it started, and activities that worsen or lessen your pain. They also review your medical history and daily routine.

Your provider performs a physical exam, paying close attention to the knee, causing your discomfort. To confirm or rule out a diagnosis, your provider runs various diagnostic tests, such as lab work, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. 

How is knee pain treated?

Your provider creates a personalized treatment plan for your knee pain based on your diagnosis, symptoms, daily activities, and medical history. 

The team begins with a conservative approach to remedy knee pain. They may initially recommend:

• Activity modification
• Icing
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy
• Splinting or bracing
• Corticosteroid injections
• Viscosupplementation injections
• Custom-made orthotics

If conservative measures fail to improve your knee pain, your provider will discuss possible options that best suit you and your needs. 

To schedule your knee pain evaluation, call Kentucky Joint Specialists or book an appointment online today.