What are the causes of knee pain and how can it be treated?
October 25, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Fanni Helbig
Dear Doctor,
My name is Robert Zornitz and I am reaching out to you because I have been experiencing knee pain for some time now. The pain occurs mainly when going up stairs, when walking, and even at rest. I am 45 years old and have been very active in sports in the past, especially football. I have had several knee injuries in the past, including a meniscus tear and a torn ACL, which were treated surgically.
Recently, I have been experiencing increased problems with my right knee, it feels unstable and hurts when under strain. I am worried that it may be a new injury or that arthritis has developed. I have tried various measures to alleviate the pain, such as rest, icing, and pain medication, but none of them seem to provide long-term relief.
Therefore, my question to you is: What are the possible causes of my knee pain, particularly considering my history of injuries and sports activities? Besides a new injury or arthritis, are there other possible causes that should be considered? And how can the knee pain be effectively treated to achieve long-term relief?
I am looking forward to your expert assessment and possible treatment recommendations. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Robert Zornitz
Dear Mr. Zornitz,
Thank you for your detailed description of your knee pain and your history of injuries and sports activities. It is understandable that you are concerned and looking for possible causes and treatment options.
Due to your history of meniscus and ACL tears as well as your athletic activity, injuries are certainly a possible cause of your current knee pain. It is possible that another injury to the meniscus or ACL has occurred, especially if the knee is unstable. Another possibility is that arthritis has developed, especially due to previous injuries and the stress from sports.
However, there are also other possible causes of knee pain that should be considered. These include inflammation in the knee joint, bursitis, cartilage damage, or issues with the kneecap, such as patellar tendinitis. It would be important to make an accurate diagnosis to identify the cause of your knee pain and plan appropriate treatment.
To effectively treat the knee pain and achieve long-term relief, it is important that you consult a specialist in orthopedics. They can conduct a thorough examination, possibly order further imaging tests such as an MRI, and make an accurate diagnosis. Based on the diagnosis, an individualized treatment strategy can then be developed.
Treatment for knee pain can vary depending on the cause. Possible treatment options include conservative measures such as physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, injections into the knee joint, or special braces or orthoses. In some cases, surgical treatment may be necessary, for example in meniscus tears, ACL tears, or advanced arthritis.
It is important that you take your knee pain seriously and do not give up if previous measures have not been successful. A specialist can help you and work with you to develop an appropriate treatment strategy.
Therefore, I strongly recommend that you make an appointment with a specialist in orthopedics to have your knee pain evaluated and receive targeted treatment. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the better the knee pain can be treated and long-term relief can be achieved.
I wish you all the best and hope that you will soon find a suitable treatment for your knee pain.
Sincerely,
Fanni Helbig
