Knee Pain

Knee pain can come on suddenly if you suffer an injury, or it can slowly develop if you have arthritis. Whatever the cause of your knee pain, call Jon Thompson, MD, at his office in McKinney or Prosper, Texas. A double board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Thompson specializes in diagnosing and treating knee pain. This includes offering surgery for ACL reconstruction and cartilage preservation. Call Jon Thompson, MD, today or book an appointment online to find the root cause of your knee pain and an effective solution.

What causes knee pain?

Knee pain results from damage to the joint’s bones, connective tissues, cartilage, and nerves. Acute (sudden) knee pain happens if you overstretch the joint, fall on it, twist it, or land badly when jumping. Trauma from an auto accident or workplace injury can also cause acute knee pain.

Another common cause of knee pain is overuse. Repeated movements over months or years lead to tissue damage and inflammation that causes ongoing or recurring knee pain. Common examples of acute and overuse knee pain causes include:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears
• Meniscus tears
• Patellar tendinitis (runner’s knee)
• Articular cartilage injuries
• Patellar dislocations
• Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome
• Patellar instability
• Bursitis
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome
• Fractures

The leading cause of long-term (chronic) knee pain is arthritis. This condition takes many forms, the primary one being osteoarthritis. Over the years, the protective layers of articular cartilage covering the bones in your joints wear away. The exposed bones catch and rub, creating friction, inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is seen primarily in older adults.

Rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common form of the disease, is an autoimmune disorder. Your immune system attacks the joint linings as if they were harmful bacteria, causing irreversible joint damage.

How is knee pain diagnosed?

To diagnose your knee pain, Dr. Thompson examines the joint, looks through your medical history and asks about your symptoms. Depending on what he finds, you might also need diagnostic procedures like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.

If the cause of your knee pain isn’t clear or Dr. Thompson needs to see the joint to assess the damage in detail, you might need knee arthroscopy. This procedure uses an instrument fitted with a tiny, lighted camera that enters your joint through a small incision.

Dr. Thompson views images from the arthroscope’s camera on a screen. This means he can assess the joint damage without doing open surgery.

How is knee pain treated?

Initial treatments for knee pain are usually anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and wearing a brace. Minor to moderate knee problems often heal well with these treatments. Dr. Thompson can inject steroid medication into the joint if they don’t.

More severe knee pain and injuries that can’t heal properly by themselves often need surgery. Dr. Thompson uses minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery wherever possible. Arthroscopic techniques minimize tissue damage and pain and allow a faster recovery.

Call Jon Thompson, MD, today or book an appointment online to find expert relief from your knee pain.