Knee pain is a debilitating condition that can affect your ability to perform many daily tasks, such as walking, running, climbing stairs, and even standing for a long period of time. While it is a common complaint among people of all ages, it is especially troublesome for seniors and athletes.
Injuries, overuse, and degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis are the most common causes of knee pain. While many cases of knee pain can be managed with at-home measures, others require the expertise of a knee doctor. A knee doctor, or an orthopedic doctor, is a medical doctor who is specialized in diagnosing and treating a full range of knee conditions and injuries, from minor to complex.
Let’s discuss some signs that indicate your need to see a knee doctor, what you can expect during an appointment with a knee doctor, what you should look for in a knee doctor, and where you can find the best knee doctor in Florida.
Signs That Indicate Need to See a Knee Doctor
Seeing a knee doctor is the best choice if you have
- A long-standing knee pain that does not get better with at-home measures and over-the-counter medications
- Swelling around the knee joint
- Redness around the knee joint
- Stiffness in the knee joint
- Cracking or popping sound when you move your knee
- Difficulty bearing weight on your knee
- Knee instability or wobbly feeling in the knee
- Deformity in the kneecap or knee joint
- Decreased range of motion
- A knee injury
What Can You Expect fromaKnee Doctor?
Whether you’re an athlete, an active person, or a senior citizen, a knee doctor can help you find relief and improve your quality of life. They determine the cause of your knee pain and other symptoms by taking your medical history, performing physical exams, and ordering diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scans, etc.
Then, based on the cause of your knee pain, they develop a treatment plan, which may include a combination of nonsurgical treatments like bracing, medications, physical therapy, or a surgical intervention like ligament repair surgery or knee replacement.
Knee doctors also set up follow-up appointmentsto monitor patients’ progress and adjust treatment.
What to Look for in aKnee Doctor?
When looking for a knee doctor or orthopedic specialist, consider the following factors to find a doctor who is well-suited to your needs:
- Board-certification
- Experience of the knee doctor
- Communication skills
- Technology and equipment at practice
- Patient reviews and referrals
- Insurance coverage
Knee Doctor in Florida
If you have any of the above telltale signs of knee problems, seeing a knee doctor is right for you. At Total Orthopaedic Care in Pembroke Pines and Lauderdale Lakes, we have a team of orthopedic doctors who are committed to providing you with advanced, individualized, and comprehensive orthopedic care for your knee issues and injuries. Our orthopedic doctors review your symptoms, take your medical history, and order diagnostics tests to reach the source of the pain and develop the right treatment plan.
If you would like to set up a consultation with one of our orthopedic doctors, call us today at (954) 735-3535 or use our convenient online appointment request form.