When it comes to seeing a doctor for knee pain, Fox Valley residents do not want to hesitate. As soon as symptoms start, you want to make an appointment since many issues will get worse without treatment. Once you have an accurate diagnosis, you can work with your doctor to get on the mend.
How Knee Pain Can Manifest
Before you can determine the cause of your knee pain, you need to know how it can manifest so that you can more promptly identify the problem. You want to be specific concerning where the pain or other symptoms are, such as on your kneecap or the outer side of your knee. The following types of pain and discomfort can affect any part of the knee, depending on the cause:
- Stiffness and swelling
- Instability and weakness
- Inability to straighten out your knee
- Warm to the touch and redness
- Crunching or popping
Common Causes of Knee Pain
If you are active, there is always a risk of injury that you need to be aware of. There are a number of reasons you might experience knee pain. However, the most common causes in adults who are active typically include:
ACL Injury: This is a very common injury and one that can occur with limited trauma. When this occurs, the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee is damaged. In most cases, it is either torn or severely stretched. This injury is quite common in activities that require you to frequently change direction suddenly, such as soccer or basketball.
Torn Meniscus: This is another injury that is quite common and can occur with limited trauma. The meniscus is a cartilage that is rubbery and absorbs shock in your knee. It is located between your thighbone and shinbone. It you have weight on your knee and suddenly twist it, you can tear your meniscus.
Fractures: Falling directly onto your knee can fracture one of the bones in your knee, such as your kneecap. This is more common in older adults who have reduced bone density.
Knee Bursitis: This is an inflammatory issue that affects the bursa sacs in your knee. It can occur due to repetitive stress to your knees. The bursa sacs ensure that the bones in this joint move freely, so when it is inflamed, you can notice some issues with range of motion. Of course, pain and stiffness are also very common with this condition.
As you can see, knee pain should never be ignored, especially when you are active. Visit a doctor to get prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Have Questions?
Request a consultation with one of the knee specialists at the Orthopedic & Sports Institute. Call (920) 560-1000 or request an appointment online.
OSI has convenient locations to serve you. The campus in Appleton includes clinics, a surgery center, MRI, physical therapy, and a skilled nursing facility, as well as a walk-in clinic that provides care for new orthopedic injuries.
OSI has outreach clinics in New London, Ripon, Shawano, Waupaca, and the newest location serving the Green Bay area, inside the NOVO Health Clinic in De Pere.
OSI is a proud member of NOVO Health.