Knee pain management

Some simple things we do without a second thought can be daunting when you suffer from knee pain. Taking leisure walks, climbing stairs, or standing can be challenging. Depending on the pain levels, you might lose mobility and your independence.

Eastshore Healthcare understands the impact of knee pain and how destabilizing it can be. As such, we’ve committed ourselves to delivering holistic treatment pain management. Our team of health professionals uses a blend of advanced treatments and personalized care to deliver a lasting solution.

Get your knee pain under control without drugs or surgery
Call us for a free consultation (717) 652-5550

Anatomy of the knee

The knee is the largest joint in the body and is comprised of two parts: the tibiofemoral joint, that’s between the upper part of the tibia and the end of the femur, and the patellofemoral joint that’s between the patella and the end of the femur bone.

Aside from these, the knee has four ligaments that join the bones together. The ligaments are:

Cruciate ligaments – located inside the joint. They form an ‘x’ shape and control the forward and backward movement of the knee.
Collateral ligaments – they are located on the sides and control sideways knee movements.

As for cartilage, there’s the articular cartilage and the meniscal cartilage. Articular cartilage protects the ends of the shinbone and thigh bone and behind your kneecap. They lubricate the knee as you straighten and bend your leg. The meniscal cartilage, on the other hand, functions as a shock absorber between the tibia and femur.

Knee pain symptoms

Chronic knee pain symptoms vary from person to person, and the cause affects how one experiences the pain. However, the common symptoms that accompany the pain include:

Instability and weakness
Crunching and popping noises when you stand up or climb a flight of stairs
Stiffness and swelling
Unable to completely straighten your knee
Warm to the touch and redness

The pain may manifest as a:

Dull and burning ache
Sharp pain when moving
A constant ache

Knee pain causes

Knee pain can stem from a variety of injuries and conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the primary causes:

Injuries

Ligament injuries: The knee comprises several ligaments, with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) being the most prone to injuries. Such injuries are frequent among athletes and can result from sudden twists or direct impacts.
Fractures: The knee bones, including the kneecap (patella), can break due to falls or accidents. Those with bone-weakening conditions like osteoporosis might experience fractures from minor missteps.
Torn meniscus: Despite being tough, the tough and rubbery cartilage can get torn when you twist your knee when it’s supporting heavy weight.
Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs cushioning the knee joint, can lead to knee pain.
Tendinitis: Overuse or strain can lead to inflammation of the tendons in the knee, causing pain. Cyclists, skiers, and athletes participating in high-impact activities are often at risk of this.

Mechanical problems

Loose body: Degeneration or injury can cause bone or cartilage fragments to float within the joint, causing pain when they interfere with joint movement.
Iliotibial band friction syndrome: This condition arises when the band of tissue from the hip to the knee becomes tight, causing friction against the thighbone.
Dislocated kneecap: This involves the kneecap moving out of its position, often visible, and requires medical intervention.
Foot or hip pain: if you have foot or hip pain, you might alter your gait to avoid the pain. However, this adjustment might put pressure on your knee joint, eventually causing pain.

Types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis: This is a wear-and-tear condition where the knee cartilage deteriorates due to aging or use.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): It is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks joint tissues, leading to inflammation. The severity varies from person to person, and in some, it comes and goes.
Gout: This type of arthritis is caused by uric acid crystals buildup in the joints, leading to inflammation.
Pseudogout: It’s similar to gout but caused by calcium-containing crystals in the joint fluid.
Septic arthritis: This involves an infection in the knee joint, causing swelling, redness and pain.

Risk factors

Several factors predispose you to a knee injury. These include:

Excess weight: Carrying extra weight increases stress on the knee joints. The extra stress on the joints puts you at a higher risk of osteoarthritis.
No muscle strength and flexibility: A lack of muscle strength and flexibility can heighten the risk of knee joint injury. Generally, strong muscles help to stabilize and protect your joints, while flexibility aids in achieving a full range of motion.
Sports and occupations: Certain sports and physical activities exert more stress on the knees. For instance, alpine skiing, basketball, and running can increase the risk of knee injuries. Occupations that involve repetitive stress on the knees, such as farming and construction, can also elevate the risk.
Previous injuries: Individuals with a knee injury are more susceptible to future knee injuries.

Knee pain treatment

A widely recommended strategy for managing such discomfort, especially when caused by minor injuries or arthritis flare-ups, is the “RICE” method. This involves resting the affected knee, applying ice to minimize inflammation, compressing with a bandage to offer support and reduce swelling, and elevating the knee to decrease swelling further.

Additional treatment options:

Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. However, it’s essential to use them as directed and be aware of potential side effects.
Physical therapy: Engaging in specific stretching and strengthening exercises can enhance knee stability and flexibility. A physical therapist can guide you through exercises tailored to your needs.
Medical procedures: In cases of bursitis, doctors might need to extract excess fluid from the knee’s bursa. For arthritis-related inflammation, corticosteroid injections can offer relief.
Surgery: Severe injuries, like torn ligaments or certain knee conditions, might necessitate surgical intervention.

How Eastshore Healthcare can help

Keep in mind that most of the options above offer short-term relief to knee pain. You can relieve chronic pain in your knee over the long term through our all-natural regenerative pain relief treatments. We utilize regenerative cells that target the underlying cause of your pain and discomfort.

These specialized cells are safely and ethically derived from donated umbilical cords and injected into your area of discomfort. The procedure is fast, requires no invasive surgery or downtime, and involves little to no pain.

Even though the knee joint pain you feel may be debilitating, it is still just a by-product of the damage that is happening below the surface. The pain itself is not the issue. The issue is the torn ligament, arthritis, or other condition that is causing the pain.

When we perform our regenerative knee pain treatments utilizing the potential healing abilities of these young cells, the tissues in your knees will be repaired, and your body’s own healing process will be kicked into high gear.

This approach is contrary to conventional medicine, where the pain is masked with medication, but the underlying cause of the pain is never addressed. With natural pain relief, your pain can be alleviated because the young and potent regenerative cells get to the root of the issue rather than cover it up.

Consult with Eastshore Healthcare

Although knee pain is common, it should never be dismissed or taken lightly. It’s a signal from your body that something might be amiss. Whether it’s a minor sprain, an arthritis flare-up, or a more severe injury, addressing the pain promptly and effectively is crucial.

At Eastshore Healthcare, we prioritize your well-being. Our dedicated professionals combine years of experience with cutting-edge medical knowledge to offer tailored solutions for knee pain. After diagnosing the underlying cause, we’ll target it for a longer-lasting solution. Reach out to East Shore Healthcare and take the first step towards a pain-free life.