As you age, your knees become more vulnerable to stress and injury. Find lasting relief with experienced, nationally recognized knee pain doctors in New York. At Pain Management NYC, we offer state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, rapid lab testing, and a dedicated team of rehabilitation physicians and specialists committed to treating your knee pain.
Your knee provides movement and mobility while bearing the weight of your body. Because of all it does and all you put it through, it’s also susceptible to injury. Discomfort can show up in many different forms — from pain behind your knee to inner knee pain and posterior knee pain. The joint is made up of the:
- Patella is more commonly known as the kneecap. It’s a small bone that’s triangular in shape. It’s located at the front of your knee. The bone is lined with a thick layer of cartilage that takes the brunt of the force your knee endures every day.
- The meniscus, are the fluid-filled discs that serve as shock absorbers. The meniscus prevents your bones from rubbing together. It contains nerves that help you maintain stability and balance. It also distributes the proper amount of weight between your tibia or shin bone and your femur or thigh bone. On each leg, you have one meniscus on the outer side of the knee and another on the inside.
- Articular cartilage. This is a layer of cartilage that also acts as a cushion between your femur and tibia. It’s also on the backside of your patella.
- Ligaments that keep your knees from moving too much in either direction. These rope-like tissues hold the bones together and keep you stable. These fibrous tissues also hold your knee together, but instead of holding the bones together, they connect your muscles to your bones. The biggest tendon, the patella tendon connects your kneecap to your thigh and quadriceps.
- The joint capsule is a small bag surrounding your knee joint that’s filled with synovial fluid. This is where the lubrication comes from to keep your knees nourished.
- About 14 bursa sacs surround each knee. Each is filled with fluid to reduce friction and prevent swelling and inflammation.
When you hurt your knee, the pain originates behind your knee, where you can experience back or posterior knee pain. Other injuries include accidental fractures, inner knee pain, overuse strains, and incorrect movement sprains. In all these injuries, your discomfort stems from one of the joint structures above.
Potential Dangers of Knee Pain
With so many moving parts, it’s no wonder that knee pain is one of the most common complaints in the U.S. Your board-certified knee doctors at Pain Management NYC consider all the possible complications that could arise in these heavily used joints, including:
Injuries can happen to anyone. The most common back or knee pain problems and accidents occur in teens who have suffered sports injuries. There are more than 2.5 million knee injuries reported every year. Seniors with low bone density, decreased balance and flexibility are at a higher risk of developing posterior knee pain. And a direct blow or fall makes up a good portion of cases involving aches in the knee.
What Causes Pain Behind the Knee?
There are numerous possible causes of pain in the back of the knee. Most of them are fairly common and not as serious. Some are more serious and need immediate medical attention. Posterior knee pain is one of the most common patient complaints.
The most common causes of pain in the back of the knee include:
- Baker’s cyst – A fluid-filled cyst that provokes discomfort and swelling. Also known as a popliteal cyst, it’s the number one cause of pain in the back of the knee. There are fluid-filled sacs (bursa) throughout the body that cushion and lubricate body parts during movement. Baker’s cyst occurs when the bursae become inflamed.
- Arthritis – When the cartilage of the joints wears down over time (osteoarthritis), it can cause discomfort. This can also result in loss of motion and inner knee pain when bending.
- Meniscus Tear – The menisci are pieces of cartilage that cushion the joint. Certain leg movements can tear this cartilage and cause discomfort in the back of the knee.
- Other causes – Pain behind the knee may also be caused by an injury. Your knee specialist can determine whether it’s a ligament tear or a sprain.
Knee Pain Diagnosis
One of the first steps in diagnosing the causes of your discomfort is a physical exam. During this evaluation, your knee pain doctor will likely:- Perform a physical examination to check for visible bruising, swelling, warmth, and tenderness,
- Check your range of movement by seeing how far your lower leg can move in various directions
- Assess the integrity of your knee structure by either pushing on or pulling the joint
Your doctor can diagnose the cause of your pain based on this exam and appoint the appropriate treatment plan. Additional imaging tests may be required for a more accurate diagnosis such as:
- X-Ray – Is used to detect suspected degenerative joint disease and bone fractures.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan – In combination with X-rays, CT scanners generate cross-sectional images that of the inside of your body and can diagnose subtle fractures and other bone problems.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Creates 3D images by using a powerful magnet and radio waves. It can detect injuries to soft tissues like muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
- Ultrasound – Generates real-time images of the soft tissue structures inside using sound waves. During this test, your knee specialist may need to move your knee into different positions to establish a more accurate diagnosis.
Around 25% of adults are affected by knee pain and over the last 20 years. Its prevalence has increased by 65%. This results in nearly 4 million people visiting a doctor each year.
Knee Pain Treatment Options
Interventional treatment for knee pain, as practiced by the pain management doctors in Midtown, achieves the primary goal of reducing your discomfort so that you respond to therapy and heal. Only then can you resume your normal activities. The regenerative treatment plans at your pain management clinic begin with a thorough exam that explores your medical history, level of activity, when the discomfort first began, and what level of discomfort you’re currently experiencing.
After your diagnostic tests are completed, your knee pain specialist Dr. Reyfman determines the source of your discomfort. He can then provide relief with the latest knee treatments, such as
- Corticosteroid injections are used to stop the pain and reduce inflammation from knee arthritis.
- Nerve block injections to reduce pain so that you can continue with other therapeutic treatments.
Your treatment begins with a consultation with one of the best pain specialists in NYC. Contact Pain Management to schedule your appointment. Get out of pain and begin your healing today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Different Types of Knee Pain?
There are four main types of knee pain. These are:
- Anterior: pain that occurs at the front and center of the knee
- Posterior: pain that takes place in the back of your knee
- Medial: pain that arises inside of your knee
- Lateral: pain occurs outside the knee
Depending on the type of pain, your doctor will select an appropriate treatment plan.
Are There Any Home Remedies for Knee Pain?
If you injure, strain, or sprain your leg you may try the RICE technique. It stands for rest, ice, compression, and evaluation. This therapy will help you get knee pain relief at home. You need to apply a cold compress to the injured area. Then, wrap your knee with a bandage to prevent swelling. Avoid tightening the bandage too much since this may interfere with circulation. Keep your leg elevated while resting to decrease pain and swelling.
What Are the Symptoms of Knee Pain?
Knee pain is a common condition that affects many people of all ages. If you injured your knee you may also experience swelling, stiffness, and weakness along with pain. The skin around your knee may be red and warm to the touch. You may also hear popping and crunching noises while moving.
Do you have any questions about the knee pain treatment options we offer in NYC? Do you have pain in your knee and would like to schedule an appointment with the internationally recognized best-in-class knee pain specialist Dr. Reyman of Pain Management NYC? Please contact our office for a consultation with our knee doctors in Midtown Manhattan, Bronx, or Astoria, Queens. If you have an emergency and are in need of fast relief, we encourage you to call Dr. Reyfman in Manhattan directly.
Boleslav Kosharskyy, MD, is a top-rated, best-in-class interventional pain management doctor. He is board-certified in Anesthesiology, Interventional Pain Medicine, and Palliative Care.
Dr. Kosharskyy is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Rehabilitation Medicine at Albert Einstein Medical College. He’s also the Associate Medical Director of Pain Medicine and Director of Anesthesia for the Joint Replacement Center at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein Medical College.
He is an active member of the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA), and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA)
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