Knee pain can be caused by many things. You can have an injury to the tendons, ligaments or muscles surrounding the knee. Your pain can also be due to a form of arthritis. The only way to tell is to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Tests can determine the cause of your knee pain. Get a proper diagnosis; each type of condition calls for a specific treatment program.
Step 1
Have a complete physical exam. Your doctor can review your history of symptoms. This includes what the pain feels like, what makes it better and what makes it worse. He can look for signs of stiffness, swelling and redness that may indicate arthritis. Pain in just one knee can suggest osteoarthritis; pain in both is more likely rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis pain tends to be worse after periods of inactivity, and it improves with movement, This can differ from ligament or tendon injuries that may become worse as you move. In addition; arthritis may cause a general ache,
while an injury to a tendon or ligament may result in a very localized pain.
Step 2
Get the right imaging tests. An X-ray can show changes to the bone indicative of arthritis. Osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms, occurs as the cartilage in the knee wears away. As this happens, bone rubs on bone and can lead to the development of bone spurs. The Arthritis Research Campaign says: "The X-ray is the most useful test to confirm osteoarthritis. Often it will show the space between the bones narrowing as the cartilage thins, and changes in the bone such as spurs." If your physician doesn't see anything in the X-ray he may order an MRI, which shows injuries to surrounding soft tissue and can help to rule out arthritis as the cause.
Step 3
Use blood tests. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor can use the results of blood tests to determine whether your knee pain is arthritis related. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation to the knee joint lining. A blood test can show active inflammation and other factors that are present with this condition. The Arthritis Foundation says that if you have rheumatoid arthritis in your knees, your blood work will most likely show a low red blood cell count, high white blood cell count and an elevated platelet count. In addition; your doctor may aspirate fluid from your knee to help confirm a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis versus other causes.
Tips and Warnings
- See your doctor for a proper diagnosis so that you can choose the right treatment program. A treatment plan that's helpful for one condition may be contraindicated for another condition. Knowing the exact cause of your knee pain helps you find the right approach to manage your symptoms.
- Never ignore knee pain. Leaving an injury or condition untreated can lead to a more serious condition. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of a faster recovery.
