Knee Pain: When Should You See an Orthopaedic Doctor?

Knee pain can be surprisingly easy to accommodate.

You stop taking the stairs. You walk a little slower. You avoid the exercise that triggers it. Maybe you start leaning more heavily on the other leg.

Before long, you've changed several parts of your routine without actually finding out why your knee hurts.

Not every painful knee needs specialist treatment. Mild soreness after unusual activity may settle. But persistent pain, swelling, instability, restricted movement or pain following a significant injury deserves more attention.

Here's how to tell when it may be time to have your knee assessed.

First, What Can Cause Knee Pain?

“Knee pain” isn't a diagnosis.

The knee contains bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and other structures, and problems affecting different parts of the joint can produce similar symptoms.

A few common possibilities include:

Ligament injuries

Ligaments help keep the knee stable. Injuries can happen during sports, falls, collisions or movements that suddenly twist or force the knee.

An ACL injury, for example, is commonly associated with activities involving sudden stops, pivoting, jumping or rapid changes of direction.

Meniscus injuries

The menisci are pieces of cartilage within the knee that help distribute load across the joint.

A meniscus can be injured during twisting movements. Depending on the injury, symptoms may include pain, swelling, catching or a knee that locks.

Tendon and overuse problems

Sometimes the problem develops gradually.

Running, repetitive activity or a sudden increase in exercise can irritate structures around the knee. Where the pain occurs and which movements trigger it can provide useful clues during an assessment.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can cause knee pain, stiffness and reduced movement or function.

Having knee osteoarthritis does not automatically mean surgery. Treatment can include exercise, weight management where appropriate, medication and other non-surgical options, depending on the individual.

These aren't the only causes of knee pain, which is why persistent symptoms are better assessed than diagnosed from a Google search.

7 Signs It's Time to Have Your Knee Checked

1. The pain isn't settling

Pay attention to the pattern, not just how painful the knee feels today.

Has the pain lasted longer than expected? Does it disappear and return every time you resume normal activity? Is it gradually becoming worse?

Also notice whether you've started compensating for it. Avoiding stairs, changing the way you walk, exercising less or waking because of knee pain all tell your doctor something about how much the problem is affecting you.

2. There is significant or persistent swelling

Some swelling can occur after an injury, but a knee that becomes markedly swollen, particularly very quickly, deserves attention.

Swelling that persists or occurs alongside significant pain or restricted movement should also be assessed.

3. Putting weight on the leg has become difficult

If you cannot comfortably stand or walk on the affected leg, especially after an injury, don't keep testing it by trying to push through the pain.

Difficulty bearing weight can be a sign that the knee needs prompt medical assessment.

4. The knee feels unstable or keeps giving way

A knee that repeatedly buckles underneath you isn't just inconvenient. It may indicate a problem with one of the structures responsible for keeping the joint stable.

If this started after a twist, fall or other injury, mention that during your assessment.

5. You can't move the knee normally

A knee that won't fully bend or straighten, repeatedly catches or becomes locked should be checked.

Restricted movement can have several causes, and the accompanying symptoms and examination help determine what may be happening.

6. The pain followed a significant injury

A knee that aches after a long day is different from one that became painful after a hard fall, road traffic accident, sports collision or forceful twist.

Seek prompt medical care when a significant injury is followed by severe pain, substantial swelling, visible deformity or difficulty using the leg normally.

7. Knee pain is starting to dictate your life

This is easy to underestimate because it can happen gradually.

Perhaps you can still walk, but not as far. You can still use the stairs, but you avoid them whenever possible. You stopped exercising months ago because of the knee. Getting out of a chair takes more effort than it used to.

The effect of knee pain on your normal activities is relevant when deciding whether further assessment or treatment is needed.

When Does Knee Pain Need More Urgent Attention?

Seek prompt medical attention if:

• the knee looks visibly deformed after an injury
• you cannot put weight on the affected leg
• you develop severe pain following significant trauma
• the knee becomes suddenly very swollen
• the knee is painful, red and swollen and you also have a fever
• you cannot bend or straighten the knee normally

The urgency depends on the symptoms and circumstances, but these aren't signs to simply watch indefinitely at home.

What Happens When You See an Orthopaedic Doctor for Knee Pain?

An orthopaedic appointment starts with working out why the knee hurts.

Your doctor will usually want to know when the pain began, whether there was an injury, where you feel it, what makes it worse and whether you've noticed swelling, locking or instability.

They'll also want to understand how the problem affects everyday life and whether you've had previous knee problems.

A physical examination can assess things such as movement, tenderness, swelling and stability. Depending on the findings, imaging or other investigations may be recommended.

Not every painful knee needs the same test, so an X-ray or scan should not be treated as the starting point for every patient.

Will an Orthopaedic Appointment Lead to Surgery?

For many people, no.

Orthopaedic care includes non-surgical treatment as well as surgery. What is appropriate depends on the cause of the knee pain, its severity and how much it is affecting your function.

For knee osteoarthritis, for example, treatment may include therapeutic exercise, weight management where appropriate, medication and other non-surgical approaches.

Joint replacement becomes a consideration for some patients when symptoms such as pain, stiffness or reduced function are substantially affecting quality of life and appropriate non-surgical treatment has not provided enough benefit or isn't suitable.

An orthopaedic consultation is therefore not a commitment to surgery. It's an opportunity to establish the diagnosis and discuss the treatment options that make sense for your knee.

Looking for an Orthopaedic Doctor in Ibadan?

Banby Specialist Hospital provides orthopaedic care in Akobo, Ibadan, including hip and knee surgery, total hip replacement and total knee replacement where clinically appropriate.

Banby was founded by Prof. Bade B. Omololu, MBBS, FRCS, FWACS, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon/Traumatologist.

If knee pain is persistent, worsening or affecting your mobility and everyday activities, you can book an assessment to find out what may be causing it and what treatment options are appropriate.

Book an Orthopaedic Appointment

Call Banby Specialist Hospital

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain

How long should I wait before seeing a doctor about knee pain?

There isn't one timeline that applies to every knee problem. Mild discomfort after unusual activity may improve, but pain that persists for several weeks, keeps returning, worsens or begins affecting normal activities should be assessed. Severe symptoms or significant injuries may need attention much sooner.

What kind of doctor should I see for knee pain?

Many knee problems can initially be assessed by a general doctor. An orthopaedic doctor specialises in conditions affecting bones, joints and other parts of the musculoskeletal system and may be appropriate for persistent pain, injuries, instability or more significant joint problems.

Should I see a doctor if my knee hurts when I climb stairs?

Pain on stairs can have several causes. If it persists, worsens or begins limiting what you can do, an assessment can help establish the cause rather than treating the symptom alone.

Can knee pain improve without surgery?

Yes. Many knee conditions are treated without surgery. The appropriate treatment depends on the diagnosis and individual circumstances.

Does knee pain mean I have arthritis?

No. Osteoarthritis is one possible cause, but knee pain can also result from injuries, overuse and other conditions.

Does knee arthritis eventually mean knee replacement?

Not necessarily. Many people with knee osteoarthritis are managed without joint replacement. Surgery may be considered when symptoms substantially affect quality of life and appropriate non-surgical treatment is no longer sufficient or suitable.