Medical Advice for a Pain in the Knee

Pain in the knee is a very common complaint, but pinpointing the reason for it can often be challenging because of all the possible causes. Some common causes include arthritis, ligament injuries, cartilage tears, tendonitis and a dislocated kneecap. It is important to receive an accurate diagnosis to receive the appropriate treatment. Many times a complete medical history as well as a thorough physical exam will better diagnose the cause of pain instead of just one single test.

Arthritis

• Arthritis is the most common causes of knee pain and can be diagnosed with X-rays and a simple blood test. It is the term for a condition that affects the joints, causing pain, inflammation and swelling. For patients with knee pain related to arthritis, physicians will usually recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Celebrex. NSAIDs work by blocking the production of the chemical prostaglandin, which is involved in inflammation and pain.

Ligament Injuries

• Ligament injuries usually occur during sports activities. These are diagnosed with the combination of a physical exam and X-ray. Depending on the severity of the injury, a physician will recommend treatment such as wearing a compression bandage to support the knee, or possibly a splint to prevent the knee from moving side to side.

Cartilage Tears

• Cartilage tears are a very common cause of knee pain and can occur at any age. Two causes of a torn cartilage are a traumatic injury, often occurring during sports, or a degenerative process seen in older individuals. The tear occurs when the knee joint is bent and the knee is twisted. Diagnosis of a cartilage tear will include a physical examination as well as an X-ray and MRI. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the tear. Surgery is sometimes required to trim the torn portion of the cartilage.

Tendonitis

• Tendonitis usually occurs around the knee joint in the patellar tendon, the large tendon over the front of the knee. Patients with tendonitis will experience symptoms such as tenderness directly over the tendon and swelling of the tendon. It is diagnosed with a physical exam and X-rays are usually not needed. For individuals with knee pain related to tendonitis, physicians usually recommend physical therapy for strengthening as well as wearing splints to protect the area during activities such as sports.

Dislocated Kneecap

• A dislocated kneecap will cause extreme pain during the dislocation and can lead to chronic knee pain. The dislocation usually occurs due to forced leg straightening when the kneecap moves out of the groove to the side of the knee. Individuals will usually feel the kneecap moving out of position and may experience swelling behind the kneecap and pain when the leg is straightened and bent. A dislocated kneecap can be diagnosed with a physical exam as the physician can feel the kneecap slipping when the leg is straightened or bent. Physicians recommend treatment such as ice packs, anti-inflammatory medications and elevating the leg to reduce swelling. In some cases, a leg brace may be prescribed to help keep the kneecap in place.