Do you have knee pain that has bothered you and greatly interfered with your daily life for more than 12 weeks now?
Visiting an orthopedist for your chronic knee pain is your best bet. If you’re on the fence, the reasons outlined below should help you make up your mind.
For Proper Diagnosis
Chronic knee pain has many possible causes, each of which requires different diagnostic tests. An orthopedist can help you pinpoint the cause by running the necessary tests based on what they think is causing your pain.
For example, if an orthopedist suspects that arthritis is what’s causing your chronic knee pain, they will likely perform a physical examination to check if your knee is swollen, or if it has limited mobility or range of motion. They will then order blood tests and X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and distinguish what type of arthritis you may have.
For the Best Course of Treatment
Depending on the diagnosis and severity of your condition, an orthopedist will recommend nonsurgical and surgical procedures to address your chronic knee pain.
An orthopedist will help you make an informed decision as to which one may be the best course of treatment for your condition. They will explain the benefits and risks of each treatment option, what each option entails (how it’s done and what to expect during the procedure), and which one among the options provides lasting pain relief.
The following are some of the options for both non-surgical and surgical treatment approaches:
Nonsurgical Treatment
An orthopedist will usually start with conservative treatment options, such as the ones listed below, and see how they pan out.
- Prescription anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
- Steroid injections
- PRP therapy
- Weight management
Surgical Treatment
If nonsurgical treatment options fail to provide satisfactory relief or symptom improvement, an orthopedist may recommend any of the procedures, whichever is appropriate.
- Arthroscopic surgery (this is a surgical technique in which an orthopedic surgeon uses a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole—to examine your joint
- Total knee replacement
- Partial knee replacement
- Knee osteotomy
- Knee debridement and lavage
- Cartilage repair and restoration
For (Re)Injury Prevention
An orthopedist can help prevent both the onset of a new injury and the worsening of the existing condition or injury that could be causing your knee pain by recommending physical therapy.
Physical therapy helps you identify body imbalances and factors that may predispose you to injury and incorporates exercises that can help improve your flexibility, muscle strength, and range of motion to help reduce your risk of injury. If you’re suffering from knee arthritis, these exercises can help you keep your joints healthy and limber by promoting good circulation of the lubricating fluid inside them.
Board-Certified Orthopedist in Dover, NJ
At Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, our team consists of highly experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeons who utilize a remarkably effective, comprehensive, streamlined approach to addressing your chronic knee pain. And while we have the surgical expertise to produce exceptional outcomes, we make sure to exhaust all conservative options before recommending surgery.
To schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedists, call us at (973) 989-0888 today. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to giving you a leg up with your knee pain!
