Your knee is the largest joint in your body. When it hurts, it can slow you down or even completely debilitate you. In addition to acute or chronic pain, some of the main symptoms of knee problems include:
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Difficulty straightening your knee
- Popping when you extend your knee
- Crunching when you bend down
- Poor range of motion
Aat Next Step Orthopedics, our experienced orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Dominique Nickson, specializes in chronic and acute orthopedic pain conditions in Mckinney, Texas. Here he details some common knee conditions, custom treatments for each unique need, and how to prevent knee pain in the future.
Common knee conditions
Though wear and tear from aging is a leading cause of knee problems, there are several specific conditions that are also closely linked to knee pain:
- Cartilage tears
- Patellar tendinitis
- Strained ligaments
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Meniscus tears
To diagnose your specific issue, Dr. Nickson conducts a thorough physical exam, takes X-rays and possibly an MRI or CT scan, and evaluates your complete health history.
Ways to prevent injury
Dr. Nickson is passionate about education and loves to share with clients how to protect your knees and other joints from injury. Some of the best ways to safeguard your knees and keep them healthy are lifestyle factors such as:
- Losing excess weight
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet
- Practicing good posture
- Warming up properly before embarking on exercise or sports
Five more tried-and-true ways to prevent knee injuries are:
- Committing to regular strength and flexibility training
- Using proper form when exercising or playing your sport
- Wearing appropriate footwear
- Avoiding knee-dominant activities like jumping, squats, and lunges
- Transitioning smoothly between intensity levels in your exercises
While prevention is the best strategy, injuries happen, and conditions can develop abruptly or slowly over months and years. We offer a variety of treatment options to meet your specific needs and goals.
Treating your knee pain
Depending on what’s causing your knee pain, Dr. Nickson tailors a plan that helps you regain function as quickly as possible. Some solutions he may recommend are resting icing, compressing, and elevating your knee, physical therapy, acupuncture, medical massage, select medications, steroid injections, hot and cold therapy, or a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
If you’re suffering from knee pain, turn to our trusted team for compassionate and comprehensive care. call us at (972) 547-0047 or book an appointment online. We look forward to serving you soon.