What is The Best Doctor To See For Knee Pain?
What Is Knee Pain?
People of various ages may experience intense, dull, continuous, or Periodic pain. Depending on the underlying reason, knee pain can affect everyday activities and general quality of life and be accompanied by swelling, stiffness, instability, or decreased mobility.
What Causes Knee Problems?
Comprising cartilage, bones, tendons, and muscles, the knee joint is not only complex, but it also bears weight. About half of all persons over 50 report having pain in or around their knees, making knee pain incredibly common.
Although it is usually the consequence of an injury, younger persons can also have knee pain. Since pain is the body’s method of signaling an issue, it is crucial to pay attention to it. The most common causes of knee pain in the elderly are arthritis or wear and tear.
Best Doctor To See For Knee Pain:
When you come to us with knee pain, you might see the following kinds of doctors:
Primary Care Providers (PCP) / Internists:
Primary Care Providers (PCPs or internists) are the medical professionals you see for routine medical issues, such as your annual physical or a non-emergency condition. For additional treatment, they can recommend that you see a specialist, such as an orthopaedic surgeon, rheumatologist, or sports medicine expert, depending on the kind and intensity of your knee pain.
General Practitioner:
When a patient has knee pain, they typically see a general practitioner, sometimes referred to as a primary care physician or family doctor. They will do a physical examination and obtain a thorough medical history. Based on their results, they might request diagnostic procedures like MRIs or X-rays. This can help rule out other possible causes of knee pain or confirm the diagnosis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), physical therapy exercises, or rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) are frequently suggested by a general practitioner. To lessen the strain on the knee joint, they could also suggest lifestyle changes like losing weight.
Sports Medicine Specialists:
Although it’s a frequent mistake, sports medicine specialists don’t just treat athletes. If surgery is thought to be necessary, they will refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon for more testing.
Physical Therapist:
Physical therapists are medical specialists who focus on diseases or injuries that may impair bodily function.
A physical therapist creates a customized treatment plan after doing a thorough evaluation, which may involve manual therapy, exercise, and other modalities to help reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling. In order to assist after surgery, physical therapists frequently collaborate closely with orthopedic knee surgeons.
In order to lower the chance of further injury or knee aggravation, the physical therapist may also suggest appropriate walking, running, and other activity strategies. In order to prevent behaviors that aggravate knee pain, they might also teach the patient how to change their lifestyle.
Orthopedic Knee Surgeon:
Numerous disorders affecting the knee joint are diagnosed and treated by orthopedic surgeons. Degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis and injuries like ligament tears or fractures may fall under this category.
The knees are initially carefully examined by an orthopedic physician. Injections, drugs, and physical therapy are examples of non-surgical treatments.
Orthopedic surgeons can repair or restore damaged knee structures through a variety of treatments if surgery is required.
Rheumatologists:
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles are all diagnosed and treated by rheumatologists. If they believe surgery may be necessary, they will refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon. They may suggest medicine, physical therapy, or injections as treatments for your knee pain.
Conclusion:
A general practitioner or primary care physician can provide an initial assessment, determine the condition, and suggest the best course of action. An orthopedic physician is usually the most qualified to diagnose and treat knee-related problems, such as injuries and joint abnormalities, if specialized care is required.
Referrals to a pain expert, rheumatologist, or physical therapist may also be required in certain circumstances. Selecting the appropriate physician guarantees a precise diagnosis, efficient care, and sustained alleviation of knee pain.
FAQs
Who will check for knee pain?
Doctors who specialize in treating issues relating to bones and joints are known as orthopedicians. The best course of action when your knee hurts is to see an orthopedic physician. However, within this field, physicians specialize in various orthopedic issues.
When I have knee pain, whom should I see first?
If your knee pain started when there was no visible damage, you might want to see a sports medicine physician or physiatrist first. They can evaluate your pain and treat it themselves, or they might send you to an orthopedic surgeon, rheumatologist, or physical therapist if necessary.
Which physician should I see if I have knee issues?
Orthopedic specialist
When it comes to identifying, treating, and managing knee pain from a variety of sources, orthopedic specialists are crucial. The benefit of speaking with an orthopedic knee specialist is that these professionals frequently suggest conservative measures before deciding to have surgery.
Which physician is the best to consult for knee pain?
Medical professionals who specialize in accurately diagnosing and treating issues with the bones, joints, and muscles are known as orthopedists. In order to alleviate the symptoms, they will be able to identify the source of the pain and create a treatment plan. Prescription drugs or surgery may be required in certain situations.
Who is the best physician for knee pain?
Numerous disorders affecting the knee joint are diagnosed and treated by orthopedic surgeons. Degenerative illnesses like osteoarthritis and injuries like ligament tears or fractures may fall under this category. The knees are initially carefully examined by an orthopedic physician.
References
- Team, N. S. (2023, April 19). What is the best doctor to see for knee pain? The Noyes Knee Institute. https://noyeskneeinstitute.com/what-is-the-best-doctor-to-see-for-knee-pain/
- Silva, K., & Silva, K. (2022, January 31). What are the different types of knee doctors? Center for Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine. https://www.centerfororthosurgery.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-knee-doctors/
