Knee pain is a common symptom among individuals of different age groups. There could be several different causes of knee pain, some may be present itself because of an acute injury while others may be due to the wear and tear caused by ageing. Read along further to find out about the causes of knee pain, how knee pain can be relieved, diagnostic imaging tests available for knee pain, and options for knee pain treatment in Singapore.
Knee pain often manifests itself in the form of pain accompanied by swelling and stiffness in the knee joint, weakness or instability, popping noises, and an inability to straighten the knee. Knee pain and stiffness can come and go and some days may be more painful than the others. This can severely affect the patient’s mobility and have an adverse effect on their lifestyle. Some of the most common causes of knee pain include:
Since knee pain can affect a person’s mobility, it is prudent for them to seek some knee pain remedy in order to return back to their normal routine and lifestyle as early as possible. There are certain knee pain relief remedies that one can do at home to see if the pain responds. If not, it is a good idea to get yourself checked by a qualified knee pain specialist in Singapore for effective diagnosis and treatment for knee pain.
Probably the most effective way on how to heal knee pain at home is to utilise the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) protocol. Giving your affected knee the required rest by avoiding activities that put strain on the knee is crucial to ensure recovery. Applying ice on the affected knee for 15-20 minutes three times a day helps reduce inflammation and pain. Applying a pressure bandage on the knee and compressing it is also beneficial for knee pain relief. Finally, elevating your knee above the heart level while lying down by propping it over a few pillows also helps manage inflammation and pain.
Although resting the affected knee is important during the initial days of injury, it can stiffen the joint and contribute towards a slower recovery. Daily exercise can help keep the muscles strong and the joint flexible so that your mobility is not affected. After consultation with your doctor or physiotherapist, you can engage in low-impact exercises such as walking, cycling, swimming, and yoga.
Although some simple cases of knee pain may be treated at home with remedies, there are certain injuries and situations where it is important to consult a professional for correct diagnosis and consequent treatment. Do visit your nearest healthcare provider in Singapore if you experience the following signs and symptoms:
In addition to a physical exam by the doctor, you may need diagnostic imaging scans for knee pain diagnosis and treatment. This is because imaging scans can help doctors visualise the internal structures of the knee including the joint bones, ligaments, muscles, and other connective tissues. Through these scans, the doctor can be in a better position to identify any injury to any of the internal structures of the knee and recommend treatment accordingly.
The diagnostic imaging scans used for knee pain diagnosis in Singapore include:
Although many thought they share the same purpose, CT and MRI scans have different modes of action and structure visualisation. Check out this article to learn more about MRI scan vs CT scan.
Knee joint pain treatment in Singapore involves non-surgical and surgical treatment options depending on the underlying cause of knee pain.
As a first line of treatment, your doctor may prescribe some of the following non-surgical treatment options for knee pain.
Knee pain medicine that includes over-the-counter painkillers and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are helpful in managing pain and swelling. Tylenol, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are some of the painkillers that are taken for knee pain management. Always consult your doctor before taking any medications.
Your doctor may recommend a type of injection to be administered directly into your knee joint to manage pain and swelling. These injections can include Corticosteroids, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or Hyaluronic acid injections.
Physical therapy is an important modality in any kind of knee pain treatment as therapy strengthens the knee muscles, makes it more stable, and aids in recovery. Your physical therapist will guide you in doing the right exercises, stretches, and low-impact activities that can help you manage knee pain and help your knee recover better.
In some cases of knee injuries, surgery might be the only option. Surgery may also be essential if all conservative measures have been exhausted with little to no improvement in the knee pain. Surgical treatment options for knee pain in Singapore may comprise the following procedures:
In arthroscopic surgery, a few small incisions are made in the knee. A thin, fibre-optic camera is inserted into one of the incisions that helps visualise the internal area. Thin surgical tools are then inserted through the other incisions. The video feed from the camera guides the surgeon in carrying out the surgical procedure. During a knee arthroscopy, the surgeon removes damaged cartilages from the knee joint and may repair or reconstruct damaged cartilages and torn ligaments.
Osteotomy is a surgical procedure that can help relieve knee pain associated with arthritis. During this procedure, the surgeon removes a part of the thigh bone or the shin bone to align the knee better.
In a partial knee replacement surgery, the surgeon removes only the damaged parts of your knee and replaces them with metallic or plastic parts. This surgery is usually performed through small incisions made in the knee.
In a total knee replacement surgery, the surgeon removes the entire knee joint, knee cap, part of the shin bone and thigh bone, and all other damaged ligaments and cartilages. He then replaces all these parts by an artificial knee joint made out of metal alloys, polymers, and high-grade plastics.
You may not always be able to prevent knee pain, especially the one associated with arthritis or an injury. However, there are certain precautions and preventive measures that you can take to strengthen your knee muscles and prevent injury of the knee.
Knee pain is a common condition that almost everyone experiences at least once in their lives. Sometimes, it can become debilitating and adversely affect your quality of life. However, you do not have to suffer in silence if you experience knee pain. Contact a professional healthcare clinic in Singapore and perform a diagnostic scan to uncover the root cause of your knee pain. RadLink is Singapore’s premium healthcare service provider that offers a wide range of revolutionised diagnostic imaging, needle biopsy and radiopharmaceuticals. Contact RadLink today to find out more on diagnostic imaging tools available and speak to your physician to determine the cause of your knee pain and start treatment early.
Depending on the cause of knee pain, different types of treatments may be effective for different patients. For some patients, heat and cold therapy, exercise, physical therapy, medicines, and injections may prove to be effective whereas for more serious causes of knee pain, surgery may be the only effective treatment.
Physical therapy restores mobility through non-invasive treatments such as exercises, ice and heat application, manual therapy and electrical stimulation. Whenever you experience persistent knee pain and stiffness, especially while doing your daily activities, you should consider physical therapy.
Alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic care may help with knee pain depending on its exact cause. For example, in case of an acute injury of the knee, these therapies are unlikely be of beneficial. However, such therapies may be recommended as complementary therapies in addition to other medical treatment options. These therapies can help improve mobility and flexibility in the knee and may provide some relief by decreasing pain intensity.
Ice and heat therapy are effective ways to manage knee pain. Ice helps bring the swelling down whereas heat helps in loosening the tight muscles and joints. In case of knee pain, if you notice swelling in the knee, it is best to apply ice to the knee for 15-20 minutes at least three times a day for the initial 48-72 hours till the swelling goes down. After that, use warm compresses and heat packs on the knee and surrounding areas for 15-20 minutes at least thrice a day to help relax the tight muscles, improve mobility, and relieve pain and muscle spasms.
Increased body weight can put tremendous pressure on the knees that can cause knee pain and damage to the knee structures, increasing pain. Excessive weight is also associated with increased inflammation in the body that can further aggravate your knee pain. Managing your weight at a healthy level and adopting a healthy and active lifestyle can disrupt the inflammatory process and help relieve your knee pain.
If you experience the following symptoms, it may be a signal that your knee pain is something serious and highly advisable to seek medical attention:
Usually diagnostic imaging tests are carried out to diagnose the cause of knee pain after which treatment would be planned. Depending on the cause of pain and the type of treatment, the recovery time may vary. Normally, your doctor will not order additional imaging tests unless you experience severe worsening of symptoms of if the doctor suspects that the initial diagnosis for the cause of knee pain was not correct.
