Knee Pain

Knees work hard every day, and sometimes they suffer overuse and degeneration injuries. If you’re struggling with chronic knee pain, visit Balcones Pain Consultants at their offices in Austin, Cedar Park, or Marble Falls, Texas. The experienced pain specialists use advanced therapies such as genicular nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation to relieve the most hard-to-treat knee pain. For expert diagnosis and effective knee pain treatment, call Balcones Pain Consultants today or schedule a consultation online.

What is knee pain?

Knee pain is a frequent problem, especially as you age or if weight gain puts more pressure on the joints.

Knees contain the ends of your lower leg bone (tibia) and thigh bone (femur), with another piece of bone (the patella or kneecap) capping them. Ligaments connect these bones to each other and keep your knee stable. Muscles are attached by tendons to the bones and enable you to move your legs.

Your knees bear your body’s weight during any activity that uses your legs, including standing, walking, and running. Therefore, these parts of your body are prone to injuries and chronic pain.

What commonly causes knee pain?

Common conditions that cause knee pain include:

Arthritis 

The term arthritis includes numerous joint diseases that are leading causes of knee pain. Osteoarthritis affects more people than any other form, causing pain and stiffness after years of joint use that erodes the protective coating on your bones.

Another common condition is rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune disorder, which means a fault in your immune system causes it to destroy your joint linings.

Ligament injuries

Injuries like sprains and tears to your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) are common sports injuries.

Cartilage damage

The articular cartilage protecting your bones can tear. Wedges of cartilage called the menisci can also suffer damage.

Patellar tendonitis

The patellar tendon at the front of your knee can become inflamed from overuse.

Bursitis

Knee bursitis is inflammation of the cushioning sacs of fluid called bursae in your joints. It’s a common condition in people who kneel much of the time.

What symptoms might occur with knee pain?

Other symptoms that often develop alongside knee pain include:

• Reddened skin
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Heat in the knee
• Weakness
• Instability
• Popping and/or crunching sounds
• Inability to fully straighten the leg
• Not being able to bear weight on the affected leg

To diagnose your knee pain, Balcones Pain Consultants performs a physical exam. They might need you to have an X-ray or a diagnostic imaging scan such as a CT or MRI to assess your knee pain.

How is knee pain treated?

Balcones Pain Consultants uses nonsurgical, interventional methods to treat knee pain. Depending on what’s causing your knee pain and how severe it is, your personalized treatment plan might include:

• A brace or splint
• Rest and activity modification
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy
• Hyaluronic acid injections
• Steroid injections
• Genicular nerve blocks
• Genicular radiofrequency ablation
• Peripheral nerve stimulation

Many people also get relief through biologic injections like platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

To find the perfect treatment for your knee pain, call Balcones Pain Consultants today or book an appointment online.