Knee pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, ranging from minor issues to serious medical problems. If the pain persists and limits you, it is not only distressing, but you also cannot know for sure what is causing it without consulting a medical expert.
Your knees are very important, but it is very common for people to hold off seeking help – until they can no longer handle the pain. This is very dangerous because the problem could get worse, and you may need more complex treatment to fix the problem.
Is it time to visit a knee orthopedic doctor? Below are 4 signs it’s time to see one.
Sign #1 Pain That Lingers or Gets Worse
Many people experience occasional bouts of minor aches and pains in their knees due to overexertion or a change in activity. However, if this discomfort persists for several days or weeks without improvement despite home remedies, such as rest, ice and heat therapy, and compression wraps, it’s time to seek professional help from a qualified orthopedist who can provide targeted treatments specific to your condition.
Sign #2 Inability To Complete Normal Activities
Experiencing difficulty completing activities like walking up the stairs or standing after sitting down could mean there is something wrong with the structures of your joint. This type of issue requires specialized care beyond at-home remedies. An experienced orthopedic doctor can perform a physical examination, assess your knee’s range of motion, and possibly order an imaging test to determine what type of knee issue you have.
Sign #3 Swelling Around The Knee Joint
Inflammation around the area surrounding the kneecap indicates injury or arthritis, especially if knee swelling is usually accompanied by other painful sensations like stiffness, tenderness when touched, redness, and warmth. Arthritis is a degenerative disease that requires comprehensive treatment to slow its progression and preserve the knee for as long as possible, which an orthopedic doctor is highly trained and experienced in providing.
Sign #4 Popping and Clicking Sounds When Moving Your Knee
A popping sound before an injury could mean an ACL tear or an injury to a knee tendon. A crunching noise is indicative of crepitus, which is common among patients with cartilage damage from arthritis. Knee popping accompanied by pain needs to be evaluated by a medical professional, as it could mean one of many conditions.
Whether you’re dealing with minor aches and pains or stiffness and swelling, seeing an orthopedic doctor specializing in knee disorders is important for relief. It could be an injury or it could be a degenerative disease such as arthritis. The point is, your knees deserve treatment by a medical professional and relief from your symptoms, so you can go back to normal.
Knee Orthopedic Doctor in Hartford and Tolland Counties, CT & Springfield, MA
At Advanced Orthopedics New England, our orthopedic knee doctors know the importance of knee health. We combine our specialized knowledge and skill with compassion to give our patients the best chances at a positive outcome and give them back the life they love.
Our knee doctors are board-certified and fellowship-trained, so you get the highest quality treatment in Hartford and Tolland Counties, CT, and Springfield, MA. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (860) 728-6740.
