What causes knee pain?
Knee pain may come and go periodically, and numerous factors can cause it. The most common causes of knee pain are:
- Being overweight
- Excess weight adds more pressure to your joints, especially in the lower body. If you’re overweight or obese, the daily motions of walking or climbing stairs can be enough to cause knee pain.
- Weakness in the knee muscle
- If you’re not physically fit or have weak muscles in your knees, you’re more likely to experience knee pain. A lack of flexibility in the knees can also cause pain and discomfort.
- High-impact activities
- There are certain sports and athletic activities that put more stress on your knees than is healthy. Activities that include running, excessive jumping, or squatting might compromise your knees and lead to pain.
- Injuries
- If you’ve had a previous injury to your knee, you’re more likely to experience pain or to injure it again.
- Arthritis
- Knee pain can also be caused by arthritis, which can develop from overuse or injury.
What are the symptoms of knee pain?
Depending on what’s causing your knee pain, you might experience different symptoms. The symptoms may also vary based on how active you are or what activities you engage in. The most common symptoms of knee pain include:
- Swelling in the knee area
- Stiffness of the joint or the entire leg
- A feeling of weakness
- Crackling or popping noises when the knee moves in a certain way
- Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
If you’ve seriously injured your knee, you might also experience sharp, shooting pains. If your knee pain is severe or it’s not getting better with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers, contact the Doctors Center at Red Rock today.
How is knee pain treated?
Knee pain is best treated on an individual basis. Dr. Capobianco might recommend X-rays or specific tests to determine the source of your knee pain. Some of the most common treatment methods are:
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Cortisone injections
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression bandages
- Elevation
In extreme cases, Dr. Capobianco recommends surgery. Whether you need to get damaged tissue repaired or a knee replacement, Dr. Capobianco can help you make an informed decision that’s best for your needs and desires.
To book an appointment, use the easy online scheduler today.
