If knee pain is holding you back, the healthcare professionals at Burghealth Physical Medicine can help you get back into action! Understanding the complex biomechanics related to the knee allows us to properly diagnose and treat the root cause of your knee pain using advanced care solutions and responsible pain management. Learn more about what is causing your knee pain and how we can help at our St. Petersburg, FL advanced care center.
Knee Pain Explained
One of the strongest and most complex joints in your body, the knee handles a considerable amount of strain, stress, and wear and tear throughout the day. Not only do your knees carry your full body weight with every step you take, but they also support five times that amount as you exercise or perform everyday movements like going up the stairs!
What are the symptoms of knee pain?
Symptoms of knee pain vary in type and severity, ranging from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. The most common symptoms include:
- Stiffness in the knee after long periods of rest
- Pain during and/or after exercise
- Sore joints after inactivity and/or overuse
- Discomfort while bending your knee
- The feeling of grinding or popping as you flex or bend your knee
- Pain from everyday movements such as getting up from a chair or going up and down stairs
- Loss of balance due to stiffness and pain
- Weakened muscles in your legs
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not wait. Delaying treatment will impact your recovery or possibly cause irreversible damage.
What causes knee pain?
There are many reasons why knee pain occurs, but no matter the cause, a proper diagnosis is vital to the outcome of your recovery. The most common causes of knee pain include:
Degeneration: A form of arthritis called osteoarthritis that is caused by a breakdown of cartilage in the knee that no longer cushions the joint, also known as “Creaky Knee Syndrome”.
Ligament Tear: A tear in the ligament (the soft tissue that attaches bones to one another) that causes significant joint instability and constant wear and tear.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear: Injury caused by a rapid change in direction or an improper landing on a jump, the most common type of sports injury.
Posterior Cruciate (PCL) Tear: A blow to the front of the knee while the knee is bent, a common injury resulting from a car accident.
Meniscal (Cartilage) Tear: Tearing of the meniscus (the cushion between the two big bones of your knee), typically caused by a sports injury or as a result of chronic knee arthritis.
Medical Collateral Ligament (MCL) Sprain: A ligament tear on the inside of the knee caused by a twisting motion or direct hit.
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Sprain: A ligament tear on the outside of the knee, also caused by twisting motion or direct hit.
Bursitis: When the bursa (the soft tissue that cushions the knee) fills with fluid and becomes swollen causing redness and sensitivity, often the result of a fall or excessive kneeling.
Tendonitis: When the tendons in your knee become damaged from overuse and cause pain along the front of your knee.
Obesity: Excessive weight that places stress on the knee and causes constant wear and tear.
How is knee pain treated?
The healthcare professionals at Burghealth Physical Medicine treat knee pain with individualized advanced care solutions and responsible pain management using non-drug and non-surgical treatments.
