Sports medicine treatments can target knee pain. The type of treatment depends on the root cause of the discomfort. Your doctor will diagnose you properly. Then, you will discuss the different types of knee pain treatment available. If you want to know the different kinds of sports medicine treatments for knee pain, here are the details.
What knee pain is
Knee pain is a common sign of injury, especially among athletes. It can spread throughout the entire knee or stay in a specific area. This limits the individual’s movements. The doctor will evaluate and diagnose the individual. Targeting the main cause of the injury can end the pain.
Pain can come from one of the bony components in the knee joint or kneecap. It can also originate from the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. The discomfort can worsen with obesity, movements, and another injury. Home remedies can help unless the patient develops severe pain.
Signs and symptoms
An individual with knee pain often has difficulty walking because of the knee’s instability. The knee may lock, with swelling and redness. Ligament damage may cause difficulty in walking up and down steps. Weight shifting and knee extension can be difficult as well. The person often limps while walking.
Therapy
Sports medicine can strengthen the muscles around the knee. This treatment can stabilize the knee. The doctor will determine the root cause of the pain. From there, the doctor will recommend exercises to target the problem. These exercises can also improve the patient’s balance and flexibility.
Providing arch support is part of sports medicine therapy. In some cases, placing wedges on one side of the heel can remove the pressure from that side of the knee. Different braces can also help the pain. These tools can help support and protect the knee joint.
Different medications
Taking pain relievers is the most common way to deal with knee pain. The strength of the medication depends on the doctor’s evaluation. It also depends on the level of pain the patient experiences. These medications can also target gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Injections
Sports medicine treatments for knee pain can also include injecting medications. These injections can provide immediate relief to the joint. Hyaluronic acid shots can lubricate the knee joint. This can relieve pain and improve the patient’s mobility for about six months.
Corticosteroid injections can also help reduce joint pain and inflammation. The effects may last for a few months. Platelet-rich plasma has growth factors capable of promoting healing. It can also reduce inflammation.
Surgery
Knee pain may also result from severe injury. Surgery can repair the damage, but this does not need to happen right away. Non-surgical and surgical options are available. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Below are the types of surgery that can help improve knee pain:
- Partial knee replacement surgery can replace the most injured part of the knee with plastic and metal parts. The doctor can make small incisions during this surgery. The patient can heal right away with this type of surgery.
- Arthroscopic surgery will use a fiber-optic camera and perform the surgery with long tools. The doctor will make tiny incisions in the knee and insert the tools to remove the damaged or loose particles in the knee. This surgery can also help reconstruct the torn ligaments.
- An osteotomy is a form of surgery in sports medicine. It can remove the bone from the shinbone or thighbone. The procedure aims to straighten the knee. It can also relieve knee pain. This can prevent or delay a complete knee replacement surgery.
- Total knee replacement involves cutting away the damaged cartilage and bone from the kneecap, thighbone, and shinbone. The sports medicine procedure will replace them with an artificial joint. This synthetic joint is often made from polymers, metal alloys, and high-grade plastics.
Root causes of knee injuries
The most common cause of knee pain in athletes is patellofemoral pain syndrome. The individual experiences pain in front of the knee. Overuse of or trauma to the patellofemoral joint is the trigger for this syndrome. This condition is also known as the runner’s knee. Jumper’s knee can also cause knee pain. This condition involves pain in the patellar tendon, which connects the shinbone and patella.
Knee pain can go away with effective sports medicine treatments
Constant physical activity from contact sports can result in knee pain. Any discomfort must go through an evaluation and receive prompt treatment. Sports medicine can target the cause of your knee pain. Working with your doctor can help determine which treatment will fit your needs the most.
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