The knee can be one of the most vulnerable places on the body for muscle soreness or other conditions. This area is made up of ligaments that connect to different bones, which can make it easier to tear or pull. As a result, a serious injury can happen, from a high-level athlete to a person with old age. This is due to more wear and tear being prevalent in this portion of the body. A specialist has the right tools to diagnose what’s going on internally. Here are a few things to note before seeking a good knee pain doctor in the Fox Valley area.
See a Specialist If the Pain Doesn’t Subside
If it’s a small injury, it can usually go away on its own after a few days or a week. All that’s needed to treat most bruises and sprains for home treatment is rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Also, a physician can prescribe an over-the-counter medication to help relieve any symptoms. There could be something more serious if there’s no pain relief. That could be a deeper medical problem, such as a torn cartilage, meniscus, or muscle. Seek different opinions from physicians in the area to see if the same diagnosis is made for a particular health condition. Also, see if the lower half of the body tends to give out regularly.
Does it Feel Unstable in This Area of the Body?
Always be aware of the activity that goes on in the body. A good sign that it’s time for treatment is when it feels like there’s a lot of pressure or some kind of buildup in that area of trauma. It could be an indicator of the ligament being pulled or torn. A good specialist can perform an MRI to see any causes of what happened and if surgery is necessary. Sometimes, they can take a preventive measure to keep it from getting to that extreme. In either case, it’s important to know this as soon as possible to prevent the area from being completely disabled. It can impact daily life.
Find Out How it Impacts Daily Life
For some people, it can be as simple as a limp that just doesn’t go away. If this happens after a while, go to a specialist who can provide education and options as to next steps. This may also affect a person’s sleep pattern, because they may have to lay in an uncomfortable manner. Sleep loss can affect not only productivity for work and school, but it can cause other health problems. Finding a good physician can help the body get back on track for a better lifestyle.
Knowledge is power, so the more you’re aware of what’s going on, the better chance you’ll have in getting the right treatment to improve your quality of life.
When You’re Ready to See a Specialist
Request a consultation with one of the orthopedic specialists at the Orthopedic & Sports Institute. Call (920) 560-1000 or request an appointment online.
OSI has convenient locations to serve you. The campus in Appleton includes clinics, a surgery center, MRI, physical therapy, and a skilled nursing facility, as well as a walk-in clinic that provides care for new orthopedic injuries. OSI has outreach clinics in Green Bay, New London, Ripon, Shawano, Waupaca, and the newest location at 600 N. Koeller Street in Oshkosh.
OSI is a proud member of NOVO Health.