The Benefits of Visiting a Chiropractor Regularly

Causes and Treatments of Knee Pain

by Chloe Dean

If you have been experiencing pain and discomfort of your knee joint, it could be from any number of things. Before seeking treatment, it helps to know what the potential causes are, as this guides you toward the right treatment option.

What are the causes of knee pain?

When you experience knee pain you might not know exactly what it is from, unless you were previously in an accident or had a sports injury. There are many things that can cause knee pain, such as the following:

  • Arthritis – This is a very common cause of pain in the knee joint. Arthritis causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness of your joints, which can also include your knees. If you have discomfort and lack of mobility, it may be due to arthritis.
  • Ligament injuries – There are multiple types of ligament injuries that can occur with the knee. These may be caused by a sports injury, vehicle accident, or from another type of trauma. They include anterior cruciate injury, posterior cruciate injury, medial collateral injury, and lateral collateral injury.
  • Cartilage injuries – Your knee may also be hurting due to an injury of the cartilage, as opposed to the ligaments. This is a very common cause of knee pain for people of all ages.
  • Knee dislocation – If the knee pain is primarily in the kneecap area, when you might have dislocated your kneecap. This not only causes acute pain prior to treatment, but can also lead to chronic knee pain.
  • Bursitis – If you have swelling and pain near the top of your knee, you might have a condition called burisitis. This is very common among people that bend a lot for their job, such as landscapers, gardeners, and carpet and tile contractors.

When do you need to call your doctor?

There are some cases where the knee pain is going to go away on its own, but in other cases the pain is a warning sign that you have an injury or condition that needs to be treated. Here are some ways to determine when it is time to call the doctor:

  • The pain persists even while resting
  • Pain or swelling lasts longer than a few days
  • It has become difficult to stand or walk
  • There is an obvious deformity of the knee joint
  • There are signs of infection, such as redness or warmth

What treatments are available for knee pain?

The treatment your doctor recommends is going to vary based on the cause of your knee pain. Rest is often the first course of treatment, as walking on your knee could cause the pain to persist and make the swelling and inflammation worse. You may also be given an anti-inflammatory medication that reduces swelling and helps to relieve pain. Some conditions require surgery to correct them, while others simply get better with time.

Chiropractic care, from a professional like North Star Chiropractic Center, can also be useful for knee pain, where they may use any types of treatments, including manipulation of the knee joint, hot and cold therapy, and ultrasound therapy.

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