Knee Pain Treatment in North Alabama
Get back to moving comfortably with expert knee pain care.
Knee pain is a common symptom in people of all ages. Because you use your knee so much, it is vulnerable to injury — and it is one of the most common reasons people visit a pain specialist. Most knee problems can be prevented or treated with simple measures like exercise or training programs, while others may require surgery.
Our pain management specialists are specially trained to help identify the source of your knee pain and get you back to normal functioning.
A Closer Look at Your Knee
Your knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in your body. It joins your thigh bone to the shin bones and your kneecap, and it contains cartilage that helps the knee move smoothly while acting as a shock absorber for your body.
Because there are so many complex parts of the knee, it can often be at risk for pain or injury.
You may be at increased risk for knee pain if you:
- ✓Are overweight and putting increased stress on your knee joints
- ✓Overuse your knee
- ✓Have a history of arthritis
- ✓Lack muscle flexibility or strength to help stabilize and protect your joints
- ✓Participate in sports or activities with jumping, turning or running
- ✓Have a physically demanding job such as construction or farming
- ✓Suffered from a previous knee injury
What Are Common Causes of Knee Pain?
Knee pain may start suddenly, often after an injury or exercise, or it may begin as a mild discomfort that slowly gets worse. Some common causes of knee pain include:
Strain or Sprain
Minor injuries to the ligaments caused by sudden or unnatural twisting.
Dislocation of the Kneecap
The kneecap slips out of its normal position, causing pain and instability.
Bursitis
Inflammation from repeated pressure on the knee, such as kneeling for a long time, overuse or injury.
Fracture
A break of the kneecap or other bones in or around the knee.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Injury to the thick band that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee.
Patellofemoral Syndrome
Pain in the front of your knee, around the kneecap.
Torn Ligament
An ACL or MCL injury may cause bleeding into your knee, swelling or an unstable knee.
Torn Cartilage (Meniscus Tear)
Pain felt on the inside or outside of the knee joint.
Which Medical Conditions Cause Knee Pain?
Knee pain may also be caused by medical conditions such as:
- Knee arthritis — including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus and gout
- Baker cyst — a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee that may occur with inflammation from other causes, such as arthritis
- Cancers — those that either spread to your bones or begin in the bones
- Infection in the bones of the knee
- Infection in the knee joint
What Can I Do to Relieve Knee Pain?
Sometimes rest is all your knee needs to get back to normal function. Other times, it can be more serious and require a provider’s attention. Simple causes of knee pain often clear up on their own while you take steps to manage your symptoms. If knee pain is caused by an accident or injury, you should contact Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants.
If your knee pain is not severe, you can:
- Rest and avoid activities that cause pain.
- Avoid putting weight on your knee.
- Apply ice — first every hour for up to 15 minutes, then at least 4 times per day after the first day. Cover your knee with a towel before applying ice, and do not fall asleep with it on.
- Keep your knee raised as much as possible to bring down swelling.
- Wear an elastic bandage or sleeve to reduce swelling and provide support.
- Sleep with a pillow underneath or between your knees.
- Take medication — ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) for pain and swelling, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. Talk to us before taking these if you have medical problems or have used them for more than a day or two.
When Should I Seek Treatment?
We are specially trained to assist you with your knee pain and help you get back to normal functioning. We can talk through your concerns, work with you to find the right treatment, and advise you regarding other specialties or surgeries if necessary.
Schedule a consultation with Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants if:
- ✓You cannot bear weight on your knee
- ✓You have severe pain, even when not bearing weight
- ✓Your knee buckles, clicks or locks
- ✓Your knee is deformed or misshapen
- ✓You cannot flex your knee or have trouble straightening it all the way
- ✓You have a fever, redness or warmth around the knee, or a lot of swelling
- ✓You have pain, swelling, numbness, tingling or bluish discoloration in the calf below the sore knee
- ✓You still have pain after three days of home treatment
How Can Knee Pain Be Treated?
We have many options to help get you the relief you need. If you’ve been dealing with knee pain, we can visit with you to create a plan. Treatment options for knee pain may include:
Injections
Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation, hyaluronic acid injections to improve mobility and ease pain, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that use growth factors to help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Medications
Anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Other Treatment Options
Physical therapy to make the muscles around your knee more stable, acupuncture, posture-strengthening exercises and arch supports to shift pressure. Learn more about physical therapy.
The team at Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants will perform a physical exam and closely look at your knee. You will be asked questions to help your pain management specialist understand your knee problem. Blood or imaging tests, such as x-rays or MRI, may also be ordered to help diagnose the problem. We may see you for other visits to discuss your successes, setbacks and your plan for full relief moving forward.
How Can I Avoid Future Knee Injuries?
Follow these general tips to help relieve and prevent knee pain:
- Always warm up before exercising
- Stretch your muscles
- Cool down after exercising
- Wear proper footwear when exercising
- Avoid running down hills
- Find alternatives to running
- Reduce the amount of exercise you do
- Run on a smooth, soft surface, such as a track, instead of cement or pavement
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Modify activities that include jumping or put extra stress on your knee
- Get help with flat feet or try shoe inserts
Schedule a consultation for knee pain treatment with Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants today!
We are committed to your peace of mind. Pain can be an all-consuming problem, and we can help get you on your way to living free of knee pain. We are qualified in the latest research and treatment options, and we value the trust you place in us. Contact us today to schedule a consultation in Huntsville or Scottsboro — call your preferred location directly or request an appointment online using our secure form.