What Are Some Common Causes of Knee Pain?

Orthopedic Surgery

Aug 27

The knees are crucial for mobility in both everyday life and in athletics. Of course, someone who is more active in high-level athletics may be more likely to incur a serious knee injury due to the sometimes-immense strain put on the knees.

That's why we see many skiiers, soccer players, football players, and basketball players in the operating room-- with all the running, jumping, twisting and bumping, serious knee injuries occur much more often on the field of friendly strife. (#kneeinjuriesinathletes)

However, you don't have to be a professional athlete to experience knee issues, although you definitely won't have a team doctor on staff to help you diagnose it immediately. So here are some of the common causes of knee pain for those of you who are experiencing knee pain and are unsure of the root cause, and I'll follow that up with some tips on when to see a doctor for your knee pain.

Common Causes of Knee Pain (#kneepain)

“You don’t have to sustain a dramatic injury to experience knee pain— sometimes the everyday grind coupled with playing recreational sports can result in knee pain.”

An Injury(#kneeinjuries)

We all know that an injured knee is more likely to be a painful knee. After a knee injury you will certainly experience pain and swelling of the knee.

Overuse of the Knee (#kneedamage)

Long-term effects of using your knees can create a cumulative effect and lead to knee pain.

You don't have to sustain a dramatic injury to experience knee pain-- sometimes the everyday grind coupled with playing recreational sports can result in knee pain.

A Chronic, Underlying Condition(#kneeconditions)

Arthritis is an example of a chronic, underlying condition that can lead to increased levels of knee pain. For instance, for either the athlete or the everyday joe, once the articular cartilage in the knee is gone, “arthritis” (the phenomenon of bone rubbing on bone) becomes a problem. (More on alternative arthritis treatments here).

When to see a doctor for knee pain (#kneeinjury)

If you have any of the above issues with your knee, there may certainly be a time when rest, icing, more rest, and more icing (and on and on) just won't cut it. That's when it's time to see a doctor. Here's what we're looking for:

See a doctor if joint pain last for more than 48 hours.#whentoseeadoctorforkneepain

The key here is determining whether the pain is centered on the joint or the muscle. If you feel pain within the joint for more than 48 hours, get yourself to a doctor and get it checked-- it's probably not a muscle problem in this case.

Swelling That Lasts More than 48 Hours

When an acute injury is present, the result will be swelling about the injury itself. Soft tissue will swell when damages, resulting in pain, loss of motion, and severe limitations in mobility.

“The knees are one of the fulcrums of stability when it comes to your body. If you are having trouble standing or walking on your knee and experience a loss of stability in the joint, it could be bad enough to warrant a visit to the doctor.”

Note: sometimes swelling can be noted visually, and one other occasions you can't see it with the naked eye. Pain coupled with stiffness or clicking as injured tendons snap over one another are all indications that something is wrong.

Instability/Lack of Support from the Knee

The knees are one of the fulcrums of stability when it comes to your body. If you are having trouble standing or walking on your knee and experience a loss of stability in the joint, it could be bad enough to warrant a visit to the doctor. Likewise if you feel as if your knee won't even support you when you put weight upon it.

It Just Looks Wrong

If one side of the knee looks deformed or "wrong" in comparison with side that is pain free, go get it checked out.

Alleviating Knee Pain At Home

“Ever see a behind-the-scenes photo of an NBA or NFL locker room? Chances are you’ll see several players with huge bags of ice wrapped around their knees. ”

Of course, not all knee problems are severe, and sometimes minor knee pain can be treated by doing the following "easy" things:

Resting The Knee. (#Howtotreatkneepain)

Taking the strain off the knee with a program of rest (even if only for a couple of days) can go a long way in alleviating pain.

Icing. (#Howtotreatekneepain)

Ever see a behind-the-scenes photo of an NBA or NFL locker room? Chances are you'll see several players with huge bags of ice wrapped around their knees. In fact, sometimes even see players icing during games as they sit on the bench. Icing is a tried-and-true method to reduce knee pain, and something you can do yourself as home to alleviate pain.

Have questions about you knee pain? Visit Dr. Sterett's Facebook Page to ask him a question!

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You don't have to be a professional athlete to experience knee issues, although you definitely won't have a team doctor on staff to help you diagnose it immediately. So here are some of the common causes of knee pain for those of you who are experiencing knee pain and are unsure of the root cause, and I'll follow that up with some tips on when to see a doctor for your knee pain...

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Having knee pain can be scary if you don't know the cause. And unless you are a high-level athlete, you probably don't have a doctor on staff...here are some of the common causes of knee pain for those of you who are experiencing knee pain and are unsure of the root cause, and I'll follow that up with some tips on when to see a doctor for your knee pain. http://williamsterett.com/blog-dr-william-sterett/2015/8/14/what-are-some-common-causes-of-knee-pain

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Having knee pain can be scary if you don't know the cause. Here are some of the common causes of knee pain for those of you who are experiencing knee pain...http://williamsterett.com/blog-dr-william-sterett/2015/8/14/what-are-some-common-causes-of-knee-pain

For LinkedIn Description

WILLIAM (BILL) STERETT, M.D. IS AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON RESIDING IN VAIL, COLORADO. DR. STERETT IS THE HEAD TEAM PHYSICIAN FOR THE US WOMEN’S ALPINE SKI TEAM AND THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE VAIL VALLEY SURGERY CENTERS.

Knee PainTreatment

Dr. William Sterett, M.D.

Dr. Bill Sterett is the Head Team Physician for the US Women’s Alpine Ski Team and has been since 1997, with athletes over the years such as Picabo Street, Kristina Koznick, Caroline LaLive, Julia Mancuso and Mikaela Shiffrin. He has served as a US Olympic Committee Team Physician for the past four Winter Olympic Games, with the US Olympic Committee entrusting the care of their athletes to Dr. Sterett in Salt Lake City, Torino, Vancouver and Sochi.

Dr. Sterett is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and is one of the few physicians who have earned a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine.

Dr. Sterett has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and has lectured regionally, nationally and internationally on hundreds of occasions over the past twenty years. He currently holds patents on orthopedic devices involved in Joint Preservation and works as a consultant to Arthrex and Biomet sports medicine companies.

Dr. Sterett started the Athletic Training Fellowship Program in Vail, Colorado, and served as its Fellowship Director for 15 years. Additionally, he has served as the Medical Director for the Eagle County School District for 14 years, making daily return-to-play decisions and treating local student athletes. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director for the Vail Valley Surgery Centers and has for the past 12 years.

http://www.drsterett.com