Knee pain can make climbing stairs, standing from a sitting position, and many other common movements terribly difficult. At Urgent Orthopaedic Care, experienced orthopedic surgeon Vlad Gendelman, MD, QME, AME, FAAOS, can diagnose and resolve your knee pain using conservative and cutting-edge techniques that require little to no downtime. Call either of the two offices in the Echo Park and North Hollywood areas of Los Angeles, California, or book your appointment online today.
Knee Pain Q & A
What Causes Knee Pain?
Many ailments can trigger acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) knee pain. Common causes of knee pain include:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
- Meniscus tear
- Cartilage tear
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Kneecap dislocation
- Bursitis, inflammation in the sacs that cushion joints
Knee pain affects all ages, but it does grow more common as you age. The cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues in your knee joint wear down over the years, making you more vulnerable to knee injury and pain.
Other factors like extra weight can increase pressure and stress on your knees, making you more vulnerable to knee pain.
Active people are also susceptible to knee pain, especially those involved in sports that stress the knees, such as distance running. Athletes who play sports that require quick and sharp movements, like basketball and soccer, also have an increased risk of knee pain and injuries.
When Should I Seek Treatment for knee pain?
If you’re experiencing knee pain after an accident, or if your knee pain lasts more than a couple of days, regardless of how it happened, reach out to Urgent Orthopaedic Care for help.
Dr. Gendelman treats both sudden knee trauma and degenerative knee disease equally effectively — and both are best treated early.
Knee pain is never normal, so it’s important to pay attention to the issue even if it just happens occasionally or only during specific activities. For example, sporadic knee pain could indicate osteoarthritis, which is most treatable when diagnosed early.
How is knee pain treated?
At Urgent Orthopaedic Care, Dr. Gendelman gives you all the possible treatment options, with advice tailored for your unique situation. He does everything possible to help you find effective pain relief without surgery.
Effective nonsurgical treatment options typically include activity modification, lifestyle changes, physical rehabilitation, oral medication, corticosteroid injections, and Multiwave Locked System (MLS®) laser therapy.
MLS therapy can reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain and also kick-start your body’s natural healing processes. As many as 9 in 10 patients experience dramatic results with MLS therapy.
Some types of knee pain, for example, a complete ACL tear or late-stage osteoarthritis, may require a surgical approach. If you opt for surgery, Dr. Gendelman is a highly experienced surgeon with extensive skills in both minimally invasive and traditional open surgery techniques.
Don’t struggle through life with knee pain. Find long-term relief by calling Urgent Orthopaedic Care, or click on the provided booking tool now.
