Knee Pain Treatment
Columbia, TN
Navigate knee pain with TOA Columbia.
Your Knees Are Our Priority
Our knees silently bear the weight of our every step. As we go about our daily lives, they work away in the background to provide essential support and mobility, getting us from A to B without us so much as thinking about them! But when knee pain occurs, we definitely take more notice of them than we ever did before. At TOA Columbia, we understand the impact of knee pain on your life, and our dedicated local team is here to guide you and relieve pain wherever we can.
Common Knee Conditions
Here are some of the knee conditions our physicians treat.
Knee arthritis
Knee arthritis, a common condition, involves inflammation of the knee joint, causing pain and discomfort. Often associated with general aging or wear and tear, it can hinder everyday activities. Treatment approaches may include pain relievers, physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles, and, in severe cases, surgical options like joint replacement.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, affects the knee's cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through exercises, weight management, and medications. Surgical interventions such as joint arthroplasty might be considered for long-term relief in advanced cases.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis impacts the knee joints due to an autoimmune response, causing inflammation and damage. While medications help manage symptoms, physical therapy aids in maintaining joint function. In some cases, doctors may recommend surgical interventions for lasting relief.
Cartilage tears (meniscus)
Meniscus tears, often resulting from sudden twists or impacts, can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Treatment may involve rest, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgical repair or removal of the damaged cartilage.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries
ACL injuries, common in sports, involve damage to the ligament supporting the knee. Treatment options vary, ranging from rest, physical therapy, and bracing to surgical reconstruction for restoring stability and function.
Exercising
While exercising is paramount for overall health, improper techniques or overexertion may lead to knee injuries. Common issues include patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendonitis, and ligament strains. If you have knee discomfort, seeking professional advice promptly can help prevent exacerbation and ensure a safe and effective fitness journey.
Understanding Knee Replacements
Many of our patients experience knee pain that limits the activities they love. And when the pain can no longer be ignored, we start the discussion of whether knee replacement surgery is the right decision. Our physicians offer specialized surgical plans that are tailored to each patient’s needs and medical history.
Whether you are affected by trauma to the knee, osteoarthritis, or another degenerative condition, our physicians have over 40 years of experience in joint replacement surgery. Each year, we successfully perform hundreds of knee replacements on patients whose lifestyles are significantly affected by joint pain.
Is Knee Surgery Right for You?
There are a variety of joint problems that can ultimately lead to knee surgery. A key reason is arthritis, which can present with pain, stiffness, and joint inflammation. For those over 60, osteoarthritis is typically the most common form. The progressive wear and tear on joints and cartilage leads to limited range of motion, significant pain deep within the joint, or occasionally, the feeling of your bones catching or grating against each other.
A knee replacement typically relieves the pain and discomfort associated with this degenerative condition. Knee replacements can also be used to treat knee pain related to previous trauma or injury to the knee. Your physician at TOA Columbia will help you decide which course of treatment or surgery is right for you.
Exercising With Knee Pain
It seems contradictory to have a painful, arthritic knee, only to be told by your doctor that exercise will help to strengthen the joint and make it hurt less. However, there are many ways to exercise the muscles in the knee that will still get the desired result without inflicting unbearable agony. The first step is to start slowly on anything new. Stretching is also an important component of any exercise plan, no matter your background. If you experience acute, sudden pain while exercising, stop!
Change the type of exercise you’re doing or back off on your intensity to prevent doing any further damage to your joints. It’s typically expected that you’ll have some soreness after a workout, but that should gradually diminish as you continue to exercise and strengthen those areas. Additionally, exercise doesn’t have to wear you out in order for it to be beneficial. The best types of exercise in this case will be low impact – water aerobics, stationary bikes, and elliptical machines are good options that won’t put additional undue stress on an already painful joint. Walking is another choice that will be easy on your knees while still providing health benefits.
Knees and Sports Medicine
Dr. Jonathan Pettit, Dr. Zachary Pharr and Dr. Cason Shirley specialize in knee injuries as they relate to sports medicine. The most common knee injuries for athletes involve the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), or a torn meniscus. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, treatment ranges from physical therapy to arthroscopy or possibly surgery.
Young athletes are at a greater disadvantage to suffering these injuries because the knees experience abrupt stops, pivots, and hard landings from jumping. Overall, female athletes are found to experience more ACL injuries than male athletes. There are many theories as to why this is the case, suggesting it may have to do with a difference in anatomy, hormones, and even evidence that males and females simply run and jump differently, leading to a prevalence of these injuries.
How TOA Columbia Can Help You
Knee pain can stem from many causes, from knee injuries and torn ligaments to conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. If you’re experiencing sore knees, bearing weight becomes a challenge, and simple movements become a struggle.
Our caring team is committed to delving into the intricacies of your knee pain symptoms, determining the root cause, and crafting a personalized plan for relief. Whether you have an acute knee injury, severe pain in your knee joints, or painful knees at night, our first step is to determine the cause and ease knee pain. From there, we help you to prevent knee pain in the future by working with you in the most appropriate way for your knee problems.
Empowering Every Step
You don’t need to be an athlete to experience knee pain or acquire a knee injury! You may have flat feet, knee braces, or have trouble straightening your knee when you try to fall asleep. Anything that can cause knee pain or affect your knee joint in any way isn’t your problem to face alone.
Whether it’s physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the knee joint or orthopedic surgery for more severe cases, our team at TOA Columbia offers a range of solutions under one roof. From torn cartilage and meniscus tears to connective tissue concerns, TOA Columbia is your trusted partner for comprehensive knee pain management. Ensure you see a local team who cares about the community as much as you do, and make your appointment with us today.
Have Acute Knee Pain? Visit Our Walk-In Clinic
Knee pain is a common condition we see at our walk-in clinic, and we address it all with precision and care. From mild discomfort, sports injuries, and minor injuries to anterior cruciate ligament injuries that cause knee pain and limit daily functioning, our walk-in clinic is designed for acute injuries and pain. If a knee injury has interrupted your life in the past two weeks, come on in and see us — no appointment is necessary.
