Explore Your Best Options for Relief from This All-Too-Common Condition
Knee pain is not easy to ignore. After all, we use our knees to stand, move and walk. As a result, this common condition can interfere with nearly all the ways you move and, ultimately, negatively impact your quality of life.
Common causes of knee pain
Knee pain is typically broken out into two common types:
- Sudden, sharp pain. This usually results from an injury, including a bone fracture or a tear in the ligament in the knee.
- Persistent, dull and aching pain. This kind of pain may be a sign of overuse, but the most common culprit is osteoarthritis (OA).
Understanding osteoarthritis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and it may be the cause of that pain, stiffness and swelling you are feeling in your knee. Known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, OA is the most common cause of knee pain, especially in older adults. Over time, it can lead to changes in bone, cartilage and other joint tissues. According to the CDC, it affects about 33 million adults in the United States.
Know your risk factors
There are a number of things that can put you at increased risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:
- Repetitive stress or injuries
- Obesity
- Family history
- Advanced age
- Gender (women are more likely to be impacted)
At-home options for relief
If you are experiencing knee pain, your doctor may recommend you begin treating it with:
- Rest
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Ice on the affected area
If osteoarthritis is the cause, you may also benefit from:
- Being more physically active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Protecting your joints
- Talking to a healthcare provider about your symptoms and options
Serious pain, including pain that persists for more than a week, or pain that frequently comes back, is a sign to see a doctor.
If left untreated, knee pain can worsen over time, making it more difficult to treat in the long run.
Surgical options for knee pain
If your knee pain is due to a serious condition, it may be time to consider surgery. Common surgical options and procedures include:
- Arthroscopic surgery: This is a minimally invasive surgery often used to diagnose knee problems and make minor repairs to ligaments or tendons.
- Partial knee replacement: This procedure replaces damaged cartilage in the knees and bone on the affected area, it is only recommended when a part of the knee is damaged.
- Total knee replacement: A total knee replacement may be recommended if the entire knee is affected by severe arthritis or a critical knee injury.
- ACL reconstruction: This procedure treats a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with a graft. ACL tears are common injuries in sports and high-impact activities.
- Osteotomy: This procedure realigns the knee joint to shift the weight and pressure from knees damaged onto the healthier side. This procedure is typically used primarily on younger candidates.
Improving your quality of life
While individual results may vary, knee surgery can improve quality of life for both young and older patients. Satisfaction with knee surgery was over 85% regardless of age and as high as 96% among older patients*. When the surgery is followed by recommended physical therapy, patients can enjoy a greater range of motion and decrease in pain.
If you are suffering from knee pain, it may be time to consider surgery. Talk to a doctor today about your concerns.