Identifying the Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain can wax and wane without any apparent reason. For some people, it begins as a stabbing sensation which resolves over time; for others, the pain is dull but chronically escalating. And as we have recently learned, knee pain can be a harbinger of referred pain that spreads throughout the body.

Naming and describing knee pain properly is one of the keys to making a good diagnosis. The Chicago Tribune recently tackled this topic, reviewing some of the common questions you are likely to hear when you visit your doctor:

Faced with a painful knee, doctors will take a history: Did you injure yourself? Did you change your exercise regimen? “All can lead to inflammation of the knee,” says Damle, who has a private practice in Wakefield, R.I.

Your doctor will examine the knee. “You might see fluid buildup, a decrease in the range of motion or difficulty bearing weight,” Damle says. These symptoms may indicate a serious injury such as a ligament tear, which may prompt an MRI scan and a referral to an orthopedic surgeon.

That’s where I come in. As a leading San Diego orthopedic surgeon, I see a number of patients complaining of knee pain. Taking a history can help to dispel the mystery, but sometimes the onset is gradual and subtle enough that no one can pinpoint an immediate point of origin. That’s why I endeavor to learn as much as I can about each patient’s habits, lifestyle choices, and vocation to make a good diagnosis.

Orthopedic knee pain is a widespread problem; visiting an effective orthopedist can help. Reach out today to get the best treatment for knee pain in San Diego.

One Case Study for Treating Knee Pain

As an orthopedic expert, I am constantly reviewing the medical literature on how patients are able to escape chronically painful conditions of the shoulder, knee, and elbow.

Recently I came across one study that underscores some of the ways that orthopedic devices can supplement and even replace exercise, which is a boon to patients who don’t have the space or time to engage in vigorous physical therapy. The patient in question had knee pain and issues with the sacroiliac joint:

A computerized analysis showing how Jane walked provided the information we needed to appropriately calibrate therapeutic pods on the bottom of a special shoe to improve Jane’s joint loading pattern on the knee – redistributing pressure the knee takes from walking and retraining her neuromuscular function. After a few weeks on the therapy regimen, Jane’s pain improved, her body is appropriately compensating for the orthopedic issues associated with her osteoarthritis and she is able to jog again, as well as enjoy her service to her patients.

My offices proudly offer the vanguard in orthopedic treatments for knee pain, including access to the best medical devices in the marketplace. If you have pain in your knee that isn’t responding to rest or drugs, please contact orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Holland today.