What is knee pain?
Your knee joint consists of muscles, tendons, bones, ligaments, and cartilage. It connects your upper to your lower legs. Knee pain is a feeling of discomfort in your knee joint that might feel like:
- Dull, aching pain
- Sharp pain
- Joint stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
- Knee weakness
- Instability
- Popping or crunching sounds
- Inability to bear weight on your knee
If your knee pain is severe or long-lasting, see Dr. Racz and his team for an evaluation.
What are the risk factors for knee pain?
Common causes and risk factors for experiencing knee pain include:
- Fractures
- ACL injuries
- Kneecap dislocation
- Torn meniscus
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Arthritis
- Previous knee injuries
- Obesity
- Muscle weakness
- Sports or work-related injuries
Ways to reduce your risk of knee pain include getting regular exercise, eating nutritious foods, and maintaining a healthy weight.
How does my doctor diagnose the cause of knee pain?
To find the root cause of knee pain and develop a treatment plan, Dr. Racz reviews your symptoms and medical history. He examines your knees and other joints and may suggest you undergo blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, or ultrasounds.
What are typical knee pain treatments?
Typical knee pain treatments include:
Home remedies
Home remedies that help reduce knee pain and inflammation include ice or heat packs, wearing a brace, rest, compression, and elevation.
Physical therapy
Knee-strengthening exercises and stretches can accelerate healing and reduce your risk of future knee problems.
Injections
Steroids, hyaluronic acid, and nerve block injections can reduce knee pain and inflammation. Dr. Racz first numbs the treatment area, so you don’t feel any discomfort.
Regenerative medicine
Regenerative medicine injections use revolutionary stem cells or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) sourced from your blood to stimulate cell regeneration and natural healing. To isolate PRP from the rest of your blood, Dr. Racz takes a blood sample from your arm and spins it in a centrifuge.
Surgery
If knee pain doesn’t subside with other treatments or you have a severe knee injury, Dr. Racz may recommend you undergo a surgical procedure to repair the joint, remove diseased tissue, or replace your knee joint.
Don’t let knee pain prevent you from staying active or completing simple everyday tasks. Schedule an appointment with Racz Pain Centers by phone or book online today for knee pain relief.
