When is the right time to see a knee doctor? Whether you are a young, healthy athlete or have a lot of life experience, a knee doctor Ft. Lauderdale could be for you. A knee doctor Ft. Lauderdale is an orthopedic doctor. Orthopedics is a specialty of medicine involving care for bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. Orthopedic doctors specialize in sudden injuries or chronic knee pain. Over a quarter of adults experience chronic knee pain which can negatively impact activities of daily life and quality of life.
An orthopedic doctor can help determine the cause of knee pain. To decide whether pain is acute or chronic will depend on how long the pain has lasted. Anything under six weeks is considered acute while anything over six weeks is chronic. Acute knee pain is often caused by injury/trauma or overuse. Common knee injuries include damage to the meniscus, cartilage damage, or a ligament injury. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps with knee stability. Not treating this can continue to cause more damage to other knee structures. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) connects the bone in the thigh to the bone in the shin, similar to the ACL. The meniscus is a rubbery structure that helps to cushion the knee. It helps with balancing weight and absorbing shock in the joint. Knee fractures can cause significant pain as well. A tibial plateau fracture, or a break to the top part of the bone in your lower leg, can cause a significant amount of damage to the knee if not treated.
A knee effusion occurs when someone has fluid around the knee which can make the knee appear swollen. Effusions related to a defect in the cartilage, injury, or osteoarthritis can cause significant pain. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis or inflammation of the joint, occurs in high prevalence with age. It occurs most often in adults over the age of 40. The knee is one of the most common locations to find arthritis. Cartilage is a piece of tissue that separates the bone of the upper leg and bone of the lower leg at the knee. If the cartilage breaks down over time due to inflammation and overuse, the bones will rub together. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, cracking noises, bony growth, and limited movement. There are other types of arthritis that can cause similar symptoms, including rheumatoid arthritis. A Baker’s cyst, or fluid collection behind the knee, could cause tightness or pain.
Bursitis and tendonitis are other common causes of knee pain. A bursae is a fluid-filled sac in a joint. If it gets inflamed due to injury, overuse, or other reasons, it can cause swelling and pain. Gout, which is a condition in which crystals form in the joint, or a joint infection can occur causing pain as well. Patients can have knee pain associated with an injury or disease process in another area such as the hip. If the gait, or the way the patient walks, is altered due to a hip related issue, the knee can compensate and eventually start to cause pain. Obesity is a major cause of knee pain. Although the knee can hold between two and five times a person’s body weight, the pressure over time can cause it to wear down resulting in pain.
There are reasons to see a knee doctor Ft.Lauderdale other than pain. If you are unable to bear weight on the knee or it “locks” or “gives out” you should call one. Swelling and redness around the knee especially combined with fever could indicate infection. If you try different therapies at home including rest, ice, compression, elevation, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (Motrin, Advil, Aleve) and your symptoms do not improve, a knee doctor Ft. Lauderdale can help.
Young, healthy athletes often experience different types of pain than those with chronic knee pain. The patella is the front part of the knee. Patellofemoral syndrome occurs due to a lot of pressure on the knee. It usually causes pain in the front of the knee or around the knee cap. This is common in runners. Pain is typically worse with squats, running, or sitting too long. Osgood-Schlatter disease causes pain in the front of the knee as well. It is common in children often between the ages of nine and fourteen. It typically results after a growth spurt and is often seen in athletes or kids that do a lot of running and jumping.
Many people often fear tumors and cancer more than other disease processes. Bony tumors can cause knee pain or symptoms in the knee. Luckily, many of these tumors are benign. To determine whether a bony tumor around your knee is serious, a knee doctor Ft.Lauderdale will perform different imaging tests and possibly a biopsy. If surgery is indicated, an orthopedic doctor is capable of performing the procedure or referring you to another more specialized knee doctor.
A total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total knee replacement is among the most popular procedures in orthopedic surgery. The damaged part of the knee is removed and metal and polyethylene prosthetic pieces are added. It not only helps with pain but quality of life by improving daily function. To find out if you are a candidate for replacement, see your knee doctor.
The knee is the largest joint in the body and more patients see a knee doctor Ft.Lauderdale for knee pain than pain to any other joint in the body. Having pain or any knee related symptoms is a reason to see a knee doctor. These specialists have access to XRAYs, MRIs, and other specialized imaging. They can inject the knee with medication to treat pain or inflammation. They can do joint aspirations to remove fluid from the knee. They can administer splints or casts. They can educate patients on home therapies, medications, or stretches. They can refer patients to physical therapy. They can often perform surgeries to repair or replace joints. If you have knee pain you want resolved, a knee doctor Ft. Lauderdale is right for you.