Knee pain is a pervasive problem that affects about 25% of adolescents and adults. When you need help with knee pain, the specialists at Interventional Spine and Pain Center provide an in-depth assessment to develop an accurate diagnosis, then they use your diagnosis to create an advanced treatment plan that relieves your pain and gets you back on the road to a healthy, active life. To schedule an appointment, call one of the offices in Manchester and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, or use the online booking feature.

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What commonly causes knee pain?

Fractures, dislocations, ligament injuries, and meniscal or tendon tears are some of the most common problems responsible for knee pain. Overuse injuries such as patellofemoral pain syndrome frequently occur when repetitive movements cause microtrauma to tissues in the joint.

As you get older, chronic knee pain is most often caused by osteoarthritis and inflammatory conditions such as bursitis and tendinitis. Your risk of developing chronic knee pain is higher if you suffered an earlier knee injury or you’re overweight.

What other symptoms accompany knee pain?

The conditions responsible for knee pain often cause additional symptoms such as:

  • Inflammation and swelling
  • Stiffness and limited mobility
  • Bruising and discoloration
  • Inability to bear weight
  • Knee instability
  • Inability to bend or straighten the knee

Swelling, bruising, and being unable to place weight on the affected knee are signs that you need medical care.

How is knee pain diagnosed?

At the start of your exam, your doctor at Interventional Spine and Pain Center reviews your medical history and symptoms. You’re asked to answer a variety of questions about your pain, such as when it started, if it developed gradually or suddenly, what activities trigger the pain, the type and severity of your pain, and whether it feels better at rest.

Then your doctor performs a comprehensive knee evaluation. This includes testing your range of motion, manually assessing the integrity of the structures in the knee joint, reviewing knee alignment, and checking areas of soreness.

Depending on the results of your physical exam, your Interventional Spine and Pain Center provider may run additional tests to rule out possible causes of your knee pain. If your doctor suspects inflammation or an infection, you may need blood work or arthrocentesis. Arthrocentesis is a procedure in which a small amount of fluid is removed from your joint and sent to a lab for analysis.

In many cases, patients need imaging tests to detect bone fractures, degenerative joint disease, and damage to the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and muscles. Diagnostic imaging tests include X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRI scans.

Once your knee pain is accurately diagnosed, the specialists at Interventional Spine and Pain Center develop a customized treatment plan to effectively relieve your pain. To schedule an assessment of your knee pain, call the office or schedule an appointment online.