Knee Pain Doctor Austin, TX

Anatomy of the knee

The knee is one of the most stressed joints in the human body and discomfort is common; therefore, it is important to find a knee pain Doctor in Austin, Texas that can treat your knee pain. Anatomically speaking, the knee is a synovial joint. Of the three major joint types (fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial), the synovial joint is the one that allows for the most degrees of freedom. There are many different kinds of synovial joints found in our body, with the most freely moving being the ball-and-socket joint, such as the shoulder and hip joints. The knee is a hinge joint, and it predominantly allows for flexion and extension, and slight lateral rotation. 

The knee joint is composed of the femur, the patella (kneecap), tibia, and fibula. There are various tissues that help to stabilize the knee, including tendons (connect bone to muscle) and ligaments (connect bone to bone). The knee is protected from anterior and posterior dislocations by the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Medial and lateral movement is mostly restricted by the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). 

Common causes of knee pain

Due to the complexity of the knee, there are many injuries that can occur and disrupt normal mobility and eventually lead to knee pain, but pain may also be caused by various medical conditions. More common injuries include:

•  sprained or torn ligaments
• overuse injuries caused by improper rest periods
• kneecap dislocations
• inflammation of the tendons or bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction in the knee during movement.

 This is not an extensive list of knee pain causes, and ultimately, it is important to visit a doctor in Austin, Texas in order to receive a proper diagnosis and begin to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Oftentimes, seeing a physical therapist is a part of the recommended course of action. 

Prevention

The risk for pain and injuries can be minimized by taking several preventative steps when engaging in physical activity. First, it is important to dynamically warm up before exercise in order to prepare your body for the workout and lower the risk of injury. It is just as important to adequately cool down following exercise to begin the recovery process. During physical activity, avoid ill fitting equipment or shoes, as improper equipment may lead to injury or discomfort. 

Treatment

If you have recently begun to experience knee pain, especially following physical activity, it is important to allow your body to properly recover. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method, which is an acronym that stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.While common, there are many techniques and tools available to augment this recovery process. If symptoms persist or worsen after adequate rest, visiting a knee pain doctor in Austin, Texas is recommended in order to obtain a proper diagnosis. Physical Therapy in Austin Texas can be utilized before or after this diagnosis and often is the only intervention that is required to return to full speed.

Cullen Nigrini is board certified in both Sport and Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and has been dedicated to working with all athletes since 1999. He is experienced in treating knee pain and developing plans to get both athletes and non-athletes back to getting back to doing the things they love. If you are looking for a knee pain doctor in Austin, Texas to aid in your recovery and treatment, call Austin Physical Therapy at 512-985-2200 or reach him by email [email protected] to schedule your evaluation.