At first, those little stabs and twinges might be easily brushed off. After all, shouldn’t you expect a bit of knee pain as you get older or start working out more?

Often, the answer is a reassuring “yes.” But if the pain is becoming a fact of life or is getting worse, it’s probably time to consult an orthopedic specialist.

At Mississippi Sports Medicine, our team of experts will quickly determine the underlying cause of your knee pain and create the best treatment plan for that health issue.

Whether you just want to get back to normal daily activities or to begin pursuing more athletic challenges, we can get you there!

When It’s Time to See a Specialist for Knee Pain

Although too many of us ignore our own pain for too long, doing so isn’t a good idea. Many knee pain conditions can actually worsen over time. Potential causes include ligament tears, cartilage injuries or osteoarthritis.

So when do you know that it’s time to seek a specialist for chronic knee pain? Here are a few telltale symptoms:

Extended length of pain
A day or two of aches and pains is normal after a minor spill. But if that knee pain has stretched out more than two weeks, take it seriously.

Decreased range of motion
When your knees aren’t straightening or bending the way they normally do, this limited range of motion calls for a specialist to check for issues such as arthritis or ligament tearing.

Snapping or popping sounds or sensations

Lumps or protrusions in the knee area

Stiffness and/or swelling
Watch out for issues like inflammation, redness and tenderness in the knee area.

Normal activities become a challenge
You’ve followed the “RICE” treatments and other home methods for a simple injury, but after two weeks you’re still finding walking, getting out of the car and other simple maneuvers to be difficult.

Feeling like your knee is “giving out”
A sensation of your knee being unstable in general, or that it suddenly gives way, often indicates an injury such as an ACL tear. These require professional evaluation and treatment.

How to Prepare Before Seeing a Specialist for Knee Pain

Nervous about following through with your appointment once you’ve arranged it? That’s only natural! Many people worry about getting a diagnosis they won’t like, as well as the exam and treatment being painful. That is why preparing to get most out of your doctor visit is important.

But knowing what you can expect here at Mississippi Sports Medicine can help you be less nervous. After all, you’re taking the first steps to feeling better!

To better prepare for your visit, consider the following:

Keep a brief journal of your symptoms – when they occurred and what you were doing at the time; whether the pain was sharp or dull; the exact location in your knee joint area; etc.

Write down any questions you might have, such as treatment options and concerns about drug interactions.

Put together your medical information, whether you’re using physical records or needing to update your online information.

Make sure you wear loose clothing, so that the specialist can access your knee joint and lower leg.

Visiting a Sports Medicine Doctor in Mississippi

When you visit our team at Mississippi Sports Medicine, your visit with one of our knee specialists will typically involve a consultation and exam, advanced imaging and diagnostics, and a recommendation for your personalized treatment plan.

The first part of your evaluation will involve a member of our dedicated team simply going over your medical history with you. Then you’ll discuss your current concerns involving your knee.

Next, the specialist will gently move your knee and ask you to perform some simple movements. This will determine what your current range of motion is, as well as which motions cause pain or weakness.

Depending on the results of the physical examination, your knee specialist may recommend an imaging test. Mississippi Sports Medicine’s state-of-the-art facility has X-ray, CT scan, and MRI equipment on site to accommodate a range of advanced diagnostic needs.

After your evaluation is completed, our team will customize a treatment plan to help address the condition or injury that’s been causing your knee pain. We can provide you with physical therapy, injections and/or prescription relief.

If more aggressive treatment is required, your Mississippi Sports Medicine specialist might recommend a surgical option. These days, there are various minimally invasive procedures that provide relief, including arthroscopy. Robotic-assisted joint replacement is an additional modern technique that works wonders.

Why Choose Mississippi Sports Medicine?

Knee injuries and chronic conditions concerning the knee joint are taken seriously at Mississippi Sports Medicine. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of evaluation and treatment for these and other orthopedic issues.

Our specialists provide a complete range of services, starting with cutting-edge technology to diagnose knee pain. From there, we can provide a range of treatment options, including Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and minimally invasive surgery.

In the rare case that requires more aggressive surgical treatment, we’ll provide those recommendations and be here to help you through the recovery process.

Don’t let chronic pain be something you “just have to put up with.” Swelling and stiffness, discomfort and instability don’t have to be your new realities.

Don’t wait – schedule a consultation with Mississippi Sports Medicine today!  We’ll be with you every step of the way on your recovery journey.