Knee Pain
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Newhope Joint and Spine
Phuong Q. Tien, MD
Pain Management located in Westminster, CA
If your knee joint is persistently swollen and painful, you can find relief at Newhope Spine and Joint in Westminster, California. Phuong Q. Tien, MD, is skilled in diagnosing and treating chronic knee pain that results from ACL injuries, arthritis, or sports-related injuries. Dr. Tien uses the latest diagnostic technologies to evaluate the health of your knee joint and design a treatment plan that focuses on long-term pain relief. If you’re looking for nonsurgical solutions to chronic knee pain, schedule a consultation today by calling Newhope Joint and Spine or by booking an appointment online now.
Knee Pain Q & A
When your knee joint is affected by disease or damaged from a traumatic injury, the resulting pain can interfere with your ability to stay active. Some of the most common causes of knee pain include:
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Torn cartilage
- Ruptured tendon
- Frequent dislocation
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
Arthritis is also a common source of chronic knee pain, especially osteoarthritis, a condition that breaks down the protective cartilage at the ends of the bones of your knee joint. Without this cartilage, the knee bones rub together, creating friction with each movement that leads to chronic pain.
What are the symptoms of knee pain?
In addition to pain in your knee joint, you may experience a wide variety of symptoms that relate to a disease or damage in your knee, such as:
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Joint instability
For many, these issues also result in the loss of the usual range of motion in the knee that makes it difficult to walk, run, or stand without pain.
How is knee pain diagnosed?
To determine the root cause of your knee pain, Dr. Tien offers on-site diagnostic testing, including X-rays and CT scans. She also performs a physical evaluation of your knee joint, checking for areas of tenderness and swelling. During your exam, she may ask you to walk or do certain movements to evaluate your knee’s range of motion.
Blood work may be necessary to rule out underlying health issues, such as inflammation or autoimmune disorders, that can cause pain.
What treatments are available to relieve knee pain?
Your treatment plan for chronic knee pain depends on the cause and intensity of your pain. Initially, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can resolve pain and allow you to participate in regular exercise or physical therapy to further reduce your pain.
When oral medicines aren’t enough, Dr. Tien can deliver pain relievers and anti-inflammatories directly into the knee joint, which can provide long-term relief of pain. She may also recommend injections of hyaluronic acid, a lubricating fluid naturally found in your body that helps your joints move without friction.
If arthritis or an injury has caused severe damage to your knee joint, you may be a good candidate for joint replacement surgery. Dr. Tien refers you for surgery and continues to work with you after surgery to ensure your pain is well-controlled.
If chronic knee pain is limiting your active lifestyle, schedule a consultation at Newhope Joint and Spine today online or by calling the office.
