If mild knee pain has a discernible cause, which may be a sudden increase in the intensity of an activity, an underlying condition, or an injury, it usually responds well to rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. With at-home treatments, you should see an improvement in a few days. However, if the symptoms persist or if new symptoms crop up, it may be time to see a knee pain doctor.
Worsening Knee Pain and Increased Swelling
Pain that is increasing in severity indicates a more serious injury than initially thought of. If your knee is still swollen after a few days, you may have torn a muscle, cartilage, or meniscus, which won’t heal without a doctor’s help. See a doctor immediately.
Warmth And Fever
Other symptoms such as the knee area feeling warm to the touch as well as developing a fever and feeling chilly indicate an infection. An infection is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Remember, an infected knee can lead to permanent disability. In some cases, an open wound is not necessary for an infection to develop in a joint.
Unable To Bear Weight
If your knee is unable to bear weight and feels like it might give out, it may be a sign of a ligament injury, which will not heal without a doctor’s intervention. If your knee is unable to bear weight, it could cause you to walk with a limp and experience discomfort with every step. As such, see a doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment.
You Are Unable To Sleep
Sleep is important to healing and recovery. If you cannot sleep due to knee pain, a doctor can diagnose the cause and provide options for pain management. Injection therapy and physical therapy are usually recommended to patients with knee pain caused by injuries.
The Knee Looks Deformed
If the knee appears deformed, it indicates a bone fracture or a dislocation, which need professional medical treatment immediately. This type of injury is often caused in sudden accidents.
Orthopedic doctors rely on patients to provide them with useful information about their knee injury. Be ready to provide details such as when the knee pain started, when it is at its worst, possible causes of it, and the at-home treatments you’ve been using to relieve the symptoms. All these can help your doctor in diagnosing and creating a customized treatment plan for your condition.
Knee Pain Doctor in Watertown, NY
The best knee doctor can relieve the pain from a variety of knee injuries and conditions. At North Country Orthopaedic Group, we have orthopedic surgeons and rehabilitation specialists working together to provide the best experience for our patients. Should you need surgery, our highly-regarded ambulatory surgery center is on-site and happy to serve you.
For a detailed evaluation of your knee pain, call (315) 782-1650 to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon or use our convenient online request form. Our friendly staff looks forward to serving you in our Watertown office.
