Knee pain what type of doctor

A thorough examination is necessary for an accurate determination. The examination should include an assessment of whether the pain actually stems from the knee. Sometimes knee pain can be referred pain from another source, such as a hip injury. The nature of your injury will guide the treatment.

So will your preferences. It is best to consider the full menu of options available. These include:. Physician anesthesiologists are committed to patient safety and high-quality care, and have the necessary knowledge to understand and treat the entire human body.

Skip to content. Knee Pain Knee problems are very common. What causes knee pain? These are some of the more common causes of knee pain: Osteoarthritis.

The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away. Rheumatoid arthritis. The knee may become swollen and cartilage may be destroyed. Ligament injuries. Anterior cruciate ligament ACL injuries usually result from a sudden twisting motion.

Injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament PCL are usually caused by a direct impact, like impact from a car accident or sports activities. Tendon injuries. These can range from inflammation to a tear, most likely from overuse in sports or from a fall. Cartilage injuries and disorders. Injury, overuse, muscle weakness, or misalignment of the knee can soften the cartilage of the kneecap, or a blow to the knee may tear off a piece of cartilage.

Broken kneecap. The small, round bone patella that sits over the front of your knee joint breaks, usually as the result of a fall or a direct blow to the knee. Why should I see a pain management specialist?

When should I see a pain management specialist? How is the cause of knee pain diagnosed? When making a diagnosis, your doctor will consider information that includes the following: Patient characteristics.

Some conditions are more likely to occur in individuals with certain characteristics. For example, osteoarthritis is more frequent in older adults, and conditions associated with overuse are more frequent in people who participate in athletic activities. Obesity can also be a factor in some conditions.

Before making a decision, consider the pros and cons of both nonsurgical rehabilitation and surgical reconstruction in relation to what's most important to you. If you choose to have surgery, your options may include:. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Over-the-counter medications — such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others and naproxen sodium Aleve — may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.

Research suggests that acupuncture may help relieve knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Acupuncture involves the placement of hair-thin needles into your skin at specific places on your body. You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor. Depending on the cause of your problem, he or she may refer you to a doctor specializing in joint diseases rheumatologist , joint surgery orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine.

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Diagnosis During the physical exam, your doctor is likely to: Inspect your knee for swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth and visible bruising Check to see how far you can move your lower leg in different directions Push on or pull the joint to evaluate the integrity of the structures in your knee.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Knee problems. Accessed Jan. Farha N, et al. Outpatient evaluation of knee pain. The Medical Clinics of North America. Beutler A, et al. Approach to the adult with knee pain likely of musculoskeletal origin.

Many health insurance plans require that a PCP first refer the patient to a consulting specialist before a visit to this specialist is covered by your medical plan.

If you suffer pain and disability due to arthritis , body trauma , injury, or an accident especially to bones , an orthopedist can help.

The staff at Orthopaedic Associates utilizes both cutting-edge therapies and traditional treatments to address a variety of orthopedic conditions. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form.

We look forward to hearing from you. Log in to access your medical records and test results, request appointments, or send a private message to your doctor. If you need access, let us know! We treat all kinds of orthopedic conditions. Find your condition or treatment in our patient education library to learn more! Orthopedic Specialists provide expert treatment for acute or chronic pain of the back, neck, spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, foot and ankle.

We offer solutions for arthritis , carpal tunnel , degenerative joint disease , scoliosis , fracture or sprain due to sports related injury , osteoarthritis , nerve pain, tendonitis , rotator cuff tear , whiplash and other bone and joint conditions.