Knee Pain Doctor Wyomissing PA

Knee pain is often something that can’t be avoided and that is why knowing when to see a knee pain doctor in Wyomissing, PA at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania is important. Knee pain can develop due to certain health conditions or aging. When knee pain becomes so painful that it disrupts your daily life, it may be time to explore treatment options. A knee doctor who specializes in treating knee pain with advanced, non-invasive procedures can help you get lasting relief that can transform your life. You don’t have to live with bothersome knee pain that prevents you from getting through your day and doing your favorite activities. When it comes to knowing what kinds of pain there are and what to do about them, that is where we come in. If you ever notice consistent knee pain that does not go away, you should have your knee evaluated by a doctor. We want to help you end your knee pain in a way that suits your needs and without causing you more stress if we can help it. We understand that getting back on your feet is the priority. What is knee pain though and what can even cause it? 

What Can Cause Knee Pain?

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints that can affect people of any age. From accidents to sport injuries, there are many causes of knee pain. The knees endure a lot of stress since we use them for many things, like walking, running and jumping. Over the years, they will wear out and will be more prone to damage.  Injuries are one of the most common types of knee pain but there are also medical conditions such as arthritis that can cause pain. Arthritis can even affect young individuals, not just the elderly. A knee pain doctor can diagnose your condition so they can determine the best treatment methods to heal your knee, eliminate your pain and get it back to great condition again. 

In many cases, the pain isn’t serious and can be taken care of with a knee brace and resting up. Minor knee pain will heal after only several days, with rest, ice and elevation. However, in some cases the pain is so bothersome it prevents you from enjoying life to the fullest. It limits your range of motion, the things you can do, and how far you can get around.If you’ve reached that point then Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania wants to do what we can to help you end your knee pain without surgery if possible. It is still possible to fix your knee if you see a doctor early. 

Different Types of Knee Pain

Finding out what is causing your knee pain can be difficult. Some injuries are not visible, and instead the issue lies within the knee, such as problems affecting the nerves, joints, and muscles. The most common location for pain is in the middle of the knee, in the joint that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. Because the knee is a hinge structure, there is a lot of pressure and stress in the area due to the constant friction. Another common location is the kneecap area. A knee pain doctor can help you figure out the direct cause of your pain, but let’s look at what could cause it. Ligament Injuries

By far this type of injury is more common in people who play sports. This can be from the ACL, the PCL, or the MCL. All of these ligaments connect your thigh bone to your lower leg bone and keep the knee stable. Some key symptoms for this type of injury are:

• Sudden and severe pain in the knee
• Pain while walking
• A popping sound in the knee
• Swelling within 24 hours 
• Unstable walking 

Meniscus Tears

Tears like this take place in the cartilage of the knee. A meniscus tear can happen in just about anyone and can happen in a variety of ways. This type of tear is more common in older adults as the cartilage gets weaker and things out over time. Sudden movement can cause this type of injury fairly easily. 

Some symptoms of a meniscus tear are:

• A popping sound 
• Worsening pain and stiffness days after injury
• Knee catching or locking
• Knee giving out 

Arthritis

This condition causes inflammation and pain in the joints but it is most common in the knee. It is a chronic condition that can get worse over time and may need surgery to fix. There are three main types which are rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis.

All three types cause stiffness in the knee along with swelling, and difficulty in bending the knee fully. Other symptoms are:

• Knee Pain
• Limited range of motion
• Joint tenderness
• Pain that worsens over time

If you are in need of a knee pain doctor to help you figure out what is going on then reach out to Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania for information. There is no need to wait and see if the pain will get better. Are you tired of being in pain and want to get back on your feet? Reach out today and find out how our doctors can help you.

Your Brief Guide to Knee Injections

Let’s face it: Nobody likes knee pain. What’s worse, however, is delaying treatment for that pain. You ultimately want relief, but the key goal is targeting whatever’s causing your pain and achieving your best possible health outcomes. Maybe you’ve heard about knee injections, but you’re curious to know how they fit into an overall treatment plan. When consulting with your knee pain doctor in Wyomissing, PA, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.

What Knee Injections Can Do

The goal of a knee injection is simple: alleviating your pain. Unlike oral or topical medications, injections place medication directly inside the knee where it can work best to reduce your pain. Depending on your diagnosis, injections may be prescribed for several reasons:

• Reducing inflammation
• Lubricating the joint
• Promoting healing
• Inhibiting nerve signals that cause pain

Injections are done in an outpatient setting. Your doctor may use an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT device to accurately aim the needle as it goes into your knee.

Types and Benefits of Knee Injections

Each type of knee injection accomplishes these goals a little differently. At each injection session, medications are combined with a local anesthetic to reduce pain and discomfort during the process. 

If the goal is to reduce inflammation, your injection could contain infliximab or a corticosteroid. Both substances can minimize inflammation that’s pressing against nerve endings inside your knee and triggering pain. Infliximab blocks the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which can cause swelling. Corticosteroids target collagen production from tendon cells that’s tied to immune system responses, which can also aggravate inflammation.

On the other hand, your injections may lubricate your knee joint. Both hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in your body and can diminish with age, so adding it back to the knee can counteract friction and stiffness. PRP also encourages collagen production and healing. Meanwhile, Botox works in a different way: dampening the nerves that send pain signals to your brain. 

What Knee Injections Cannot Do

While knee injections can do a lot to help your condition, they can’t perform miracles. They can’t singlehandedly fix injured tendons, fractured bones or a torn meniscus. They also cannot completely reserve years of cumulative wear and tear from disorders such as osteoarthritis. Understanding and treating the root causes of your knee pain requires expertise plus a total care plan. Talk with your knee pain doctor in Wyomissing, PA, to learn how you can best experience healing and relief.

3 Strategies for Managing Chronic Knee Pain

Experiencing knee pain for an extended period of time can take a major toll on your quality of life. When every step feels like it comes at a price, it can be very frustrating and discouraging. Knee pain is often the result of a progressive physiological condition. Unfortunately, most people will experience knee pain at some point in their lives. It’s not an ailment that affects only athletes or seniors. People of all ages and physical conditions have to contend with knee pain. If you’re suffering from knee pain that’s affecting your mobility, you need to take some decisive action to reduce your pain levels. Here are some things that may help you achieve a noticeable improvement.

1. Eat Healthy

Keeping your body weight and body mass index at a healthy level is integral to good knee joint function. Carrying excessive body weight around takes an extreme toll on your cartilage and ligaments. Orthopedists typically advise patients that a well-balanced diet is helpful in promoting proper joint function. A knee pain doctor in Wyomissing PA at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania may discuss the potential benefits of dietary changes.

Removing certain foods from your diet may reduce inflammation. Red meat and hydrogenated seed oils may play a role in prolonged joint inflammation.

2. Attend Physical Therapy Consistently

A structured physical therapy regimen is typically the first line of defense against onsetting knee pain, and it’s an essential element of recovery following surgery. Getting through physical therapy and achieving the desired results requires both mental and physical endurance. 

A knee pain doctor in Wyomissing PA can advise you about a program’s specific goals concerning pain levels and mobility. Additional treatment options such as medication or injections can support the efficacy of therapy for many patients because it enables them to perform exercises with less pain.

3. Work With a Specialist Who Can Provide Injection Therapy

To get fast relief from extreme inflammation, you may be able to pursue injection therapy with a knee pain doctor in Wyomissing PA at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania. Injecting a corticosteroid or alternative medication directly into an inflamed knee joint can facilitate dramatically improved joint function. 

Knee pain is a formidable opponent. Coming at the problem from more than one angle may be the best plan of attack. Evaluating multiple treatment options with an experienced provider in addition to adopting healthy habits in your day-to-day routine can equip you to manage chronic pain effectively.

Wyomissing Knee Pain Doctor Infographic

3 Questions To Ask About Knee Pain Appointments

If you have recently suffered an injury, had surgery, or experienced a loss of mobility, you might be able to benefit from knee therapy by a Wyomissing Knee Pain Doctor in PA. Your doctor may recommend this to you, but it is entirely appropriate for you to bring it up if he or she does not. Bear in mind that your doctor may not be able to answer all your questions about knee therapy, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask. If your doctor does not know the answer, he or she should at least be able to help you find it out.

If your doctor believes that you could benefit from knee therapy, he or she may recommend that you see a particular therapist. However, this is just a recommendation, and you have the freedom to choose which therapist to see. Before you make your choice, however, it is a good idea to ask some questions first.

#1 What Do You Need To Do To Prepare for Appointments?

For new patients, preparing for an appointment with a knee doctor can be unfamiliar. Knee therapy often involves exercise, so you should dress in comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely for each appointment. Be ready to discuss your symptoms, how long you have been experiencing your pain, and your past medical history. Try to be as detailed as possible so they can determine the most accurate treatment plan for you. If for some reason you cannot go to your appointment dressed in your therapy clothes, you should at least bring them with you so you can change when you get there.

You may also undergo some sort of treatment modality, such as iontophoresis. If this is the case, you should wear clothing that allows easy access to the symptomatic area. For example, for the pain in your knee, you may want to wear shorts or sweatpants that are easy to roll up.

If it is your first appointment, you may have to bring medical reports and images. However, in many cases, your doctor’s office can simply forward these.

#2 What Can You Expect From a Typical Session?

Knee therapy appointments generally last about an hour. However, the exact treatments you receive depend on your diagnosis. During your first session, the therapist will perform an initial assessment and develop a treatment plan in response.

#3 What Is the Knee Pain Doctor’s Experience?

Some doctors are generalists that treat all areas of the body. Others specialize in a particular type of injury or body part. While you can receive treatment from a generalist therapist, it might be a good idea to seek out a specialist for your particular knee injury. If there are no specialists available, it is still a good idea to ask the therapist about his or her experience with the type of problem you have.

Knee Pain Doctor in Wyomissing, PA

No one should have to suffer through knee pain and that is why finding a knee pain doctor could make all the difference. Getting back on your feet and going through life without knee pain is important, and that is why we here at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania want to help you end your knee pain in the method that works for you. 

One of the methods that we prefer is physical therapy. What should you expect if you decide that trying physical theory is for you? 

5 Steps of Physical Therapy

Considering physical therapy can help end your pain without surgery but there are steps you have to take. You can’t just walk into a physical therapy appointment and hope for the best. It takes research and time. Here are the steps you need to take when finding a physical therapist to help you. 

Book Evaluations

When you first contact a physical therapist you will want to set up an evaluation. Don’t be afraid to ask about how they have treated someone with your condition before. Ask if they are confident in being able to help you get the treatment you need. Also, talk to them about what kinds of medications you are taking that could cause sensitivity to cold, heat, or photosensitivity. Don’t be shy to ask about costs either. Even with insurance, it can be expensive so you want to know the price before you enter. 

Preparations

Before heading into the appointment with the therapist you found be sure to write down all the important facts about the history of your problem. Having them all written out will help you give the important facts to your physical therapist. As well as the history make sure you write down the list of medications you are on and any surgeries or procedures you’ve had done to your knee before. 

What to Wear

In your first session be prepared to move around a lot. This means making sure that you have good quality shoes on, which means no sandals or boots. You will also want clothing that you can move around easily in. No tight pants or shorts, and wear a loose t-shirt. Overall make sure that you are comfortable in what you are wearing, that way you can focus on getting the most treatment possible.

The Initial Examination 

Once you and your physical therapist have talked about your condition they will perform an examination. This will focus on measuring impairments that may be causing your problem. Some of the more common examinations are as follows:

• Palpation
• Range of motion tests
• Tests of strength
• Functional mobility
• Balance

Make sure that your physical therapist is clear on the instructions so you don’t harm yourself more.

Setting Up Treatment

Once you have gone through your examination your physical therapist should have a clear idea of how to help you. They will set up a treatment and determine how frequently you need to return for treatment. Your program is going to vary and it could change depending on your pain level or current level of mobility. 

Other Ways to Keep Knees Healthy 

Knee pain is a common problem for many people, but that doesn’t mean that it should be accepted as normal. Over the years, our knees are put under plenty of wear and tear, especially since we are technically fighting against gravity every time we stand up, move, and walk. In addition to inevitable knee aging, there are other factors that make you more vulnerable to knee pain. Injury, osteoarthritis, lack of muscle strength, and excess body weight are all contributors of knee problems. 

Knee pain can develop because of repetitive stress or previous trauma. An injury can turn into a serious case of osteoarthritis if treatment isn’t sought. Putting added stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knees puts someone at risk for experiencing knee pain, too. Extra weight on the body accelerates the deterioration of the knee joint. Similarly, inflexible or weak muscles can put more stress on the joints. If there isn’t muscular support around the knee, then a person may be at a higher likelihood of sustaining an injury.

Regardless of your lifestyle habits or the current health of your knees, there are options out there for treatment and management. Check with your knee doctor about whether you will benefit from these other ways to keep your knees healthy:

• Opt for low-impact exercises. To protect knee cartilage, you may want to pick exercises that are lower-impact, such as cycling and swimming. This can ward off future damage and help retain healthy cartilage. 
• Practice leg muscle stretches. Regular stretching not only feels good but encourages a more full range of motion in everyday life. You may benefit from tai chi or yoga as a stretching routine. 
• Maintain a weight recommended for your body. This is only appropriate for situations where a person has additional weight to lose, and if it will not cause harm to their overall health. Your knee doctor may gently discuss this as another way to keep your knees functioning at their best. Even a few pounds can make a difference on the amount of pressure on our knees. 
• Strengthen lower and upper leg muscles. Strengthening the hamstrings, gluteus muscles, hip flexors, quadriceps, and psoas will offer support when using the knee joint.

Many people with knee pain, often hold off on seeking medical treatment because they believe that the pain will go away on its own. That is not always the case. You should always have your knee evaluated if it has been bothering you for a long time, such as weeks or months. There may be an underlying condition that needs to be treated more aggressively. The only way to know for sure is to have a skilled knee pain doctor diagnose your injury or condition.

Do’s and Don’ts of Handling Knee Pain

Dealing with pain in your knee can be a pain in the neck. A knee pain doctor in Wyomissing, PA can tell you there are a few things you should (or should not) do to care for your knee pain so that you can heal and minimize disruptions to your daily life. Here is a list of dos and don’ts from Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania for dealing with knee pain:

1. Do maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Getting enough exercise and eating nutritious foods go a long way in keeping your knees healthy. Staying active can keep your body flexible and your muscles strong, which helps to prevent knee injuries. In addition, healthy eating habits help to avoid excess weight that may increase your risk of experiencing knee pain.

2. Don’t ignore knee pain.

Knee pain is so commonplace that it’s easy to accept it as something you just have to live with. This is a mistake. Knee pain, especially when persistent, can indicate other, more serious health issues that require medical attention.

3. Do try self-care for minor injuries and/or mild pain.

Many cases of knee pain can resolve on their own with simple at-home treatments. The RICE method — Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation — is one of the most commonly used techniques for alleviating knee pain.

4. Don’t delay seeking medical help.

Even though knee pain can often be managed without further medical intervention, there are times when it is warranted. You should consult a knee pain doctor in Wyomissing, PA if you have persistent pain, lasting more than three weeks, or pain that is accompanied by specific symptoms.

5. Do pay attention to other symptoms.

If your knee pain is accompanied by redness, swelling, difficulty walking, or warmth or tenderness around the joint, you need to visit a knee pain doctor in Wyomissing, PA to evaluate these symptoms.

6. Don’t consider surgery as your only option.

Advancements in medical technology have expanded options for non-invasive treatments that can effectively relieve knee pain. Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can provide more information on options that are available to you.

7. Do ask questions.

Knee pain doctors are well-versed in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to knee pain, but each patient is unique. You know your body so if there is something you are wondering about, bring it up with your doctor during your appointment. If it helps, make a list of questions prior to your visit.

Finding the right knee pain doctor doesn’t have to be a daunting task. It is important to take your time to find the best knee doctor for you. You may be discouraged or unsure of where to start. If you have more questions about how a doctor can help you get back on track, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Don’t ignore knee pain and risk worsening your condition. It is much easier to treat knee pain early than wait and see if it will improve. It is much more costly to treat an injury in an advanced stage than if it was caught early. You should get your pain treated right away so that it doesn’t progress to a more serious injury. Reach out to a Knee Pain Doctor in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania at Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania for more information on how to get rid of your knee pain.