Athletes And Knee Pain With A Sports Medicine Specialist

Knee pain is a common complaint among athletes. Sports require a significant amount of force, speed, and change of direction. Some athletes participate in contact sports, so sports injuries are possible. Knee pain can limit mobility in the everyday person and prevent performance among athletes. A sports medicine specialist can address knee pain, especially if the issue is chronic. Based on the severity of knee pain and the underlying cause, the specialist can recommend surgical and non-surgical treatment.

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Reasons for knee pain

While knee pain is a common complaint, the reasons for pain are varied. Most cases are due to overuse. Soreness can form, especially after long hours of athletic activity. Overuse can also lead to inflammation conditions such as bursitis, tendinitis, arthritis, or patellofemoral pain syndrome. Sprains and strains can also occur with overuse or falls. With a knee sprain, the ligaments or tendons become overstretched or potentially torn. More severe knee injuries tear or damage cartilage or ligaments. Examples include meniscus tears, patellar tendon tears, and ligament tears. A doctor or specialist can diagnose the reason for knee pain before moving forward with treatment.

Non-surgical treatment options

Most cases of knee pain can be resolved by non-surgical strategies. A specialist will suggest pain management in the form of over-the-counter oral medication, opioids, or corticosteroid injections. Medication is combined with the rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) method. These techniques reduce inflammation and give the knee time to heal. Some conditions, like sprains or tears, require physical therapy. A regimen of exercise stretches and modalities over several weeks or months helps to rehabilitate and heal the knee. Studies show that physical therapy is an alternative to surgery for certain knee injuries like meniscus tears. A sports medicine specialist may combine all of these non-surgical approaches for improved results.

New advancements in non-surgical treatment

Sports medicine specialists are growing advocates of new non-surgical strategies for knee pain. Regenerative medicine, for instance, uses the natural healing materials contained in the body to heal the knee. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses platelets in the blood to reduce pain and inflammation. Hyaluronic acid gel injections, sometimes called viscosupplementation, help with lubrication and pain. Stem cell therapy can also regenerate tissue and improve healing and function. Some of these techniques are still under research and development but have shown promise in healing the knee without surgery.

Surgical options for knee pain

Surgery is necessary when non-surgical strategies fail or in cases where there is severe damage to the knee. With surgery, an orthopedic surgeon or other specialist will make incisions in the knee to access, diagnose, repair, or replace knee components. The medical specialist will recommend the best surgical procedure depending on the diagnosed knee condition. Some knee pain patients can benefit from arthroscopy, where a scope is inserted through a small incision to diagnose knee pain. This surgery is also an opportunity to clean up tissue or remove damaged bone. More advanced procedures include ligament reconstruction, meniscectomy, lateral release, tendon and cartilage repair. Most procedures are performed with arthroscopy, meaning the patient can leave the hospital the same day.

Perform on the field pain-free

Chronic knee pain can limit athletic performance. The issue can be a soreness from overuse or a sprain. These can benefit from non-surgical interventions. Sometimes, more severe tears need advanced non-surgical strategies or surgical intervention. Both surgery and non-surgical treatment require time for recovery and to become pain-free. With patience and the guidance of a sports specialist, athletes can return to sports faster.

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