Knee Pain Doctor Norristown, PA
As an experienced knee pain doctor Norristown, PA patients trust can explain in great detail, there are a number of physical challenges that can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. At Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania, we treat all kinds of medical conditions but choose to highlight the struggles associated with osteoarthritis right in our name because we study and treat this condition with particular interest. We treat patients who have developed osteoarthritis as a result of advanced age, prior trauma, a sedentary lifestyle, rheumatological conditions, and other life circumstances.
Oftentimes, osteoarthritis develops either in middle age or in the advanced age phase of a person’s life. Essentially, over time, the cartilage around a joint (including knees, elbows, hips, and even fingers and wrists) degenerates. The underlying bone surrounding the affected joint may also deteriorate as a result of osteoarthritis. When this degeneration occurs, the inflammation, pain, and repetitive trauma that osteoarthritis causes can limit a person’s range of motion and functionality in the affected joint(s). Over time, this condition may evolve to the extent that bone can begin rubbing on bone.
Knee Pain Doctor – Norristown, PA
The Norristown, PA knee pain doctor team at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can effectively treat osteoarthritis in patients under certain circumstances. It is important to understand that once someone’s osteoarthritis has advanced past a certain point, joint replacement surgery or other surgical intervention may be necessary for any lasting pain management challenges to be effective. In such cases, our team can help patients in both a pre-operative and post-operative capacity to better ensure that the beneficial effects of such surgical intervention are experienced to a maximum degree.
With that said, there are ways to treat osteoarthritis in less advanced states that are non-surgical in nature. For example, our team regularly recommends physical therapy, occupational therapy, TENS stimulation, and knee injections. Not every patient requires multiple kinds of treatment, as every patient’s needs are unique and must be treated as such. If you schedule a risk-free consultation with our team, we can evaluate your unique situation and provide thoughtful, objective recommendations as to which kind(s) of therapy may benefit you most.
How We Treat Knee Pain
Whether you’re suffering from an acute knee condition or chronic knee pain, an experienced Norristown, PA knee pain doctor at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania may be able to help. There are certain situations that require the care of a surgeon or another specialty provider before our team can “pick up the baton” and assist a patient with follow-up treatment. However, there are a number of conditions that our providers can treat primarily. Depending on the underlying cause of pain, additional health considerations, and treatment response, one or more treatment approaches help some patients to successfully manage their pain, while others experience total relief.
One: Physical Therapy
Our Norristown knee pain doctor team frequently recommends physical therapy for knee pain, either as a primary therapy or as a supplemental therapy. Physical therapy sessions and “homework” can help patients to mange or eliminate their pain, increase their range of motion, minimize inflammation, strengthen tissue, improve flexibility, and generally live with less pain.
Two: TENS Stimulation
TENS stimulation stands for “transcutaneous electrical nerve” stimulation. This therapy involves attaching sensors to the leg via a “TENS unit” in order to stimulate the nerves in and around the knee. Depending on the nature of your condition, we may use TENS stimulation exclusively in our office setting or we may suggest that you engage in supplemental TENS simulation via a portable unit in your home.
Three: Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy involves many of the same approaches and techniques that are utilized by physical therapists. However, occupational therapy is concerned primarily with allowing those who suffer from pain, limited range of mobility, and other challenges to more successfully and independently engage in everyday activities. If your knee pain is so bad that it has limited your ability to complete everyday tasks, you may need some assistance relearning how to complete them in manageable ways.
Four: Temperature Variation and Compression
Oftentimes, using heat therapy, cold therapy, and/or compression therapy can help to supplement other treatment approaches. If we believe that any of these therapies could benefit you, we’ll educate you in re: timing, resources, and ways to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Five: Knee Injections
One of the treatments that Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania is best known for is knee injections. If you’ve never had a knee injection before, chances are that you’ve heard about this treatment approach in a sports context. Oftentimes, athletes who can’t afford to rest as long as they might need to receive knee injections to speed healing, reduce inflammation, and get back in the game quicker than they would otherwise.
Our Norristown knee pain doctor team has extensive experience providing patients with knee injection therapies for a host of conditions. You don’t need to be an elite athlete to benefit from knee injections. You may only need a single treatment or you may benefit significantly from multiple injection sessions. We will tailor our injection plan to your situation uniquely.
How We Treat Knee Pain Infographic
Integrating Osteoarthritis Treatment into Your Broader Wellness Approach
Know that our Norristown, PA knee pain doctor team will never treat you as “just another patient.” The experienced medical team at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania strives to ensure that each and every patient’s treatment plan is personalized to reflect their unique circumstances, goals, and lifestyle. For example, if you are an athlete suffering from osteoarthritis, we will do our utmost to tailor your treatment plan to get you “back in the game.” If you are a grandparent whose fondest wish is to be able to play with your grandkids without being distracted by pain, we’ll focus on that goal. Osteoarthritis treatment isn’t an end in and of itself. It is a means by which patients can achieve greater wellness overall.
Most people don’t think too much about their knees – until they have a problem and need to consult with a knee pain doctor Norristown, PA patients trust. As anyone who has ever suffered from knee pain can attest, dealing with persistent knee pain not only interferes with a person’s daily life and the activities they can do, but the pain can also wear on a person physically and mentally, leaving them exhausted.
Call Our Clinic Today
If you are suffering from knee pain – either due to an injury or chronic pain that has developed over time – that pain is likely interfering with your quality of life. You do not have to suffer any longer. Call Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania and find out how a Norristown knee pain doctor can help.
Why Does My Knee Hurt?
If you have been suffering from knee pain, you may want to consider seeking treatment with Norristown, PA knee pain doctor to find out what types of treatment options may be available to you. At Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania, we have been providing significant treatment options for knee pain for more than 20 years and we are available to meet and discuss which of these options may be right for your condition.
Make-Up of the Knee
The knee is made up of bones, bursae, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. When the knee is inflamed or injured, the joint and bone of the knee can develop pain. People of all ages can suffer from some type of knee pain. Common causes of knee pain include an injury, gout, arthritis, or other medical condition. Symptoms of issues with a patient’s knee can include warmth, redness, stiffness, or swelling. Other signs include the knee locking up or making crunching or popping sounds.
Causes of Knee Pain
Injury to the knee can cause tendons and ligaments to pull or tear or damage the cartilage. Wear and tear to the knee joint can also occur, especially if the patient has a history of the type of work they did, playing sports, or engaging in other types of activities that can cause joint damage.
Some of the more common knee injuries that a Norristown, PA knee pain doctor treats include:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): This is one of the four ligaments located in the knee. Its role is to provide stability. Injuries to the ACL often occur when there is a sudden change in the way the knee is bent. This happens frequently in activities such as basketball, football, and skiing.
- Bursitis: The knee joint is surrounded by small sacs of fluid-filled cushions. These bursae can become inflamed or irritated, which causes knee pain, especially when the patient moves the knee.
- Loose body: This can happen just from regular wear and tear to the knee, causing cartilage or bone to become loose and break off. These pieces can cause pain in the knee and also interfere with the ability to move the knee.
- Patellar dislocation: The patella, which is the kneecap, covers the front of the knee and glides back and forth. The patella can become dislocated, causing great discomfort and pain from excessive movement.
- Patellar tendinitis: This can happen when the tendons around the patella become inflamed or irritated, often from activities that involve heavy stress on the knees, such as cycling, running, and skiing.
- Torn meniscus: Cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia) is called the meniscus. Sudden twisting can cause the meniscus to tear, resulting in a painful condition for the patients.
There are also medical conditions that can result in knee pain requiring treatment. These include gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Contact Our Clinic Today Today
If you would like to meet with a Norristown, PA knee pain doctor and find out what treatment options may be available, call our Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania today to set up a consultation.
Knee Pain Treatment FAQs
If you have been dealing with knee pain, it may be time to see a Norristown, PA knee pain doctor. The healthcare professionals at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania understand just how difficult it is to live with chronic knee pain. The good news is that there are several treatment options available.
Can Osteoarthritis Cause Knee Pain?
Absolutely. In fact, a large percentage of knee pain cases are due to osteoarthritis. The condition is caused by wear and tear of the joints and frequently affects the knees. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, tenderness, stiffness, swelling and loss of flexibility. Certain factors can increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis including obesity, repeated stress on the joint, older age, genetics and bone deformities.
Can Being Overweight Contribute to Knee Pain?
Yes, it can. When you’re carrying around too much weight, it can put extra stress on your knee joints, which can result in pain. The more weight you have on you, the worse your knee pain may be. As such, it’s helpful to lose even a few pounds. Begin by cutting fatty and fried foods out of your diet. Replace these foods with healthier options, like vegetables, fruits, chicken, fish and whole grains. Try to exercise most days of the week. If you’re having trouble with physical activity, start slowly with lightweight activities, like walking.
When Should I See a Doctor About Knee Pain?
If you experience mild knee pain one time that goes away, it might not be a cause of concern. However, in certain situations, it may be necessary to see a Norristown knee pain doctor promptly. For example, if you recently injured your knee and have experienced swelling, it is wise to seek immediate medical treatment. Likewise, if you have been experiencing constant knee pain for several days without relief from home remedies, you should see a doctor.
Is It Possible to Prevent Knee Pain?
Yes. Besides maintaining a healthy weight, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce your risk of knee pain. For one thing, you should try to maintain an active lifestyle. Regular physical activity can improve flexibility and range of motion in your knees, preventing pain. Stick to exercises that don’t put too much stress on your joints, such as swimming and biking. It’s also important to properly stretch your muscles before engaging in physical activity.
Additionally, always wear the proper shoes. Your shoes should have a sturdy sole and fit your feet comfortably. If you walk around in worn out shoes, it can take a toll on your knees.
Is Surgery Always Necessary for Knee Pain?
No. Surgery may only be recommended as a last resort, as going under the knife carries risks. Your doctor will likely want to try non-invasive therapies to treat your knee pain first, like massage, rest, ice and lifestyle changes. Many people have experienced relief from their knee pain through non-invasive treatments.
If you have knee pain, you may want to get in touch with a Norristwon knee pain doctor from Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania.