KNEE PAIN Q & A
WHY DOES MY KNEE HURT
Knee problems can arise at any age due to injury, overuse or wear-and-tear over time. Your knee is responsible for supporting your weight as you move from sitting to standing, walking, pivoting, and running. Overall, the most common cause of knee pain is wear-and-tear, though other possible causes include:
Sports injuries
Direct trauma
Overuse injuries
Structural abnormalities
Severe knee pain should be examined right away — especially if you heard a “pop” during the injury, or if the knee can’t bend or support your weight. If your knee pain is accompanied by any of these symptoms, Dr. Wusu recommends an immediate consultation to avoid long-term damage.
HOW IS KNEE PAIN DIAGNOSED?
To diagnose the cause of your knee pain, Dr. Wusu begins with a consultation to understand your symptoms, the location of your pain, and activities or movements that increase or decrease your pain. After your consultation, he examines your knees for signs of swelling, bruising, stiffness, and weakness.
Some of the orthopedic tests that Dr. Wusu performs can cause slight pain, so let him know if you're experiencing discomfort at any time. He may order X-rays or an MRI, if needed.
HOW DO ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS TREAT KNEE PAIN?
Once Dr. Wusu identifies the cause of your knee pain, he provides treatment recommendations to relieve your symptoms and improve the function of your knee. In many cases, conservative care is enough to relieve knee pain. Conservative options include:
Activity modification
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy
Bracing
Injections, including corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma, or stem cell therapy