If you are suffering from knee pain, you may be unsure of where to go to seek treatment and relief. The knee is a complex part of the body and as such relies on a complicated relationship between bones, joints, and tissue. The cause of your knee pain may be due to one or more reasons that are not immediately apparent. Even if you know that you injured your knee in an accident, you may be unclear of what part of your knee was damaged. Many types of knee conditions will worsen if the individual does not seek treatment from a knee doctor, and permanent damage may also occur if the cause is not addressed. A knee doctor can assist with your knee pain questions from a clinic like Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
A knee can swell or cause intermittent as well as throbbing pain for many reasons. Here are some of the most common causes that a knee doctor may diagnose as the root of your knee pain:
- Recurrence of a preexisting condition. If you have previously injured your knee, or your knee has a preexisting condition such as extra bone cartilage, even a minor change in circumstances can flare up an old issue. For example, if you recently placed more than the usual amount of weight on your knee or the humidity level dramatically changed, you might experience pain from a previous condition. A knee doctor may be able to treat the cause of that condition and eliminate the painful symptoms as a result.
- Bursitis. The knee joint is protected and cushioned from impact by a sack of fluid known as the bursa sack. The knee has several bursa sacks, any of which may be damaged or irritated by an injury or repetitive motion. The resulting possible symptoms are swelling and pain.
- Tendonitis. When the knee is overused, its tendons may swell. Athletes often experience this condition.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease. This disease can cause significant pain. Osgood-Schlatter results in a bump below the knee that is painful and will be worsened by physical activity involving the knee. Resting the knee can improve the condition. The knee pain can last for months and may affect one or both knees. A knee doctor can diagnose this condition which is particularly common among teenagers around the ages of 13 and 14.
- Osteoarthritis. This condition can affect the knee and is especially common for people who are older than 60 years of age.
