Best Treatment For Knee Pain

Quick Summary

Knee pain can affect mobility, exercise, work, and everyday activities. Common causes include runner’s knee, IT band syndrome, meniscus tears, ligament injuries, and osteoarthritis. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include rest, exercise, physical therapy, medication, injections, or surgery. For some musculoskeletal conditions, chiropractic care may also play a role in managing pain and improving movement. At Elite Spine & Health Center, patients can discuss their symptoms and treatment options with an experienced team. Understanding the cause of knee pain can help you take appropriate steps toward relief and prevention.

It’s time to take a knee and talk about the pain you’re experiencing.

Repetitive pressure on your knees can cause wear and tear, resulting in a number of possible knee injuries. Frequent knee pain affects about 25% of adults, which can limit mobility, functionality, and quality of life.

Instead of letting your knee pain impact your life and happiness, it’s time to find an appropriate treatment for knee pain.

Keep reading to discover different knee conditions, how to relieve knee pain, knee pain treatment options, and prevention tips. With this guide, you can better understand what may be causing your discomfort and when to seek professional care.

Types of Knee Pain

There are a few common conditions and types of knee pain people often experience. The right treatment depends on the cause, severity, and duration of your symptoms.

Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee refers to a number of different conditions related to kneecap pain, including:

• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Chondromalacia patella
• Patellofemoral malalignment
• Anterior knee pain syndrome
• Quadriceps Tendinitis
• Patella Tendinitis

Any activity that causes repetitive stress on the knee can cause this condition, including:

• Walking
• Skiing
• Biking
• Jumping
• Cycling
• Playing soccer

You’ll likely experience an aching pain behind the kneecap. Other symptoms include grinding or clicking around your knee and discomfort that worsens with activity.

IT Band Syndrome

Also known as iliotibial band syndrome, IT band syndrome is a lateral knee injury. Overusing your knees, including extension and flexion, often causes this injury. You might also experience hip pain as the IT band tightens, becomes irritated or inflamed.

Athletes who use their knees commonly often develop IT band syndrome, including:

• Runners
• Cyclists
• Hikers
• Basketball players
• Soccer players
• Weight lifters

You might develop this condition if you’re not warming up or cooling down before/after exercise. Straining your body and wearing improper shoes can also cause IT band syndrome.

Meniscus Tear

A sudden turn, deep squat, or heavy lifting can cause you to tear the meniscus, which is a piece of cartilage between the femur and tibia. Athletes are most at risk, including people who play:

• Tennis
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Football

Patients with osteoarthritis are at higher risk.

Symptoms include:

• A popping sound around the knee joint
• Limited range of motion
• Swelling
• Pain
• The feeling that your knee is locking

Call a doctor if your knee locks and you’re unable to strengthen your leg.

ACL/MCL/LCL/PCL Sprain

ACL, MCL, LCL, and PCL sprains are all types of knee ligament injuries:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (the most common knee ligament injury)
• Posterior cruciate ligament
• Lateral collateral ligament
• Medial collateral ligament

Symptoms can include sudden and severe pain, swelling, and an inability to put weight on the joint without experiencing pain. A significant knee injury may require prompt medical evaluation to rule out a serious ligament or structural injury.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee pain, particularly as people age. In fact, about one in four adults with arthritis, which accounts for 15 million people, report severe joint pain as a result of their arthritis.

This condition is caused by joint damage, which can occur over time. Other causes include past injuries, such as torn cartilage or dislocated joints.

Symptoms include inflammation, pain, tenderness, and stiffness.

How to Relieve Knee Pain: Treatments

When discussing how to relieve knee pain with your doctor, they’ll likely choose the knee pain treatment that best reflects your condition.

If your doctor thinks an inflammation or infection is the problem, they’ll start with a blood test. Some doctors may suggest an arthrocentesis procedure. During this procedure, the doctor will take a small amount of fluid from your knee joint for testing.

For underlying conditions, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will likely recommend appropriate medications or other medical treatments for knee pain relief.

Physical therapies and exercise can also work for knee pain treatment.

For example, physical therapy and exercises can strengthen the muscles around the knee. Physically active patients, on the other hand, will require specific exercises to correct movement patterns that are causing knee pain.

Chiropractic care may also be considered for certain musculoskeletal causes of knee pain. A chiropractor can evaluate movement, joint function, and surrounding muscles to determine whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate. Depending on your needs, care may include chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic exercises, or other rehabilitation techniques.

Your doctor might suggest injection medications for knee pain treatment, such as:

• Corticosteroids
• Hyaluronic acid
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

Intense knee injuries may require surgery. Possible surgeries that can help if you’re looking for how to relieve knee pain include:

• Arthroscopic surgery
• Partial knee replacement surgery
• Total knee replacement

Ask your doctor about the best treatment for your knee condition.

RICE Method

For an at-home treatment, try the RICE method. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, elevation.

First, take a break from activities that cause a strain on your knees. Then, ice the area to reduce inflammation and pain. Don’t use the ice for longer than 20-minute intervals.

Then, compress the area to prevent fluid buildup. Compression will help you stabilize the knee while keeping it aligned.

Finally, elevate your leg on a pillow to reduce swelling.

If knee pain is severe, follows a significant injury, prevents you from bearing weight, or is accompanied by marked swelling or instability, seek medical evaluation rather than relying only on home treatment.

Prevention

It’s also important to learn how to relieve knee pain before your pain escalates.

To prevent your knee pain from getting worse, make sure not to rest too much. Remaining sedentary can weaken your muscles and make the pain worse. Instead, find an exercise program, talk with your doctor, or visit a physical therapist.

Cardio exercise will strengthen your knee muscles and increase your flexibility. Other exercises for knee pain prevention include:

• Weight training
• Stretching
• Swimming
• Walking
• Water aerobics
• Stationary cycling
• Elliptical machines
• Tai chi

Falling can also increase your knee pain, so don’t risk it. Instead, make sure your home is well lit and use stools or ladders when reaching for high shelves. You should also use a handrail when climbing staircases to prevent a fall.

Heavy body weight can put more stress on your knee. To prevent knee pain, maintain a healthy diet and work on losing weight. Even a small weight difference can relieve the pressure on your knees.

Maintaining a healthy weight may also reduce the amount of stress placed on your knees. The shoes you wear can add to your knee pain as well.

Find shoes with cushioned insoles to reduce stress on your knees. Using a walking aid or wearing a knee brace may also be appropriate for some people, depending on the underlying condition and advice from a healthcare professional.

Let’s Take a Knee: Your Guide on How to Relieve Knee Pain

Don’t let your knee pain slow you down. With this guide on how to relieve knee pain, you can better understand your treatment options and take steps toward managing your symptoms.

If knee pain is interfering with your work, exercise, sleep, or daily activities, a professional evaluation can help identify potential causes and appropriate treatment options.

Set an appointment with Elite Spine & Health Center today to discuss your knee pain and whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for your condition.

Frequently Asked Questions