Knee Pain Treatment

Knee pain can affect your ability to walk up the stairs, live an active lifestyle, or simply enjoy a walk around the neighborhood. Discover how our knee specialists can help treat your conditions, relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms of Knee Conditions

Knee pain can start for several different reasons. It could be from an injury, like a ligament tear or torn cartilage. It could happen from everyday wear and tear or caused by arthritis. Or maybe you overdid it running after your grandkids in the park.

But if you've been experiencing persistent discomfort, it might be time to speak with a doctor about your knee pain.

Schedule an appointment if your injury is caused by a forceful impact or is accompanied by:

• Significant pain or swelling that does not improve within 48 hours
• Persistent tenderness or warmth around the knee joint
• Increasing swelling or redness around the knee joint or calf area
• Inability to walk without pain

Seek immediate treatment at an urgent care or emergency room if you:

• Can’t put weight on your knee or you feel your knee is going to give out
• Are unable to flex or fully extend your knee
• Heard a popping noise when your injury occurred
• See a deformity around the joint
• Have intense pain or sudden swelling in the knee, behind the knee, or within the kneecap

Types of Knee Conditions

Due to its complex structure and the constant stress this joint endures, knee pain can be caused by a wide range of injuries and conditions. It can make a huge difference to seek knee pain treatment early, because a trained specialist can identify the source of the discomfort and make the best recommendations for effective care.

At Virtua, our experienced team of knee specialists can evaluate, diagnose, and treat a variety of knee conditions, including:

• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament, located in the center of the knee) injuries
• Ligament tears, including PCL (posterior cruciate ligament that controls backward movement); MCL (medial collateral ligament that gives stability to the inner knee); LCL (lateral collateral ligament that stabilizes the outer knee)
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Tendinitis
• Meniscus tears
• Bursitis

Our Approach to Knee Pain

During your initial consultation, our specialists will perform a thorough physical exam of your knee. We'll inspect your knee for pain, swelling, tenderness, and visible bruising. We'll measure your range of motion and gauge the integrity of your knee.

From there, we might recommend additional testing to confirm a diagnosis, including:

• X-ray: We typically use X-rays to assess knee arthritis or to confirm fractures and breaks. They are often used as a first step to evaluate several other knee conditions as well.
• CT scan: This test allows us to capture clear images of bones, muscles, and fat in your knee.  CT scans are helpful in detecting severe knee injuries, like bone fractures, dislocations, and other serious conditions.
• MRI: Here, we use large magnets and radio frequencies to capture images of your tendons, ligaments, vessels, and nerves in your knee. MRIs can help us detect injuries and abnormalities in these soft tissues.
• Ultrasound: We might order an ultrasound to see how your blood is flowing through your knee. They are also used for evaluating and diagnosing soft tissue injuries.

Knee Pain Treatment

Your knees are one of the most complex joints in your body. They absorb shock and stress each and every day, which can make injuries and conditions incredibly common.

At Virtua, our team of knee specialists includes joint replacement surgeons, sports medicine specialists and surgeons, pain management physicians, physical therapists, and many others. We connect you with the right doctor for you, who will develop a personalized knee pain treatment plan based on your goals, lifestyle, and individual needs. Depending on the severity of your knee pain, here's how we might approach your care:

• Rest: We might start with a period of rest, ice, and moderate activity. How your knee responds could impact next steps.
• Medication: Anti-inflammatory medications could ease swelling and help with arthritis-related knee symptoms and several other knee conditions. We can also help manage and modify prescriptions as needed.
• Physical therapy: Our team of therapists will develop exercises and strength-building activities designed to improve motion and relieve pain.
• Arthroscopic knee surgery: From injured ligaments and tendons to cartilage damage, surgery might be the best option, mainly if conservative treatments are no longer effective. At Virtua, our sports medicine surgeons specialize in minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures to address your unique needs.
• Knee replacement: As regional and national leaders in minimally invasive and robotic assisted surgery, Virtua Reconstructive Orthopedics surgeons provide various knee replacement options, including minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery, to help you feel your best again.