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Knock Out Knee Pain
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Meet Dr. Sitter and his associates
from Orthopaedic Specialists of
Texas at Methodist Sugar Land
Hospital's Health Fair on Saturday,
September 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You can ask them about pain
associated with your shoulder,
back or knee. |
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Knees are an often-used part
of our bodies – important
for running, walking, sitting,
dancing and exercising. The knee joint
is the largest joint in your body, and
serves as the junction for three bones:
the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (shin) and the patella (kneecap). The
patella covers the other bones at the
front of the knee joint and slides when
the leg moves, offering protection to
the knee and leverage
to muscles.
Sometimes this joint can become
irritated and painful after all that use and
abuse. Millions of Americans battle knee
pain each year, and while some take their
symptoms seriously and seek help, others
think they can "walk it off" and ignore
the pain. But it is important to treat knee
pain as more than just an annoyance.
"Your knees play a big role in helping
you move, so it’s important to keep them
in working order," says Timothy C. Sitter,
M.D., orthopedic surgeon.
Know the Signs
While knee pain can be a symptom of
injury or aging joints, it can also be
due to inflammation in the front of
your knee. Anterior knee pain is
irritation behind or below the kneecap,
and is often felt when switching
from sitting to standing, or walking
up stairs. It can be caused by poor
kneecap tracking, where the kneecap
slides out of its usual track. It can also
be caused by overuse in activities that
strain the knees, such as jumping and
playing basketball.
If your knees are aching, talk to your
doctor. "Knee pain should not be
ignored," says Dr. Sitter. "Fortunately,
there are many simple steps you can
take to alleviate your symptoms. It's
important to pinpoint the source of
your knee pain early on, when it can be
treated more simply."
Early warning signs of anterior knee
pain include pain in the kneecap after
running or jumping, tenderness below
the kneecap, and stiffness or discomfort
in the knee after sitting for a long
time, such as while driving or watching
a movie.
 Take Steps
to Prevention
To prevent knee damage, Dr. Sitter
recommends protecting knees while
playing sports and following proper
exercise and stretching techniques. If
you experience knee pain, stop all
painful activities for two to four weeks,
and seek help from your physician. You
can usually take an over-the-counter
anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen.
Icing the knee for 10 to 20
minutes at a time can also relieve pain.
Your doctor may suggest stretching and
strengthening exercises, or using a
stationary bike to warm up your knees
before other activities. |
