Treatment for Knee Pain
What is patella pain?
Your patella, commonly referred to as the kneecap, is a common source of pain for those who participate in distance running, jumping, and other high-stress activities that cause an excessive impact on the knee. A common injury that causes patella pain is known as runner’s knee, which causes dull, aching, and occasionally sharp pain around the kneecap as a result of excess stress on the cartilage under the patella.
Dr. David Dare is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee and shoulder injuries. He has extensive experience working with athletes who are suffering from knee pain, creating customized treatment plans that get you back to your regular routine and activities quickly.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Patella pain is most commonly associated with one of the following:
- Imbalance in muscle strength or muscle weakness, which can cause unnatural wear on the knee joint
- Core and glute muscle weakness
- Excessive stress on the patellofemoral joint, often from active lifestyles or jumping sports
- Prior knee surgery
What are the symptoms of patella pain?
Visit Dr. David Dare in Raleigh, North Carolina if you experience any of the following kneecap problems or pain, which could indicate an underlying condition or injury:
- Dull, aching pain in the kneecap area
- Pain when squatting or kneeling
- Pain that feels like it is under your kneecap
- Pain after sitting for extended periods of time
- Difficulty using the stairs
How is Knee Pain Diagnosed?
Kneecap pain and knee pain could indicate a number of different underlying problems, so it’s important that you get a diagnosis from an experienced orthopedic physician who specializes in knee injuries. Dr. Dare has years of experience and training devoted to diagnosing and treating all kinds of knee pain. To accurately diagnose your condition, Dr. Dare conducts a comprehensive exam, which includes discussing all your relevant medical history, current symptoms, level of knee pain, and any prior sports injuries/traumatic injuries.
He also spends time having you move the knee in different ways to look for signs of an underlying condition and to assess your pain level with motion. The following image tests are also often used to rule out more serious conditions like a fractured kneecap:
- X-rays
- MRI scans
- CT scans
What Our Patients Have to Say
“Dr. Dare was great. He gave me my diagnosis, he was direct with me and gave me comfort in knowing that my knee was going to be fine!” – Angelo C.
“Dr. Dare took the time to listen to all of my concerns regarding my knees, and offered several different ideas. I did not feel rushed, and I was the last appointment of the day!” – Karen F.
How is patella pain treated?
Non-Surgical Knee Pain Treatment Options
Depending on the condition that is causing your knee pain, your treatment approach will vary greatly. In most cases, your knee pain can be treated using conservative options under the care of an orthopedic specialist like Dr. Dare. He may recommend:
- Rest
- Activity level and lifestyle modifications
- Heat/ice therapy
- Physical therapy
- Exercise therapy
- Massage therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
Knee Pain Surgical Treatment
In other cases, patella pain may indicate a more serious condition that requires surgical intervention. When appropriate Dr. David Dare may recommend a minimally-invasive option called arthroscopic knee surgery, which can repair damage to the knee and relieve patella pain.
Schedule a Consultation:
If you are experiencing symptoms of patella pain, consult an orthopedic knee specialist who can help relieve your pain and restore knee function. Dr. David Dare is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and knee surgery.
His primary goal is to develop an effective treatment plan using the least invasive techniques to relieve your knee pain, restore function, and get you back to feeling your best. Call 919.781.5600 or fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dare today.
