Treating a Knee Injury

06 October, 2016

Health

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Knee injuries are very common among people who regularly train or take part in sport, but this is no comfort to someone putting up with the pain and discomfort of a sprain or torn ligament. The good news is that there are lots of effective treatments available for knee injuries of all kinds, so you shouldn’t be out of action for too long.

Diagnosing a knee injury

If you’ve been experiencing pain, twinges or discomfort in one of your knees, these are obvious signs that something is not quite right. If you continue training and working out on a possibly injured knee, you could cause a more serious injury to occur and the damage could take longer to repair. This is why you should consult a medical professional at the first sign of trouble, and never, ever ignore the problem.

The first tests your doctor will carry out will include a physical examination, pressing gently around your knee to feel for fluid and to enquire about the type and location of the pain. They’ll also ask how the injury occurred and move your leg into different positions to assess exactly what’s wrong. The next step is to send you for a scan, either an MRI scan, X-ray or CT scan depending on what your doctor suspects is causing the pain. Knee arthroscopy may even be required, which involves using a tiny camera to assess damage to the cartilage, meniscus or ligament.

How private orthopedics can help

Knee injuries can sometimes be a little more complicated and difficult to diagnose or treat than they first appear. Rather than having to go for several scans (sometimes weeks apart) or be passed around different departments, some people prefer to book private orthopedics appointments so that they can receive specialist attention. This can save a lot of time and discomfort, which is particularly useful for serious athletes and those who have training and fitness regimes they’re eager to get back to.

MRI scans and X-rays can be done and the results produced in the same day, so the problem can be diagnosed far quicker. Private orthopaedics facilities also have experts in treating a wide range of knee injuries, from sports injuries involving torn or sprained ligaments to more serious problems such as those requiring knee replacements. Another benefit is aftercare, as private facilities also offer extensive physiotherapy in the same facility as diagnosis and treatment, so again the patient doesn’t have to travel to yet another department to finish their treatment. All of this means that you and your injured knee can recover faster.

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About Paul Stainthorpe

Running has been part of my life since 2011. While growing up I hated running and would do anything to avoid it at school. Give me a ball and a racket any day. It’s funny how some things change. I run for good. In 2012 I ran the 12 Days of Christmas for the Percy Hedley Foundation. In 2013 I attempted (with friend Lee Nyland), the 12 parkruns of Christmas for the Tiny Lives Trust.