Knee pain is experienced in both professional athletes and those with a sedentary lifestyle, notes Edward Yang, MD, board certified orthopedic surgeon and Chief, Department of Orthopaedics at Mount Sinai Queens.
Edward Yang, MD, Chief of Orthopaedics, Mount Sinai Queens
The common medical complaint affects a large spectrum, with most people experiencing knee discomfort at some point in their lives. Knee pain may be caused by injuries like tears, sprains, and strains, or by medical conditions like arthritis, gout, and infection. Whatever the cause, knee pain can run the gamut from slightly annoying to debilitating.
Knee pain may be accompanied by symptoms like swelling or redness; you may hear crunching or popping; or the knee may simply feel weak or unstable. Professionals charged with taking care of the body’s structure recommend the acronym RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If employing this method for a few days offers no relief, a trip to the orthopedic surgeon is probably warranted. Other signs that specialty care is needed are:
• significant swelling
• an obvious deformation
• fever in addition to other signs of infection
• an inability to bear weight, fully straighten, or bend your knee
• feeling as if your knee will give out
When you visit your surgeon, he or she will gather your medical history, overall and related to your knee, and perform a physical examination. The surgeon may also order an X-ray or MRI. “I tend to order an MRI if I think the knee may need surgical treatment,” says Dr. Yang. Based on the results of the examination and tests, an arthroscopy may be in order.
Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique, can generally be done on an outpatient basis with incisions as small as a quarter-inch. During arthroscopy of the knee, a very narrow tube with a camera on the end is threaded through one of the incisions into the joint. The camera projects onto a monitor, allowing the surgeon to take a close look at the joint and the overall structure of your knee. At times, this technique can be used to repair damage to the knee. If so, the surgeon will thread pencil-thin surgical instruments through the other incisions to make the repairs.
In most cases, recovery is fairly rapid. Patients will return home the same day and depending on the extent of the surgery, a cane or crutches. Following surgery, it is important to exercise your knee. An exercise regime should be developed by a surgeon or a physical therapist to assist in recovery.
Future posts will detail Dr. Yang’s perspective on orthopedic surgery, how to best prepare for orthopedic surgery, and the surgical services offered at Mount Sinai Queens. Please remember that this information is not a substitute for direct medical advice.