Causes of Knee Pain

Whether you identify yourself as an injured athlete or someone who simply hurt themselves while walking their dog, there is a good chance that you will benefit from seeing a sports medicine doctor in Phoenix, Arizona.

Athletes and Sports Medicine Doctors

You do not need to be a regular participant of a sport to need a Phoenix AZ sports medicine doctor. A first-time skier, or someone who occasionally plays tennis or basketball, or anyone who was involved in a sport-like movement who has an accident- may be best off seeing a sports medicine doctor.

While many people consider an athlete to be someone who is dedicated to a sport, has an intense daily training routine, and who participates in an organized form of their sport, an athlete is really anyone who does some sort of physical activity on a regular basis. While a person may make their living or some amount of money off of their sport, an athlete does not have to make money doing this to be considered an athlete. And as many amateur athletes can attest, even those who are at the top of their game in a competitive sport, often have to pay to participate in these sports in the form of team dues, race fees, gym, and other facility memberships, etc.

Across the board, from competitive sports to people who jog on a regular basis to those who go bowling for fun every now and then, sport-related injuries are common. A sports medicine doctor in Phoenix AZ is usually the best doctor for these kinds of injuries.

Sports Medicine

A Phoenix AZ sports medicine doctor helps patients on the field, in the examining room, in the operating room, and depending on the kind of athlete, they may even treat a patient on a bus, on an airplane or in a hotel room. A sports medicine doctor’s goal is to maximize their patient’s ability to function while minimizing the patient’s disability itself.

Sports medicine is not a medical specialty in itself.  Most sports medicine doctors are certified in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics or physical medicine/rehabilitation. Some sports medicine doctors specialize in treating children and teens whose growing bones and bodies can be very different than fully formed adult bodies.

It does not matter how old or young you are, nor does it matter whether you are a high-level competitive athlete or a hobbyist athlete at most, if you have been injured it is probably time to consider seeing a sports medicine doctor.

Surgery and Sports Medicine

Within the field of sports medicine, there tend to be two different paths of treatment: non-surgical and surgical.

Non-Surgical Many sports injuries can be treated without surgery. Non-surgical

treatments can include different kinds of therapies, including physical therapy where the

patient plays an active role in their own healing and rehabilitation, as well as different

procedures, and medications.

Surgical Some sports injuries will not fully or properly heal without surgery. An

orthopaedic surgeon is typically the kind of doctor who will diagnose and perform the

kind of surgery a patient needs, as well as prescribe after-care treatment to ensure the

patient fully recovers from their surgery.

If you or someone you love has been injured from a sport or other physical activity, Dr. Monte Hessler  – Team Chiropractor – is a sports medicine doctor Phoenix AZ patients recommend and is available for a consultation to help you determine what sports medicine path is best for you.

Causes of Knee Pain

There are many reasons why people go see a sports medicine doctor, but one of the most common symptoms that send them there in the first place is knee pain. The job of the sports medicine doctor Phoenix, AZ trusts is to determine what is causing that pain and what the best course of treatment is.

Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor – and his medical team treat patients with knee pain in the Phoenix, AZ area and understand how frustrating and overwhelming dealing with chronic pain can be. Our goal is to provide all of our patients with the utmost care, offering noninvasive treatment options to alleviate that pain.

Knee Problems

No matter how much we try to avoid and protect them, the bottom line is that knee injuries are a frequent occurrence for many people who play sports. There are some injuries that bring patients seeking treatment more than others. These include:

    • Ligament injuries: One of the most common ligament injuries that cause knee pain is an ACL tear, however, all ligaments are at risk for tearing when a knee is turned the wrong way.
    • Tendon tears: Tears in the tendons can happen to anyone, but they do tend to occur more for patients who are middle-aged.
    • Meniscus (cartilage) tears: An unexpected movement or turn can cause the cartilage that protects the knee joint to tear.
  • Dislocation: The knee has three bones and it is not uncommon for one of those bones to pop out of place.

In addition to injuries, there are also diseases or conditions that can cause chronic knee pain in patients. The most common of these conditions include:

    • Arthritis: There are several forms of arthritis which can develop in the knee. These are gout osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid. Some patients can even develop arthritis as a result of a bacterial infection, referred to as septic arthritis.
    • Baker’s cyst: There are a variety of conditions which can cause a swelling to develop behind the knee. This swelling is referred to as a baker’s cyst. Your sports medicine doctor can determine what the condition is that is causing the swelling.
    • Bursitis: Bursitis is caused when the sacs of fluid that protect the knee become irritated. This is usually caused by overuse.
  • Effusion: When fluid fills up your knee, it is referred to as effusion. This can be caused by arthritis or some type of inflammation.

We all suffer aches and pains, especially as we age, however, you should never allow too much time to go by without having that pain checked out. If you should develop knee pain, the first thing you should do is to stop activity and rest. Raising your knee and keeping it iced can help with the swelling. If the pain and/or swelling persists, it is important to have your knee checked out by a doctor to determine what is wrong.

Contact a Sports Medicine Doctor Phoenix, Arizona Patients Trust Today

If you have been suffering from chronic knee pain and have not had positive result with prescribed treatments, contact Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor to find out how our proven treatment programs may help you begin a pain-free life. Call today to set up an appointment with a skilled sports medicine doctor Phoenix AZ athletes recommend.