Move Fully, Live Freely

Knees

Did you know 1 in 4 Americans suffer from some form of knee pain?

 

Our knees bear the brunt of much of our body weight. When we’re standing still they bear 80% of our body weight and when we’re walking they can bear up to 150%. You might ask how is it possible to bear more than our body weight? Well, that’s because of science and a thing called force. The moral of the story though is that are knees are fundamental to our movement, so we need to take good care of them.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

ACL Injuries

ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries are common among athletes, but can also be the result of trauma.  Half of ACL injuries that occur tend to occur alongside damage to another part of the knee.

Bursitis

This condition involves inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee joints. It can be a result of repetitive kneeling or trauma.

Meniscus Tear

Meniscus tears are common when there are activities involving jumping and twisting. They also get more common as we age because our cartilage gets weaker.

Fractures

Knee fractures can involve any bone in and around the knee. When it comes to the knee joint, the patella or knee cap is the most commonly broken bone.

Knee Dislocation

A knee dislocation happens when the three bones of your knee are out of place. This is a serious condition.

Arthritis

Arthritis pain is more common in knees that were injured in the past. Arthritis can cause your knee to feel painful and stiff at times. The pain can be intermittent.

Sprained or Strained Knee

Knee sprains and strains involve the soft tissue of the knee like ligaments, fibers and tendons. Severe sprains and strains can take as long as three to four months to heal.

Do you know the cause of your knee pain?

 

Do you have knee pain, but don’t know why? You might have an idea that it could be related to an injury you had or maybe you think it might be long term use related, but you aren’t quite sure of the cause yet. 

If this is you, then reach out to your primary care team to schedule an appointment. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, then reach out to us at Sky Lakes Primary Care.

Types of Treatment for Knee Pain

Non-Surgical Options

There are non-surgical options for helping treat knee pain. The right care plan of conservative therapies can aid in maintaining joint function and relieve pain for many people.

Sky Lakes offers:

  • Physical therapy
  • Therapeutic exercise programs
  • Guidance on diet changes and nutrition
  • Oral and topical medications
  • Pain-relieving injections
Total and Partial Knee Replacements

There are both partial and total knee replacement options available. In partial replacements, the damaged bone ends and cartilage are replaced with implants. In a total joint replacement, an artificial joint is placed, which stops the bones from rubbing together.

Joint replacement surgeries have become less invasive over time. In the past, a knee replacement might have left a 12 inch scar, but with minimally invasive procedures, smaller incisions (3-5 inches) are used. As a result, there is less blood loss during surgery, less pain after surgery, less damage to muscles and tendons, less time in the hospital, and ultimately faster recovery and rehabilitation.