Everything you need to know about knee pain causes and Treatment

1.  What are the common causes of knee pain?

   Knee pain can be caused post an injury. A knee injury ranges widely from injuries to the ligament, tendons, bursas (fluid-filled sacs that surround your knee), bones, cartilage and menisci that form the knee joint. ACL injuries are the most common ligament injuries, particularly affecting people who play sports or have frequent torsional movement at the knee. Patellar tendonitis is the inflammation of the patellar tendon commonly occurring in runners, skiers, or people involved in jumping sports. Some knee injuries cause the inflammation of the bursae causing knee pain. The bones of the knees can be fractured during trauma including the patella. The tough, shock-absorber menisci can get torn by sudden twists of the knee in weight-bearing. In older age, knee pain can be caused due to degenerative changes in the bones called Osteoarthritis.
   With 56 years of Orthopedic expertise and promising results, Sancheti Hospital is a one-stop solution to knee problems. If you have any knee problems, it’s time to visit Sancheti Hospital to get customized knee pain treatment.

2. What are the common knee conditions that cause pain?

   The common pain-causing conditions that affect the knee joint are:

   1. Osteoarthritis: It is a degenerative condition. OA is the most common type of arthritis with signs like the reduction in joint space, formation of bony spurs, and reduction in bone density visible on a radiograph. This wear-and-tear condition occurs as the cartilage in the knee deteriorates with increased use and age.
   2. Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disease that affects almost any joint in the body including the knee joint.
   3. Gout: A type of arthritis when uric acid crystals build up in the joint. It commonly affects the great toe but can affect the knee joints too.
   4. Pseudogout: In this condition, calcium-containing crystals develop in the joint fluid.
   5. Septic arthritis: Septic arthritis causes damage to the cartilage leading to redness, swelling and pain.
   6. Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Pain that occurs between the kneecap and the thighbone, commonly seen in athletes when the kneecap doesn’t track properly in the groove.
   7. Iliotibial band syndrome: A tough band that extends from your hip to the outside of your knee (iliotibial band) becomes so tight that it rubs against the outer portion of your thigh bone.

   Be it any condition causing knee pain, Sancheti Hospital, Pune provides comprehensive orthopedic care catering to all your needs. With 56 years of promising results and ranking as the 2nd best orthopedic hospital in India, Sancheti Hospital continues to provide promising orthopedic healthcare to its patients.

3.  What are the common symptoms of knee pain?

   The location and the pain scale may vary depending on the cause of the pain. A few commonest signs and symptoms of knee pain are:

   • Knee stiffness.
   • Swelling.
   • Weakness and instability.
   • Popping or crunching noises.
   • Inability to fully straighten the knee.
   • Redness and warmth to touch.

   If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to visit an expert and get treated for it. Sancheti Hospital Pune provides a comprehensive range of orthopedic services with the use of the latest technology, experts who specialise in treating knee conditions and In-patient and Outpatient physiotherapy.

4.  When should I consider going to an orthopedician?

   It is your time to pay a visit to an orthopedician when you experience the following problems:

   1. Pain on weight-bearing (involves activities like sitting to stand, standing, walking etc.)
   2. You feel that the knee is unstable or gives out.
   3. Have marked swelling at the knee.
   4. If you are unable to fully bend or straighten your knee.
   5. See any obvious deformity in your knee.
   6. Having severe knee pain associated with a history of injury.

   Visit Sancheti Hospital Pune, book a hassle-free appointment and meet the expert orthopedics who specialises in providing the best knee pain treatment.

5.  How can I prevent knee pain?

   The following suggestions may help in the prevention of knee pain

   1. Maintain a healthy weight: Those extra pounds put additional strain on your knees, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.
   2. Be prepared to play the sport: Take time for conditioning and prepare the muscles for demands/participation in the sports activities.
   3. Get strong, get flexible: Weak muscles can lead to injuries. Strengthening for quadriceps and hamstring muscles helps support the knees. Balance and agility training help muscles around the knee function efficiently.
   4. Be smart about your exercises: It is always advisable to take an opinion from the physiotherapist if you are suffering from chronic knee pain or if you have osteoarthritis. A physiotherapist will plan exercises catering to your needs considering your pain.

   Physiotherapy OPD at Sancheti Hospital Pune is a well-set and equipped clinic with experienced physiotherapists who give special attention to the subjective needs of the patients and encourage and track their timely progress.

Knee Pain Treatment

1.  What are the indications to undergo knee surgery?

   You should consider a knee surgery if you experience the following

   1. Severe knee pain on weight-bearing.
   2. Destruction of knee cartilage due to osteoarthritis.
   3. Destruction of the lining of the knee due to immune system attack in Rheumatoid arthritis.
   4. Significant knee joint deformity (Genu valgum/ Genu varum).
   5. Failure of non-operative management for pain (medicines, injections or physiotherapy).
   6. Other causes: Torn ligaments or broken bone may lead to secondary arthritis that causes pain and movement limitations.

   Sancheti Hospital, Pune provides comprehensive orthopedic care catering to all your needs. With 56 years of promising results and ranking as the 2nd best orthopedic hospital in India, Sancheti Hospital continues to provide promising knee surgeries for the elderly to young athletes.

2.  What should I expect from a Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

   Knee replacement surgery is a procedure that involves prosthetic replacement (artificial joint) made up of metal alloys and high-grade polymers with the damaged bone and cartilage from the thigh bone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). An orthopedic surgeon evaluates your knee’s range of motion, stability, and strength to see if a knee replacement is ideal for you. X-rays aid in the assessment. Depending on your age, weight, activity level, level of damage to the knee joint, and overall health, the surgeon can choose from a variety of knee replacement prostheses and surgical approaches. Sancheti Hospital Pune provides pain relief, increased mobility, and a better quality of life. In-patient physiotherapy is started on the same day of the surgery. After 3 to 6 weeks, daily activities can be progressively resumed.

3.  How will a surgery improve my quality of life?

   Knee replacement surgery offers pain relief, increased mobility, and a better quality of life. After 3 to 6 weeks, daily activities can be progressively resumed.
   After the surgery, it takes approx three months to resume normal activities. The majority of the patients walk without limping and do not require the use of a cane. Specialists in knee replacement surgery at Sancheti Hospital have achieved remarkable results with no or fewer complications.

4.  What is conservative knee treatment?

   Before you undergo surgery, your doctor may ask you to try various conservative knee treatments. Conservative knee treatment is treating knee pain with non-surgical options. In some cases, these treatment methods help prevent knee problems. They are:

   1. Physiotherapy
   2. Anti-inflammatory medications
   3. Steroid injections
   4. Weight loss

   However, if the symptoms worsen and continue to affect your quality of life, you may need surgery. Sancheti Hospital Pune masters in providing orthopedic care be it expert opinion or conservative treatment in the form of physiotherapy.

5. How much does knee replacement surgery cost?

   Knee Replacement Surgery cost depends on the following factors:

   1. The tools and types of equipment used in the procedure.
   2. Types of implant selected.
   3. Requirement of procedures for additional knee corrections.

   Sancheti Hospital Pune guarantees the use of the best quality implants and the use of the latest tools and technology.