5 Reasons to See a Knee Doctor

Your knee is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body. It is supported by an intricate network of ligaments and tendons as well as shock-absorbing cartilage. If any one of these structures isn’t functioning as it is supposed to, you could be in for a world of pain. Accurately identifying the underlying problem and prompt treatment will maximize the chances of a positive outcome.

Here are 5 reasons to see a knee doctor:

1. Knee pain starts interfering with routine activities of daily living: If simple tasks such as climbing stairs, getting in and out of a car, or walking your dog cause a lot of knee pain, then you should strongly consider seeing a knee specialist.
2. Loss of knee range of motion: Increasing stiffness and knee pain may be a sign of arthritis and or other degenerative joint conditions. While there is no cure for arthritis, a knee specialist will be able to offer appropriate solutions to slow down or halt progression of the disease within the joint.
3. Feeling that your knee is unstable: A wobbling sensation in the knee like it’s about to give out, which is usually seen with side to side movements or twisting of the knee, is usually a sign of a ligament injury. Minor injuries may heal with non-surgical treatment. An experienced knee specialist may be able to repair larger tears using knee arthroscopy (keyhole surgery).
4. Sharp knee pain in the back or sides when rising from a squatting position: This can be an indication of a torn meniscus which primarily functions as a shock absorber. Your knee specialist may be able to repair or trim the meniscus arthroscopically.
5. Knee swelling that does not resolve within 48 hours: Some amount of swelling is inevitable after an acute knee injury, but this should subside in 2 days with rest and application of ice. If there aren’t any noticeable improvements by this time and you are experiencing other symptoms such as fever, you should fix an appointment with your knee specialist as soon as possible.

Dr. Ronak M. Patel is a fellowship-trained Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon with an interest in minimally invasive procedures and joint preservation of the knee and shoulder. He treats all sports injuries with a particular interest in anatomic ACL reconstruction, cartilage restoration, and patellar stabilization of the knee. Dr. Patel has published over 40 publications and book chapters and has presented his research over 70 times nationally and internationally. He is actively involved in research and academic meetings to provide the most current care to his patients. Dr. Patel is among a small number of physicians in Chicago performing advanced cartilage restoration and meniscal transplantation procedures, and he is extensively trained in arthroscopic management of shoulder problems including impingement, rotator cuff tears, labral tears and biceps tendonitis. Book your appointment with Dr. Patel today: (630) 929-2249.