When to See a Doctor for Knee Pain

Knee pain is a very common condition.  There can be a variety of causes of your knee pain.  These can range from a simple strain, to a ligament tear such as an ACL tear, or even a condition such as osteoarthritis.  Depending on the condition, you can get knee pain with bending or knee pain when walking.  The pain can be in the inside of the knee or in the back of the knee.  Since it is so common, it is often difficult to know when to see a doctor for knee pain. 

The first line treatment for knee pain should include avoiding activities that aggravate the knee.  This, along with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, can help reduce inflammation which is causing pain and allow your body to heal the injury.  Chronic knee pain that has failed these treatments is one indication that you should seek the advice of a medical professional.  Some other symptoms that should steer you towards seeing an orthopedic surgeon include sharp, severe pain in the knee or sense of instability in the knee.

When thinking about your knee pain, try to remember if there was a certain injury that caused it.  What does the pain feel like, and what aggravates your knee pain?  These are important questions that will help your orthopedic surgeon to determine the cause, and appropriate treatment plan for your knee pain.