Knee pain can be a sign of a serious injury, or it could just be a minor issue that you can treat at home. Either way, it’s important to know how long you should wait before seeking medical attention.
My name is Dr. David Geier – orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine expert. I help you feel, look and perform your best, regardless of age or injury.
If you suffer a knee injury, or if you develop knee pain even though you don’t remember a specific event that caused it, when should you see a doctor or orthopedic surgeon? My general rule, although there are always exceptions, is that if your knee pain lasts for more than 1 to 2 weeks and the symptoms don’t improve with time, there’s a good chance that something more serious is going on. Or at least something that needs more than rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications.
But more than just time, it’s important to look for these signs and symptoms:
- Swelling
- Loss of range of motion in the knee
- Pain when bending or straightening your knee
- Inability to bend or straighten the knee
- Buckling or giving way of the knee
- Significant pain with bearing weight or walking on that leg
These can be signs of injuries like ACL tears, MCL tears, fractures and meniscus tears. In these cases, it can be a good idea to see an orthopedic surgeon to get x-rays and possibly an MRI to determine the extent of injury and determine appropriate next steps, including a brace, physical therapy or even surgery.
We are looking for 5 patients with knee pain who want to get significantly better in the next 30 days, without cortisone shots, physical therapy, or surgery. Click this link and enter the term ‘Interested’ in the description box to learn more.
