Chronic Knee Pain Treatment
Most of us do not realize how much we use our knees until they start to hurt. Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. At Caliber Pain™, we offer effective, innovative chronic knee pain treatment at our facility in Midtown Manhattan.
The knee is comprised of many intricate parts, including cartilage, bone, tendons, ligaments and fluid. Chronic knee pain can result from simple wear and tear or from injuries that accelerate joint degeneration. As the cartilage wears down, the knee loses cushioning (bone on bone) and pain symptoms start.
Causes of Knee Pain
Injury or irritation of the knee can lead to relentless pain and limits activity. Chronic knee pain hinders normal walking, movement and gait. It can even contribute to pain in the hips and back from compensating behavior. Similarly, foot and hip pain can cause pain in the knees for the same reason.
Some examples of the causes of knee pain:
- Overuse
- Excess weight
- Lack of strength and flexibility
- Poor sports technique
- Torn cartilage or bone fragment blockage
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Dislocated kneecap
- Tendinitis
- Bone spurs
Relief for Acute and Chronic Knee Pain
If you need relief for acute or chronic knee pain, our pain specialists will create a treatment plan. Initially, conservative therapies will be recommended:
- Rest – immobilizing with braces or crutches
- Alternating heat and cold
- Physical therapy, exercise and guided stretching
- Adequate warm up before activity
- Massage
- Analgesics and NSAIDS
- Anti-convulsants, anti-depressants and counterirritants
If these conservative modalities do not provide adequate relief, interventional therapies may be the next option before any consideration of surgery. Joint injections of a combination of an anesthetic and steroid can offer immediate pain relief and reduction of inflammation. These can be followed by a regenerative option, such as stem cells, nerve growth factor or PRP for longer-term healing and tissue repair. The regenerative options may be an appropriate first choice if immediate pain relief is not urgent. Other treatments for chronic knee pain may include:
- Acupuncture
- Nerve blocks
- Ketamine infusion
- Synovial fluid replacement
- Glucosamine or hyaluronate injections
- Radiofrequency neurolysis
If you suffer from severe knee pain, come visit our pain specialists at Caliber Pain™. We welcome new patients at our medical facility in Midtown Manhattan.