Knee pain is a common occurrence for individuals of all ages. It can be the result of injury or overuse. More serious causes can be a torn cartilage or ruptured ligament. If you have been experiencing sudden or persistent knee pain, visit our knee pain specialist Los Angeles.

Symptoms

Knee pain symptoms will depend on the cause of the pain and how severe the injury is. Some symptoms that can occur alongside knee pain are:

  • Redness
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Warmth to the touch
  • Instability or weakness
  • Unable to straighten
  • Popping noise

Causes

There can be several possible causes of your knee pain, including arthritis, mechanical problems, or injury.

Many knee injuries can affect the tendons, ligaments, or the fluid-filled sacs around the knee joint. Some of the most common injuries involving the knee are:

  • Torn meniscus – The meniscus serves as a shock absorber between your thighbone and shinbone. It is commonly torn during a sporting activity when it is abruptly twisted while planted.
  • Patellar tendinitis – This type of knee injury is an inflammation or irritation of the knee tendons.
  • Fracture – The bones in the knee can be broken just like another other bone in the body. This is common during a car accident or a fall. Individuals with osteoporosis are more susceptible to fracturing their knee.
  • Knee bursitis – Certain knee injuries cause the bursae to become inflamed.
  • ACL injury – ACL injuries occur when one of the four ligaments connecting your thighbone to your shinbone is torn.

Treatment

Treatment best suited for your injury is determined by the cause of your pain:

  • Therapy will help strengthen the muscle surrounding your knee and make it more stable. Exercise will improve your balance. Also, using arch supports will help divert pressure from the side of your injured knee.
  • Your doctor may write you a prescription for a medication to help relieve your pain. One may receive a prescription for a medication to treat an underlying condition.
  • There are some cases where injecting medications into your knee joint is helpful.
  • Some knee injuries will require surgery, but you don’t have to necessarily have the surgery immediately. There are different types of surgery for you to consider, such as:
    • Partial or complete knee replacement surgery
    • Arthroscopic surgery

If you have recently sustained a knee injury or are experiencing persistent knee pain, please visit our knee pain specialist Los Angeles today by calling (213) 386-2511 or scheduling an appointment online.