Knee Pain Doctor Exton, PA
The knee is the largest joint in our bodies. It is also the most complex. When a person is suffering from knee pain, it can have a significant impact on their ability to do day-to-day activities and even their overall quality of life. If you live in Pennsylvania and are suffering from knee pain, it may be time to consult with a knee pain doctor in Exton, PA.
Causes of Knee Pain
There are a number of conditions that can trigger chronic and long-term knee pain. There are also different types of knee pain and the kind of pain you may be suffering from will help your knee pain doctor determine what medical condition you are suffering from and develop a treatment plan to bring you relief.
Arthritis
The knee is the joint that is most frequently affected by arthritis. When an older person has sharp pains in their kneecap, especially when kneeling, but has not had any incident or accident that would indicate an injury, it is usually an indication that they probably have arthritis of the knee.
Osgood-Schlatter
If a teenager has knee pain in the kneecap area when kneeling, this may be a strong indicator that they have a condition called Osgood-Schlatter. This condition often develops in teens who are going through growth spurts and are also very active in sports or other physical activities. The condition causes tension and inflammation right below the kneecap, in the area where the patella tendon is attached to the knee. In some cases, the child may even develop a bony lump in that area.
Bursitis
Many patients come to an Exton, PA knee pain doctor for relief because they are suffering burning in the knees, especially when they kneel. Burning is a strong indicator that there is something that is being compressed inside or in the area surrounding the knee joint. Most likely, it is the small fluid-filled sac (bursa) near the knee joint that has become inflamed. Bursae reduce friction and act as a cushion for the pressure points between bones and the tendons, muscles, and skin around the joints. This inflammation and painful condition is referred to as knee bursitis.
Meniscus Injury
A stinging pain can also indicate that the patient has developed bursitis, however, there is also the possibility that they have suffered some kind of injury to the nerves or a tear to the meniscus.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
When a patient comes to a knee pain doctor complaining of sharp pains on the outside of the knee, this is usually caused by iliotibial band syndrome. The iliotibial band is a long thick band that runs down the outer thigh and is attached to the outer knee. It can become inflamed, and this is what causes the sharp pain.
Myths about Knee Pain
If you are living with knee pain, you may feel like this is a distinct personal problem that only you have, however, the CDC says that the number of people with joint pain is on the rise. So while it is not fun to have knee pain, you should know you were not alone. However there are a lot of myths out there about knee pain, and when it comes to separating the fact from the myth, a lot of people don’t know where to start. This is a very common issue in dealing with myths about medical conditions, and that’s okay because we are here to tell you some of the myths that you should avoid and help you recognize others.
Myth number one says that individuals who have knee pain must decrease their physical activity because physical activity produces added pressure to the joints and exacerbates the issue. This is not true. While the level of activity needed for each person is going to vary, because of variables that your doctor will take into account, it is actually good to have an active lifestyle or as active of a lifestyle as you can manage even if you experience knee pain. This is because, if you are suffering from knee pain and you’ve heard this method and you’re probably limiting your activity and you may not get enough movement in your daily life because of the aches and pains and decreased mobility and cause worse joint issues as you get older. So talk to your knee pain doctor about the type of activity you are able to do, and the type of activity level you should aim for, and keep in mind that typically people experiencing joint pain should opt for movements that do not have a repeat of impact. So perhaps try yoga, a stationary bike, or even swimming. Listen to your doctor if they recommend assisted movements such as physical therapy and chiropractic care.
Myth number two says that knee pain is caused by an earlier injury, most often caused by blunt trauma, repetitive strain or sports injuries. And this is not true. While a law of joint pain is caused by the conditions mentioned above, not every type of joint pain is caused by a condition such as those. It can be extremely helpful to determine if you have experienced a sports injury, or repetitive strain; however, a lot of joint pain is set in motion by genetic diseases that cause the cartilage in your body to break down quickly. You should always talk to your doctor, and you should always look for the underlying cause. One of the most common culprits of joint pain is a chronic degenerative joint disease, otherwise known as wear and tear arthritis, and this is the natural erosion of the cartilage in your body as you grow older and age.
How Can We Help?
If you are suffering from any type of knee pain, it is likely causing you distress and making it difficult to do all the activities you usually do. Call Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania to schedule an appointment with an Exton, PA knee pain doctor today.
Stem Cell Therapy and Knee Pain
Stem cell therapy is big in the news, but how can a knee pain doctor in Exton, Pennsylvania use stem cells to help you with your chronic knee pain? While stem cells seem like the cutting edge in medical science, they can be used for a variety of applications, including helping you regain a degree of motion and easing your frustrating, challenging knee pain. Read on to learn a little more about stem cells, and see how the specialists at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can use them to your benefit.
What Makes Stem Cells so Special?
Our body is made up of trillions of specialized cells, each designed to carry out a specific function. They are the building block of our bodies. But stem cells are a little different. Unlike, say, cells from your skin or liver, stem cells are blank slates. They exist, but they haven’t changed into any other kind of specialized cell – yet.
Because stem cells can grow into whatever kind of cell is needed, they have huge potential in medical applications. For example, stem cells have been used to regrow ears or repair damaged tissue, without requiring a transplant from a donor. Once stem cells are placed, they can divide, multiply, and grow just like the other cells around them. They’re an incredibly useful tool for helping with spinal cord injuries, heart disease, and disorders like Parkinson’s. But how can they help with your knee pain?
Stem Cell Injections
When you get in touch with a knee pain doctor in Exton, PA, you’ll go over your medical history and the nature of your knee pain. Your doctor can look through your records to determine the cause of your knee pain, or if you already have the information, your knee pain doctor will already be in the loop. From there, it’s all about the treatment and determining which treatment will be best for you.
If your knee pain is caused by bone degeneration or cartilage degeneration – such as osteoarthritis – you can greatly benefit from stem cell injections. Rather than relying on an invasive, expensive, and risky knee replacement or surgery, you and your knee pain doctor can use ultrasound to determine the spot at which your bone or cartilage degeneration is at its worst, and then inject stem cells directly to the joint.
You may not be in the market for a brand new ear or liver, but stem cell therapy can help you regenerate the tissues that have worn away in your knee. With an accurate stem cell injection, your knee pain doctor can help ease your knee pain without jumping straight to a risky surgery – and you can go back to living your best life without basing your activities around whether or not your knee may give out or your pain will flare-up.
How Can I Know I Need to Seek Treatment for Knee Pain?
Anyone can develop knee pain at some point in their life and a knee pain doctor Exton, PA, can help you. Those with a more active lifestyle are at great risk of suffering a painful knee injury. If you are experiencing pain and it is not going away with at-home treatment, then you should seek a doctor. If your knee pain is getting worse or limits your daily activities then you should seek medical treatment. Most knee pain will go away but if your knee pain isn’t then it is time to seek a doctor.
How Can I Treat Knee Pain at Home?
Treating your knee pain at home doesn’t have to be difficult. Many causes of knee pain are due to overuse or physical activity. Most of the injuries respond well to care you can provide at home. You should rest and avoid activities that aggravate the pain, especially weight-bearing activities. Apply ice every hour for 15 minutes on the first day. You should also keep your knee as elevated as possible to reduce swelling. You should gently compress your knee with an ace bandage or sleeve. Take some acetaminophen for pain or ibuprofen for pain and swelling.
How Can I Prevent Knee Pain?
One of the biggest questions is this one. As our bodies get older it can be harder to prevent knee pain but there are plenty of things that you can do to help. You should increase your activity level slowly and over time. Don’t start running, start with a walk to get your knees moving without too much compression on the joints. You should always warm up your joints before exercising and practice cooling down as well. Replace your shoes often to ensure that you have the best support for your knees possible.
How Do I Know My Knee Pain is Serious?
While most people can treat their knee pain at home there are some that can’t. Knowing when your knee pain is serious enough to seek medical attention is important. If you can’t bear weight on your knee or feel as if your knee is unstable then an Exton knee pain doctor is someone you should call. If you cannot fully extend or flex your knee then you should seek medical attention. If you have a fever, in addition to redness, pain, and swelling in your knee then you should take it seriously. It will not hurt for you to see a doctor to ensure that your knee pain isn’t serious.
How Long Does it Take Knee Pain To Go Away?
Typically, a mild injury such as a stretched or partially torn ligament, tendon, or muscle takes about two weeks to heal. Most minor injuries only need a few days to heal and then you can get back to lighter activity. If you return to your normal activity too soon after a knee injury then it can easily exacerbate the pain and cause more damage. You should allow your knee to rest, and if the pain doesn’t subside after a few days then you should talk to a doctor. If you have pain that isn’t leaving then don’t hesitate to reach out to an Exton knee pain doctor to learn more about what we can do for you here at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania.
Contact Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania Today
At Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania, we understand that knee pain can cause serious trouble at home, work, and anywhere in between. We also understand that invasive surgeries may mean lengthy recovery periods, without even getting to the root of the problem. If you’re dealing with knee pain, it’s important to learn all you can about your other options, and it’s important to get in touch with a knee pain doctor who really cares.
If you’re considering seeking treatment for your knee pain, or you’re just exploring your options before pulling the trigger on something more invasive and drastic, get in touch with Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania today. Look into stem cell therapy, and see how the right knee pain doctor in Exton, PA can help you get your life back.