Knee Pain Treatment Options in New York City

What is knee pain?

Joints are points in your body where two bones connect, providing your body with range of motion and flexibility. Your knee is a joint that is composed of three parts: the tibia, patella, and femur. The tibia, commonly known as the shinbone, is a large bone that extends from your ankle to your knee. The femur, also known as the thighbone, is the longest and strongest bone in your body and stretches from the lower end of your pelvis to your kneecap. The knee joint, also referred to as the tibiofemoral joint, forms where the tibia and femur meet. The patella, also known as your kneecap, sits atop the femur and protects the knee joint. Together, these bones form one of the strongest and most essential joints in your body.

Knee pain, which is defined as any pain experienced in the knee, may be an indication that there is an issue with your knee joint. The pain can be temporary or it can be chronic, meaning an ongoing pain that lasts greater than three months. Knee pain can occur suddenly as the result of a traumatic injury, or it can occur over time as the knee is stressed or overworked. You may also experience knee pain if you have certain conditions, such as arthritis.

Severe or persistent knee pain may impact your mobility and overall quality of life. At David Mayman MD, we offer cutting-edge solutions such as partial and total knee replacement procedures to help restore damaged knee joints, alleviating knee pain, restoring mobility, and helping you get back in the game.

What causes knee pain?

Knee pain typically occurs when the knee becomes damaged in some way, shape, or form. Damage to the knee can occur suddenly due to injury or trauma, or it can occur slowly over time from recurring stress to the knee. Knee pain can also occur as a result of certain conditions and diseases that can wear away at the knee joint, cause joint infections, inflammation, or other joint-related problems.

One of the top causes of knee pain is arthritis, a condition that affects the joints and can wear away at the cartilage in your knee joints, causing bones to scrape against each other and making movement difficult and sometimes unbearable. There are many types of arthritis that can impact your knee, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Infectious arthritis
• Juvenile arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis

Another common cause for knee pain includes knee injuries. A knee injury can occur if you are involved in certain sports, activities, or an accident. Common knee-related injuries include:

• Meniscal injury
• ACL and PCL injury
• Tendon injuries
• Knee fracture
• Dislocated kneecap

Knee pain symptoms

Along with pain in the affected knee, other symptoms of a damaged, injured, or deteriorating knee joint may include:

• High level of swelling
• Affected area is red
• Affected area is warm or tender
• Fever

Speak with your doctor immediately if you:

• Notice a malformation of the knee joint
• Are unable to stand
• Are in excruciating pain
• Notice a sudden onset of swelling

Not all pain felt in the knee is the result of damage to the knee joint. An assessment by your doctor can help you learn whether your knee pain is joint-related.

How can my doctor diagnose the cause of my knee pain?

To help determine the cause of your knee pain, your doctor may begin by asking you to describe your medical history and any symptoms that you have been experiencing. Your doctor may also perform a physical and evaluate the mobility of your joint through observation of your gait or other physical motions. To obtain a detailed view of the affected knee and help confirm a diagnosis, an X-ray, MRI, or CAT scan may also be required. If your doctor determines arthritis to be the cause of your knee pain, additional testing may be performed to diagnose which type of arthritis is affecting your knee.

How is knee pain treated?

If you are experiencing persistent or severe knee pain when walking, bending, or engaging in other activities, treatment options for pain relief are available. Depending on the extent of damage and its cause, knee pain may be alleviated through self-care and conservative treatment methods. If you have a slight injury to the knee or mild arthritis, self-care and conservative treatment options may include:

• Resting
• Avoiding high-impact activities
• Icing the affected area a few times in the day for 15–20 minute intervals
• Wrapping compression bandages around the knee to bring down and prevent further swelling
• Elevating the affected knee to contain swelling and help alleviate pain
• Knee-strengthening exercises
• Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Certain medications
• Corticosteroid or other injections

For ongoing or severe knee pain that interferes with your daily life, your doctor may recommend a partial or total knee replacement to help alleviate pain, restore your mobility, and get you back in the game. Click the buttons below to learn more about knee pain treatment solutions offered at David Mayman MD:

If you are experiencing knee pain that is interfering with your daily activities, a consultation with an experienced orthopaedic specialist may be the first step towards helping you regain mobility, return to your normal daily activities, and get back in the game. Here, at our practice, Dr. David Mayman provides personalized treatment solutions paired with cutting-edge technology to deliver total patient care and optimal results. Call 212.774.2024 to schedule an appointment.