Relieving Knee Pain

Baptist Health Lexington: Relieving Knee Pain

Orthopedic surgeon Michael E. Kirk, MD, explains various ways to relieve knee pain, describing how arthroscopic knee replacement surgery can help when other treatments aren’t successful.

Relieving Knee Pain Health Talks Transcript

Michael E. Kirk, MD, Orthopedic Surgery
Knee pain can affect both young and mature patients. The young patient may be more prone to an injury that occurs with athletic activity or sporting activity, or even if they are out playing in the backyard. Whereas, most of your mature patients have ongoing chronic knee problems that may require the services of an orthopedic surgeon. Whenever I evaluate a patient, I am trying to find the conservative approach first, as surgical intervention would certainly be the last thing that would be considered for the knee problem. Conservative treatments for knee pain would include rest, ice, some gentle compression on the knee, and elevation of the limb.  Also, on top of that, we may use an anti-inflammatory, use physical therapy and some protective weight-bearing and bracing in some situations. When the problem does not improve with any of the conservative measures, which we do give an adequate amount of time to relieve the problem, then we start to evaluate if surgery is indicated. Surgical intervention in the form of arthroscopy can be considered, or even up to and including knee replacement surgery in the mature patient. The outcomes for surgical intervention are some of the most satisfied patients that we have and if they weren’t, I wouldn’t do this.

Wondering what your knee and hip pain means? Or what you can do to alleviate that pain? Take this knee and hip assessment to find out how well your joints are functioning and how joint pain affects your quality of life.