Wondering If Your Knee Pain Is Serious? Know These Things Now

When you live an active lifestyle and do what you can to feel energized and healthy, it can put your body at the risk of certain types of pains or injuries. If you have twisted, tweaked or done something to your knee, and the problem won't go away, you want to see an orthopaedic doctor. Since your knees are one of the main components of your legs and used daily, taking care of this body part is vital. You will want to see a medical professional if you are dealing with any of the following issues when it comes to your knee.

Swelling and Pain Is Unbearable

Swelling and pain is an indication that that there is an injury. If the anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medications aren't working, this means the injury isn't healing and it may need surgery or another form of treatment. Talk with your physician to let them know that the knee pain is chronic and debilitating, and that you want to see a knee specialist if you can't get into one without a referral.

The Joint Has Poor Mobility

If it is difficult to bend your knee or make sudden movements even when the knee isn't swollen, this is an indicator that there is something wrong in the joint, and that you potentially have a problem like torn ligaments or cartilage. Arthritis could be another concern. Tell the orthopaedic doctor if you can't move your knee in a certain way or direction, because this could be a symptom of a specific type of injury.

You Hear Cracking and Popping

Cracking and popping often indicates that there are tears or flaws with the cartilage, the ligaments or tendons in the knee, or it could be something more serious like bones grinding together. You want to see if you can rush the diagnosis process by getting an MRI of the joint, so you can see all of the muscles and tissues.

You don't want to put off proper treatment for a knee injury, especially if the injury is serious enough to need surgery. Continue to rest, elevate ice and compress the injury, and use any medications as directed as it helps until you can get into the doctor. The doctor will have more information for you when they see the images of the inside of your knee, and then you can determine the best and fastest options for treatment.

Contact doctors at clinics like Omaha Orthopedic Clinic & Sports Medicine PC to learn more about your next steps.