It’s not remarkable that many of us have either personally experienced knee pain or heard someone else complain. In any case, this is a prevalent complaint that affects people of all ages, even more so for older people.
Signs of Knee Pain
When your loved one has knee pain, they may describe the knee as “achy” or “painful.” However, this is rarely the whole narrative. If you ask them to elaborate, they may mention that they also experience or observe:
- Redness and warmth at the site of the injury
- inflammation and discomfort
- Instability and deficiency
- Abnormal knee sounds (occasionally cracking or crushing).
- Pain that only occurs during specific movements (such as climbing or descending stairs).
- Constant discomfort even when at leisure
The severity and location of knee discomfort depend on the underlying cause.
Knee Pain Treatments
Your doctor or healthcare provider will decide on a suitable treatment plan for your knee pain treatment in Singapore. This may include medication, injections, therapy, or surgery only after determining the cause of your pain.
Medication
It is common for physicians to prescribe medication, particularly for patients who cannot perform daily activities due to knee discomfort. The type of medication prescribed depends on the nature of the pain: if there is no inflammation, the doctor may prescribe painkillers such as paracetamol. Alternatively, you may be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to address the inflammation if you have an inflamed knee.
If your underlying condition contributes to your knee pain, your doctor will likely prescribe additional medications.
Injectable medications
In some instances, substances are injected directly into the joint as part of the treatment for knee discomfort. For instance, the doctor may administer corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and arthritis flare-ups. Hyaluronic acid may also be used to lubricate your joints.
Physiotherapy
If the doctor determines that your knee pain is caused by muscle atrophy or improper movement, they may recommend physiotherapy. A common objective of this treatment is to increase your range of motion and strengthen your muscles to prevent future injuries.
Those who participate in sports or have occupations that exacerbate their condition may require physical therapy to promote correct posture and movement.
Surgery
At last, there will be surgery. If you require surgery, you will have to undertake it immediately. For instance, there is partial and total knee replacement surgery. The surgeon will be replacing the damaged portion of your knee with plastic and metal during the partial knee replacement procedure. In total replacement surgery, however, they will use high-grade metals to substitute the damaged patella, shinbone, or thighbone.
When should I consult a physician about knee pain?
When we experience knee discomfort, we may resort to home remedies as our initial course of action. However, if not performed correctly, self-diagnosis and self-treatment can be harmful. The best course of action is to visit a physician to determine the underlying cause and receive the appropriate treatment.
Certain symptoms may indicate that a more serious condition is causing your knee pain. Make an appointment with the doctor if you or a family member:
- Cannot support weight on either limb
- Feel extreme knee discomfort even when not bearing weight
- Hear sounds of buckling, clicking, or locking
- Observe swelling
- Cannot completely extend or flex the knee
- Observe a discernible deformity in the knee
- Experience fever, pain, erythema, and oedema in the affected knee
- Observe severe knee pain following an injury