Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Chronic Knee Pain

Chronic joint pain – especially pain located in the knee joint – is one of the top reasons many people seek out help from a chronic pain specialist. Because the knee joint is a very complex structure, there are many different possible causes and solutions for that pain. Today our pain management Waynesville NC staff (clinics also 12 other convenient Asheville/Western North Carolina area locations) is going to address some of the non-surgical treatment options. Read on to learn more about the knee joint, common causes for pain and several different options for treatment.

Structures in the Knee Joint

In order to better understand some of the treatments for chronic knee joint pain, it’s helpful to know a little bit about the structures that exist within your knee. The knee is one of the most complex and versatile joints in the human body.

Most people know that the knee joint connects the shin bone (Tibia) to the thigh bone (Femur). It also supports the connection of the smaller lower leg bone (Fibula) to the joint as well as keeping the kneecap (Patella) in place. Together with ligaments, tendons and muscles, the knee joint is responsible for providing movement, stability and shock absorption in the lower body.  

Common Reasons for Knee Pain

Our pain clinic Waynesville specialists (clinics also in 12 other convenient Asheville/Western North Carolina  area locations) treat quite a few joint conditions. That being the case, we see firsthand that there are some conditions that occur more often than others. Some of the most common causes of knee pain include the following:  

• Meniscus tear

• Tendonitis

• Loss of synovial fluid

• Bursitis

• Fractures

• Cruciate Ligament tear

• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) strain or tear

• Arthritis (especially advanced Osteoarthritis)

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Many knee injuries or conditions are so severe that they require surgery to treat. Even then, those surgeries may not completely eliminate the symptoms. Some of the more successful, less invasive treatments include:

•  Intra-articular injection

• Physical therapy

• Nerve block

• Radiofrequency ablation

At CPC, we take a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive approach to treating your chronic knee pain. One of the unique treatments we offer combines both a specialized type of nerve block as well as radiofrequency ablation. Watch CPC’s Dr. Edward Lewis’ video on non-surgical treatments for knee pain to learn more about this revolutionary treatment.

Preventative Knee Health

There are some things the patient can do from home or in his/her day-to-day life that can help keep the knee joint healthy. These will also help increase the effectiveness of non-invasive treatments for those patients who are already receiving therapy. Our top recommendations for prevention are as follows:

• Low impact exercises such as yoga, tai-chi, swimming or strength training

• Nutritional joint supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin)

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

• See a podiatrist to ensure your walking (gait) pattern isn’t contributing to your knee joint pain

Pain Management Waynesville NC

Whether it’s knee joint pain or cancer treatment pain or anything in between, we are here for you. We are passionate about helping you find on your journey to a pain-free life. To learn more about the conditions we specialize in treating, visit our conditions page. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation.