The knees are one of the most complex joints in the human body. Its range of motion and frequent exposure to physical stress makes it prone to injury. Whether acute or chronic, knee pain is a common reason for visiting an orthopedic. Knowing about knee pain management can help you take better care of this hard-working joint and get sufficient relief to keep you going.
Here’s how to manage knee pain and where you can go for effective pain management in Boynton Beach.
First Aid
Prompt first aid can give immediate relief and prevent further damage for acute pain arising from an injury. Even in cases where knee pain comes from a chronic condition, many conservative methods can give reliable pain relief.
The key steps for knee first aid are to protect the joint from further injury, ensure adequate rest, and apply compression or temperature pads. The priority should be to prevent additional damage, so continuing strenuous activities can harm your knee health. Stop immediately and isolate the affected knee from further motion.
Compression bandages can be used to reduce knee swelling and provide pain relief. Hot or cold packs are also useful in managing pain and inflammation. In many cases, elevating the affected leg above heart level can promote fluid draining, reducing swelling and discomfort. Most important is to rest the affected knee to facilitate the healing process.
Lifestyle Changes and Therapy
The knees are weight-bearing joints. They support almost the entire body weight while providing enough flexibility for everyday tasks. Without adequate weight control and exercise, the knees may not become strong enough to support movement, increasing the risk of injury.
Weight loss programs are recommended for people with excess weight to reduce the stress on the knee joints. Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength-building modalities, can strengthen the muscles and connective tissues that support the knees and protect against injury. Exercise can also spur healing, although consulting with an orthopedic doctor requires a safe and effective fitness program.
Physical therapy is also useful for knee pain management. People recovering from an acute injury and those with chronic health conditions impacting their knees typically undergo a therapy program emphasizing mobility and strength. A physical therapist can help correct problematic movement patterns, assess progress, and prescribe complementary exercises.
Several aids can also help patients recover during and after physical therapy. Braces can reduce the load on the knees, allowing the healing process to continue unchecked. Arch supports and wedges can help redistribute weight across the knee, reducing the stress on damaged portions.
Pharmaceuticals
Medications also offer viable options for pain management. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are first-line choices for patients with significant knee pain. If certain conditions, such as gout, are causing knee pain, the patient will receive medications targeting these root causes.
For more intense or persistent pain, injectable pharmaceuticals may provide lasting relief. Corticosteroids are common injectables that are powerful anti-inflammatory substances. They can provide lasting pain relief for a few months, especially for conditions primarily caused by inflammation, such as arthritis.
Another approach is to inject substances that facilitate the natural healing process. Hyaluronic acid, a natural joint lubricant produced by the body, can decrease internal friction and reduce the effect of wear on the knees. Platelet-rich plasma, PRP, can also be injected into the affected knee to promote healing. While both injectables have mixed results, they can potentially result in pain management benefits for patients who are unresponsive to other treatments.
Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches offers PRP injections to give patients more options for their knee pain management.
Surgery
While surgical options are costly and require a lengthy recovery period, they can directly address mechanical problems within the knee that are causing discomfort. Arthroscopic surgery is recommended option due to its less invasive nature. In this procedure, the surgeon uses narrow tools to visualize the joint and repair connective tissue. Arthroscopic surgery only requires several small incisions to accommodate the surgical tools, hastening recovery and minimizing complications.
Another surgical option would be a knee replacement. A partial replacement involves identifying damaged sections of the knee and replacing them with metal and plastic prosthetics. Meanwhile, a total replacement swaps out the entire knee joint with a high-quality artificial joint. Removing damaged tissue portions prevents them from sending pain signals, and the prosthetics are designed to move and work much like an actual knee.
Patients who undergo surgery will have to go through a physical therapy program and temporarily take pain medications as the incisions heal. However, they can expect significant mobility improvements several months after surgery.
Effective Knee Pain Relief in Boynton Beach
If you are experiencing knee pain that is interfering with your daily activities and are seeking a lasting solution, visit us at Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches. We have a team of orthopedic doctors and physical therapists who work in collaboration to diagnose and treat the cause of your knee pain and to help improve your overall health and quality of life. We offer both surgical and non-surgical services to help improve knee pain and treat arthritis.
To know more about our services or to schedule a consultation, call us today at (561) 733-5888 or fill out our online appointment request form.
