About
Knee and leg pain are common complaints in people of all ages. The source of pain may be from a sudden injury, an overuse injury or an underlying condition, such as arthritis. Knee pain, swelling and stiffness can severely limit function and activity. There are multiple causes of knee pain including ligament injuries, meniscus tears, cartilage injury, tendinitis, bursitis, and arthritis. Frequently the cause of the pain can be determined with an examination and x-rays. If further imaging is needed an MRI may be considered. As with any medical problem, the first step is to determine what is causing the pain. From there a treatment plan can be formulated to address the problem. Commonly, the problem can be treated with conservative measures such as physical therapy, bracing or injection. Occasionally surgery may be required to adequately address the problem.
Conditions
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Causes of knee pain
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Treatment
Treatment options vary for different underlying problems of the knee. Many problems can be managed with conservative measures including:
- physical therapy
- anti-inflammatory medications or tylenol
- injections including cortisone and viscosupplementation (gel)
- bracing
- alternative treatments
If conservative care is unsuccessful or in certain cases of severe disease or deformity, surgery may be indicated to cure the problem.
- physical therapy
- anti-inflammatory medications or tylenol
- injections including cortisone and viscosupplementation (gel)
- bracing
- alternative treatments
If conservative care is unsuccessful or in certain cases of severe disease or deformity, surgery may be indicated to cure the problem.