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December 26, 2019

Surgery for Knee Pain

Advances in knee surgery mean recovery is quicker. If your knee pain doesn’t go away following other prescribed treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery. Which type of surgery you have will depend on your particular injury or condition. Surgery is often used to treat knee pain due to a mechanical problem, such as a torn cartilage or ligament, or to treat knees that are ravaged by osteoarthritis. Surgery for Knee Pain Due to Injury Arthroscopy is a procedure in which your orthopedic surgeon uses a small camera to both diagnose and treat knee pain. “Arthroscopy is usually used for a mechanical problem, such as a torn meniscus or ligaments,” says William Bargar, MD, director of the Joint Replacement Center at Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento, Calif., and a spokesperson […]
December 26, 2019

Knee Pain: Do You Need a Doctor’s Care?

When knee pain occurs, it’s tempting to just live with the discomfort — and in many cases, that’s an acceptable course of action. “Eighty percent of the knee problems people have will resolve by themselves within a period of time,” says Robert Gotlin, DO, director of orthopedic and sports rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. But in some cases of knee pain, it’s better to seek medical advice than to tough it out. If you’re aching but unsure whether to see the doctor, check out our list of signs that your knee pain needs professional help. Knee Pain Symptoms: Difficulty Walking It seems obvious, but if the pain in your knee is preventing you from walking — or causing you to walk with […]
December 26, 2019

Diagnosing Knee Pain

If you’re feeling pain in your knee, chances are you’re not alone. “The knee is probably the most common physical injury we see these days,” says Robert Gotlin, DO, director of orthopedic and sports rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. “It’s due to the fact that we’re much more active now at both older and younger ages.” When you go to the doctor with a potential knee injury, there are several methods to diagnose your knee pain. Medical history: Your doctor will begin by taking a history. This is the who, what, where, why, when, and how long of your knee pain. Questions about whether the injury is acute or chronic, if there is swelling, and severe vs. minor pain will help your doctor narrow the […]
December 26, 2019

How to Keep Your Knees Healthy

Healthy knees are important to your well-being, but painful injuries like “runner’s knee,” ACL tears and tendonitis are all too common. In fact, women are more likely than men to suffer serious knee trouble. Read how the knee works, what can go wrong and how to prevent getting hurt. Plus, learn how to strengthen leg muscles and reduce pain with a knee workout… Although they’re the largest joints in the body, your knees are also among the most vulnerable to injury. And women face a higher risk, especially if they’re active. But if you take precautions, you can reduce the likelihood of painful or even debilitating damage. “Knee injuries generally fall into two categories: macro traumas and overuse injuries,” says John Hurley, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon […]
December 25, 2019

How to prevent and treat knee injuries

The knee is a complex structure and one of the most stressed joints in the body. It is the largest joint, vital for movement, and vulnerable to injury. The knee is the most commonly injured joint by adolescent athletes with an estimated 2.5 million sports-related injuries annually. Fast facts on knee anatomy The knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body. The knee joins together the thigh bone, shin bone, fibula (on the outer side of the shin), and kneecap. The knee is a synovial joint, meaning it contains a fluid-filled capsule. Participation in sports and recreational activities are risk factors for knee injury. A direct blow to the knee is a serious injury and requires immediate medical attention. Knee anatomy The knee is designed […]