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Home One Woman's Triumph over Cancer Lung Cancer Can Be Caught Early Heart Attack or Indigestion? Know Your Heart Heart Disease and Women How Prenatal Screenings and Ultrasounds Can Help Find Relief for Incontinence, Pelvic Pain – Finally Knee Pain Can Be Sign of a More Serious Condition |
Don't Walk It Off Knee Pain Can Be Sign of a More Serious Condition  Dr. Omar Ilahi Orthopedic Surgeon The Methodist Hospital Annoyance vs. Injury The knees are involved in activities such as walking, running, climbing, bicycling and even swimming. As knees age, wear and tear can make them less able to tolerate the stresses of everyday activity. Aging knees can cause symptoms ranging from minor discomfort to intense, chronic pain. Knee pain can also be caused by injury. Many injure their knees while playing sports or participating in strenuous activities. The pain caused by an injury is often acute, meaning that the discomfort occurs suddenly and is usually severe. Examples of acute knee injuries are ligament tears, dislocated kneecaps and fractures. "Some knee maladies tend to occur with a higher incidence in women. For example, adolescent and young adult females are much more likely to tear the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than males when participating in sports such as basketball or soccer," says Omar Ilahi, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at The Methodist Hospital.  U.S. News & World
Report recognized The
Methodist Hospital
as one of "America's
Best Hospitals" for
orthopedics.Back into Shape Simple remedies, such as PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation), can alleviate minor knee pain and swelling. Consult a doctor if your knee pain hasn't responded to home treatment or if the discomfort gets worse. Some knee conditions require surgery. There are three main types of knee surgery. Which surgery is right for you depends on the extent and type of damage to the knee, your lifestyle and any functional limitations. Arthroscopic surgery. This procedure uses an arthroscope (a pencil-sized telescope) and tiny incisions to treat torn meniscus ("cartilage"), torn ligaments and other sports-related injuries. It is typically done on an outpatient basis and generally results in less pain and easier and faster rehabilitation. Osteotomy. Bony deformity from prior trauma or arthritis is corrected using surgery with metallic fixation devices, such as staples, plates and screws. Knee replacement surgery. A prosthesis is used to replace the knee. If arthritis has worn out the entire knee, a total knee replacement may be required to eliminate pain and restore knee function. If only one part of the knee is affected, a partial knee replacement can be considered. This involves a smaller incision than total knee replacement and is typically associated with less pain and shorter recovery. Take Steps to Prevent Knee Damage "In many cases, knee damage can be prevented by following correct exercise techniques, protecting knees when participating in sports, losing extra weight, maintaining a healthy diet and seeking help early if pain persists," says Dr. Ilahi. To make an appointment with one of our
nationally recognized orthopedic surgeons
or to order a free brochure, visit our Web
site at www.methodisthealth.com or call
888-285-1456.
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