Orthopedics: Knee Problems That Require a Doctor

For most of us, orthopedics don’t enter our mind on a regular basis. Then you’re going along one day and you suddenly have a big problem. Maybe your elbow is out of whack. Maybe it’s your lower back. For many, it is their knees. The knees are subject to a lot of stress, even for those who lead normal lives. For those who are more athletically inclined or happen to be involved in pursuits that put extra stress or strain on the leg, knee problems can come on quickly and never let up. If you’ve been experiencing some problems, here are the pains that may require a physician’s care.

Knee problems that may require an orthopedics specialist could include anything that has been persisting for more than a few days. People are funny in that they usually like to see if things will heal up on their own before they see a doctor. Of course, this is only reinforced by the fact that they often do! The body is a remarkable self healer and, given time and rest, can take care of many minor problems all on its own. But when a few days have passed and you notice that the problem is not going away or is worsening, it’s time to go ahead and see someone about it. 

If you’ve sustained any kind of injury that is clearly causing deformity to occur around the knee joint, you need to see a doctor of orthopedics. This includes unusual swelling. You may need to have the fluid drained and you may have sustained a serious injury such as a broken kneecap or ruptured tendon. Rather than continue to make it worse by “working through the pain”, you should seek out the advice of a physician and make sure it isn’t even worse than it looks. Any sign of an infection should be a particularly pointed indicator to seek medical attention right away. This includes fever or redness or any unusual warmth in the area.

It goes without saying that specific orthopedics treatment for injured or hurt knees will vary considerably depending on the type and severity of the injury. You might only be expected to rest your knee or you could be in need of cortisone injections or surgery. Whatever the treatment might be, you’ll be better off knowing for sure by visiting a medical specialist. Don’t attempt to diagnose yourself online. Find a good physician and have it looked at. You’ll be glad you did, either way.