What Type of Provider to See for Knee Problems

Posted on 
September 25, 2024

If your knee is troubling you, do you know what kind of provider to seek? There are a few different types of doctors who specialize in knee conditions, and the one you choose will depend on your particular problem and whether your pain is acute or chronic. Here, we look at various knee conditions, when to seek medical attention, and from whom you will find the right kind of care.

What Causes Knee Problems?

The knee joint is not just complex, made up of cartilage, bones, tendons and muscles, but it is also weight-bearing. Knee pain is extremely common, and about half of all adults over age 50 report pain in or around the knee joint. Younger people can suffer knee pain, too, though it is typically the result of an injury. It is important to pay attention to the pain because it is the body’s way of indicating a problem. In older people, knee pain is generally due to wear and tear or arthritis.

When to Seek Medical Care for Your Knees

If your knee pain is persistent and does not improve, it warrants a visit to an orthopedic knee doctor. Other signs that a knee problem requires specialized medical care include:

  • Redness, tenderness, or warmth in the knee
  • Substantial swelling
  • Intense pain
  • Inability of the leg to bear weight
  • Obvious deformity of the knee

Sometimes, pain may not be severe enough to require an emergency room trip or a specialist, but if it is persistent, it could be a sign of a degenerative condition like osteoarthritis. These conditions may get worse without treatment, so it is important to see a doctor if the pain is bad enough to require painkillers more than a few times a month, or if the knee is stiff, swollen or has a limited range of motion. Often, people ignore their symptoms, thinking it is normal for someone who is older or overweight. However, there are many treatment solutions available to reduce or eliminate pain, so seeing a doctor is the best choice.

Finding the Right Knee Provider

Does your knee pain require a knee specialist? If it does, you will want to find the right doctor for your condition. The correct specialist will know how to address your pain and provide preventive care to help you avoid further pain.

  • Sports Medicine Physicians: Generally, sports medicine physicians treat physically active people, for conditions related to sports and exercise. Sports place unique demands on the body, and sports medicine physicians specialize in treating and preventing injuries, typically with nonsurgical interventions. The goal is to get the athlete back to the sport as quickly as possible. Non-athletes can see sports medicine physicians, too, to help restore their everyday function. A sports medicine physician may recommend other specialists, like an athletic trainer or physical therapist.
  • Physical Therapists: These healthcare professionals specialize in conditions and injuries that affect the body’s function. If you have a knee injury or chronic knee pain, a physical therapist can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that will help improve or restore function and mobility. This plan may involve manual therapy, exercise, and other types of treatment, to help you manage the pain while reducing swelling and inflammation. A physical therapist can also advise patients on the right ways to walk, run, and do other activities without risking further injury or aggravation, and to avoid exacerbating the pain. Sometimes, physical therapists help patients recover after surgery.
  • Orthopedic Surgeons: These physicians specialize in the musculoskeletal system, treating injuries and diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. With extensive training in diagnosing and treating conditions, they can diagnose and treat a wide range of issues, both surgically and non-surgically. Often, orthopedic surgeons focus on a specific area of the body, so if you are suffering from knee pain, you may want to look for an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knees. After thoroughly evaluating the knees, perhaps through the use of imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs, an orthopedic surgeon will develop an appropriate treatment plan to address the problems the patient is experiencing. Orthopedic surgeons can treat chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, as well as acute injuries like ligament tears or fractures. They can perform a range of surgeries to repair or reconstruct the damaged structures within the knee, or they may recommend non-surgical interventions, like medication, injections, or physical therapy. Modern orthopedic surgery is often arthroscopic, using a tiny camera inserted in the knee to guide the surgeon performing the repairs. Orthopedic surgeons also perform knee replacement, substituting an artificial joint for the damaged knee joint.
  • Rheumatologists: When knee pain is accompanied by symptoms like fever, rash, or fatigue, a primary care physician may refer the patient to a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists specialize in inflammatory autoimmune disorders, which include rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. Patients with a family history of this kind of disorder are at higher risk of developing one, but rheumatologists can evaluate knee pain and provide treatment to alleviate it.

Once you know which kind of specialist to see, you can ask for a referral from your primary care physician or an emergency room doctor. If you are skipping over the PCP or emergency room, you can find a good knee specialist through word of mouth or online reviews.

Trust the Sports Medicine Physicians at Forté with Your Knees

Known today for providing comprehensive, specialized care for patients of all ages, Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics started as a small sports medicine clinic for high school athletes, back in 1983. Under the guidance of Dr. Thomas A Brady, the father of Central Indiana sports medicine, this independent, physician-owned orthopedic surgical practice grew to include a variety of sub-specialists before moving to Carmel in 1995. Today, the Carmel clinic is one of four locations, serving patients from across Indiana, with over 30 providers and dedicated staff to provide patients with exceptional treatment, as well as actively serving their communities.

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