Which Doctor to Consult For Knee Pain?

Our knees carry double the body weight while standing and walking and even more when we jog or run! Good healthy knees are extremely important for us to live an active lifestyle, so any pain or injury in the knee needs to be taken care of… immediately!

In case of a major knee injury with distinct swelling, redness or deformity, severe pain, popping / crunching noise in the knee, stiffness and inability to bend the knees, stand or walk, a reputed Orthopedic Surgeon who is a Knee Specialist like Dr. Arunava Lala needs to be consulted immediately.

Common Causes of Knee Pain :

• Injuries like ACL and MCL ligament tears, knee fractures, knee dislocation and Meniscal tears.
• Arthritis in the Knee, mostly Osteoarthritis , Rheumatoid arthritis and Septic arthritis
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Often called “runner’s knee” or “jumper’s knee,” it can cause pain and stiffness in the front of the knee and around the kneecap, making it difficult to climb stairs or kneel.
• Pes anserine (knee tendon) bursitis: An inflammation of the bursae (cushion) between the tibia and the hamstring’s three tendons that causes pain on the inside of your knee, below the joint.

Diagnosing Knee Pain

Determining the cause of knee pain typically begins with a physical exam conducted by your Knee Specialist to help determine the origin and severity of your pain.
If your knee pain requires more detailed evaluation, your knee doctor, will most likely take imaging tests to see your knee joint in greater detail, including X-rays to check the bones in the knee joint or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to check the cartilage and ligaments in the knee. Depending on the results of these imaging tests, your orthopedic surgeon may prescribe a conservative treatment plan which could include medication, exercise, joint injections or a supervised therapy program including regular physiotherapy sessions with the use of TENS or other simulating machines. A surgical procedure might be also being recommended if needed.

Treating Knee Pain

Knowing who can treat knee pain can help ensure that you receive proper care for your injury or condition. Minor knee injuries can be managed by resting the knee, icing it, compressing it and elevating it. Your orthopedic doctor might also prescribe pain medications if you have severe pain or recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers for milder pain.
If you have a more serious cause of knee pain, such as a torn ligament and other symptoms discussed above, you should see a knee specialist, who might recommend undergoing a surgical procedure to repair the problem, reposition certain structures within the knee or replace the knee joint with an artificial one, such as total knee replacement. Your knee specialist will go over all of your surgical options and help you determine which procedure offers you the best solution for your particular knee pain and restoring normal knee joint function.
When you meet with your orthopedic surgeon, ask questions about these procedures, such as their success rates, the steps involved in performing them, the recovery process, and the risks associated with each procedure. Knowing these answers helps you weigh the pros and cons of each procedure to decide which one will be most beneficial and comfortable to you.
If you have knee pain that is not improving, please contact Dr Arunava Lala in Kolkata to make an appointment. Dr Lala with his team of knee experts will offer effective treatments to relieve knee pain and lower the risk of reoccurrence so that you lead a pain free, active and happy life !