As one of the strongest and most complex joints in your body, your knees can handle a considerable amount of stress, strain, and everyday wear and tear. Not only do they bear your full body weight every time you take a step, but they also support a much greater load every time you run or jump. Dr. Jason Leavitt and the medical team at Ultimate Health Medical Clinic in Littleton, Colorado, strives to get to the root of their patients’ knee pain, and help them resolve it. Call the office or request an appointment online to learn more.
What causes knee pain?
As high-use, load-bearing joints, your knees are more susceptible to injury. The stabilizing ligaments inside your knee are especially prone to developing problems, as anyone who has ever twisted, turned, or pivoted and found themselves with a torn or sprained ACL, MCL, or meniscus can attest. Although these stress-related injuries may be a more common source of knee pain for younger people, older people are typically more affected by injuries brought on by degenerative wear and tear. As you age, you’re more likely to experience knee pain caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. A few other common causes of knee pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Sprain or strain injury
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Septic arthritis (knee infection)
- Gout (a type of arthritis)
- Patellofemoral syndrome (front knee pain)
- IT band syndrome
What can make knee pain worse?
If you don’t exercise regularly, there’s a chance that the muscles around your knees are less able to support the joints. Muscles that lack flexibility are too tight to help your knees effectively absorb stress, while muscles that lack strength are too weak to reinforce and stabilize the mechanics of the joint. Either of these problems can contribute to knee pain. Having a hip or foot problem also exacerbates knee pain, because such issues may cause you to alter your gait and put more stress on your knees. Being overweight has a major effect on load-bearing joints, because it perpetually increases the amount of stress they’re under. This makes normal activities like walking or climbing stairs considerably harder on your knees.
What does treatment entail?
After a comprehensive exam and diagnosis, the team at Ultimate Health Medical Clinic comes up with a treatment plan designed to address the underlying cause of your knee pain. Chiropractic care, massage therapy, and rehabilitative exercises are often helpful in decreasing inflammation, preventing instability around the joint, and restoring strength and range of motion. If you have osteoarthritis in your knees, you may be an ideal candidate for SUPARTZ® injection therapy. This quick, easy treatment involves an injection of hyaluronic acid, a natural joint replacement fluid that acts as a lubricant and shock absorber, to help the joint function properly. SUPARTZ therapy provides immediate pain relief and improves knee stability, flexibility, and range of motion so you can get back to your normal daily routine. It can also help keep you pain-free for up to 6 months, so you don’t have to resort to surgery or prescription medications.
