Knee Pain Treatment in Birmingham, AL
Knee pain is a common symptom in people of all ages. Because you use your knee so much, it is vulnerable to injury. Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a pain specialist or a doctor. Most knee problems can be prevented or treated with simple measures like exercise or training programs, while others may require surgery.
Are you tired of living with constant knee discomfort? Is knee pain preventing you from enjoying life to the fullest? Look no further than Dr. J. Todd Smith in Birmingham, AL, your dedicated partner in restoring your knee health and reclaiming your active lifestyle. Call (205) 573-4700 to schedule your appointment today!
A Closer Look at Your Knee
Your knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in your body. Your knee helps to join your thigh bone to the shin bones and your kneecap. Your knee also contains cartilage to help your knee move smoothly acting as shock absorbers for your body.
Because there are so many complex parts of the knee, it can often be at risk for pain or injury. You may also be at increased risk for knee pain if you:
- Are overweight and putting increased stress on your knee joints
- Overuse your knee
- If you have a history of arthritis
- Lack muscle flexibility or strength to help stabilize and protect your joints
- Participate in sports or activities with jumping, turning, running, or other movements
- Have a physically demanding job such as construction or farming
- Suffered from a previous knee injury
What are the Common Causes of Knee Pain?
It may start suddenly, often after an injury or exercise. Knee pain also may begin as a mild discomfort, then slowly get worse. Knee pain can have many different causes.
Some common causes of knee pain include:
- Strain or sprain – Minor injuries to the ligaments caused by sudden or unnatural twisting
- Dislocation of the kneecap
- Bursitis – Inflammation from repeated pressure on the knee, such as kneeling for a long time, overuse, or injury
- Fracture of the kneecap or other bones
- Iliotibial band syndrome – Injury to the thick band that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee
- Patellofemoral syndrome – Pain in the front of your knee around the kneecap
- Torn ligament – An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury may cause bleeding into your knee, swelling, or an unstable knee
- Torn cartilage (a meniscus tear) – Pain felt on the inside or outside of the knee joint
How is Knee Pain Treated?
We have many options to help get you the relief you need. Knee pain can limit your mobility, your self-esteem, and the quality of your life.
If you’ve been dealing with knee pain, we can visit with you to get you the relief you need.
Treatment options for knee pain may include:
- ACL Reconstruction / Repair
- Revision ACL reconstruction,
- Joint Preservation
- Multi-ligament and Knee Dislocation
- PCL reconstruction
- LCL Repair
- Posterior Lateral Corner (PLC)
- MCL repair and reconstruction
- Medial patella-femoral ligament repair/reconstruction
- Patellar and quadriceps tendon repair
- Meniscal repair
- Partial Meniscectomy
- Root repair
- Reshaping for discoid meniscus
- Articular cartilage restorative procedures:
- Microfracture
- OATS (Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation Surgery)
- Cadaver OATS
- Autologous cell implantation (ACI)
- Matrix-Assisted Cell Implantation (MACI)
- Allograft tissue implantation
Dr. Smith will perform a physical exam and closely look at your knee. You will be asked questions to help Dr. Smith understand your knee problem. Blood or imaging tests, such as x-rays or MRI, may also be ordered to help diagnose the problem. We may see you for other visits to discuss your successes, setbacks, and your plan for full relief moving forward.
How Can I Avoid Future Knee Injuries?
Follow these general tips to help relieve and prevent knee pain:
- Always warm up before exercising
- Stretch muscles
- Cool down after exercising
- Wear proper footwear when exercising
- Avoid running down hills
- Find alternatives to running
- Reduce the amount of exercise you do
- Run on a smooth, soft surface, such as a track, instead of on cement or pavement
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Modify activities that include jumping or put extra stress on your knee
- Get help with flat feet or try shoe inserts
Schedule Your Knee Consultation in Birmingham, AL
Don’t let knee pain hold you back. Act now and experience the transformation that personalized, expert care can bring. Your future without knee pain starts here! Call (205) 573-4700 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Smith today.
This content has been reviewed by Dr. J. Todd Smith, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with over 25 years of experience.