Knee pain can make walking, running, bending, and other activities difficult. An orthopedic knee specialist should be consulted when the pain becomes severe and persistent.
Although you should see your primary care physician first, they are unlikely to specialize in musculoskeletal disorders of the knee. An orthopedics doctor, on the other hand, has specialization in this. Unlike a primary care physician responsible for your overall physical well-being and disease prevention, an orthopedic specialist only treats injuries or degenerative conditions of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. A Knee orthopedic specialist is the best orthopedics doctor to evaluate and treat your knee pain.
As knee pain can affect people of all ages, continue reading to find out when you should see a knee specialist.
Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common orthopedic condition. It has been observed that it affects people of various ages. These age groups can be divided into three broad categories. Children aged 0 to 18, adults aged 19 to 50, and senior citizens aged 50 and up are the three broad categories of parents.
Small children who present with knee pain and swelling are not the same as college students.
Parents typically panic when a 10-year-old child complains of knee pain and swelling with no history of falls or accidents. When a child’s knee becomes swollen or has difficulty walking, parents begin to wonder if it is arthritis (Juvenile Arthritis). However, 90% of the time, these issues are minor.
These get referred to as ‘growth pains.’ When a child is between 10 to 12 years of age, they go through a process known as a “growth spurt.” During this stage, the length of the bone increases, causing the tissue around the bones to stretch and causing bouts of knee pain and swelling.
The growing end of the leg in the lower limbs is around the knee. As a result, the length of the leg increases around the knee, causing knee pain in these children.
When to See an Orthopedics Doctor?
A minor mishap or injury can cause knee pain. In most cases, rest and at-home remedies such as ice packs and elevation relieve the pain within a day or two. However, if pain persists, see an orthopedic knee specialist, especially when experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- More than two days of chronic knee pain
- A crunching or popping sound in the knee
- Redness or swelling around the knee
- Knee weakness or instability, such as the knee “giving out” when walking
- Severe stiffness limiting the range of motion; inability to perform daily tasks due to knee pain or stiffness
If you decide to see an orthopedics doctor, look for one who specializes in knee surgery. Many orthopedic doctors specialize in one musculoskeletal system, such as the knee or spine.
The Advantages of Seeing a Knee Specialist
A knee specialist can benefit a patient in the following ways:
- Severe pain is one of the most common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Knee surgery can provide relief from excruciating knee pain.
- Knee pain prevents you from performing basic physical activities such as short-distance walking, climbing stairs, and even sitting or rising from a chair.
- Knee surgery benefits you by reducing joint pain and stiffness, allowing you to go about your daily activities without pain.
- Knee surgery decreases the need for long-term medication, particularly opioid analgesics, and steroids. Long-term use of such medicines can lead to a variety of complications.
There is no set age at which one should have knee replacement surgery. After reviewing your symptoms and joint condition, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend knee replacement surgery. A timely knee replacement may protect you from future complications.
Conclusion
Knee pain can become more complicated as you get older, especially in your 40s or 50s.
The surgery may become more difficult if the joint becomes crooked due to cartilage and bone breakdown. (These deformities can cause you to walk bow-legged or knock-kneed.) Some research also suggests that people who wait until they have a significant disability to get surgery may benefit less in the long run. Another study, however, finds no difference in outcomes for people who wait longer.
The decision about when to see an orthopedics doctor, especially for knee replacement surgery, etc., is highly personal, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making between you and your doctor.
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Age does not impede surgery because both older and younger people benefit equally, as long as they are generally in good health when they begin.
During complications, people under 60, on the other hand, are encouraged to postpone total knee replacement if possible. It is due to the short lifespan of artificial joints. Assuming normal physical activity, today’s joint implants should last 15 to 20 years—sometimes longer. If you are overweight or, in cases, more physically active than average, your new joint will be subjected to additional stress and may wear out sooner.
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