Knees are some of the most complex joints on the human body and often a common cause of chronic pain. While being active and exercising regularly is one of the best ways to keep your knees strong and healthy, injuries and diseases can still occur, causing varied amounts of pain and discomfort. Here are some common knee conditions which occur among millions of men and women:
- Bursitis – Repeated bending, kneeling, or jumping can irritate the small amount of fluid under the skin above your joint, also known as the bursa sac. This can lead to a condition known as bursitis. The symptoms of bursitis can vary, but the main ones are simply pain and inflammation in the knee.
- IT Band Syndrome – The IT (or iliotibial) band is a piece of strong tissue which runs down the length of the thigh and over the knee. IT Band Syndrome is a common injury for runners and athletes who train too hard or have poor flexibility, and the main symptoms involve pain and inflammation.
- Osteoarthritis – A common type of arthritis in middle aged men and women is osteoarthritis, which slowly wears away the cartilage in your joints. The symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee are pain when standing up, swelling and inflammation, and stiffness in the joint area.
- Tendinitis – Patellar tendinitis is when the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone gets injured due to strain or overexertion. This type of injury often happens to athletes and runners, and the main symptom includes pain which interfere with daily movements, such as walking and climbing stairs.
- ACL Tear – Twisting or hyperextending the leg, usually during contact sports, can result in a common knee injury known as an ACL tear. The ACL is comprised of four ligaments which stabilize the knee. ACL tear results in acute pain in the knee, inflammation, and an inability to straighten or bend your leg.
- Torn Meniscus – The meniscus is a cartilage disc which cushions the area where your shinbone meets your thighbone. A torn meniscus commonly occurs when an activity causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee. The symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the knee area.
No matter what type of knee injury you have, the specialists at the Milwaukee Pain Clinic can help you heal by promoting the growth and formation of new connective tissues through prolotherapy. Prolotherapy is a specialized treatment proven to be highly effective for combating tendon, ligament, and joint pain. The Milwaukee Pain Clinic specializes in this non-surgical treatment option which is particularity effective for knee pain.
Set up a personal consultation with Dr. Pollack at our Milwaukee office to get started on your journey to a pain-free life.