Knee Pain

What causes knee pain?

The expert team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation provides patient-centered care for many problems that cause knee pain, including:

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to affect the knee. As a weight-bearing joint, the knee is especially prone to this wear-and-tear form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis also affects the knees. 

Tendonitis

Tendon inflammation can result from overuse due to repetitive activities like running and cycling. Jumper’s knee is a type of tendonitis that affects the patellar tendon and often affects athletes who play jumping sports like basketball. 

Cartilage tears

Meniscus tears are the most common type of cartilage tears in the knee. You can tear your meniscus by suddenly twisting your knee while bearing weight on it. 

Sprains and strains

Ligament sprains and muscle strains can happen when you receive a blow to the knee or suddenly stop and change directions while running. A severe sprain involves a tear in the ligament. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee. 

Other joint problems

Sometimes, conditions like heel pain from plantar fasciitis or hip pain may cause you to change the way you walk or stand. Over time, this may cause misalignments that lead to knee pain. 

Obesity can also put excess stress on the knees and cause pain.

How is knee pain diagnosed?

The team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation thoroughly evaluates your condition in order to determine the most appropriate treatment. 

They perform a physical exam and review your symptoms and medical history. They may also take imaging tests, like an on-site X-ray or musculoskeletal ultrasound, to look for damage inside your knee. 

How is knee pain treated?

After they diagnose the cause of your knee pain, the team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation creates an individualized treatment plan. Depending on your needs, treatment for knee pain may include one or more of the following therapies:

• Physical therapy
• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Orthotics

They may also recommend lifestyle changes, like maintaining a healthy weight or modifying activities to reduce stress on your knee. Usually, a combination of complementary treatments produces optimal results.

For noninvasive treatments for knee pain, call 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, or book an appointment online today.