KNEE PAIN DOCTORS IN CHICAGO

What is Knee Pain?

To determine whether you need to visit a knee pain doctor, it’s important to recognize key symptoms. Here are a few signs to look out for:

• Pain and discomfort: The most common symptom is pain. This can range anywhere from a dull ache to a sharp, throbbing pain. Oftentimes, pain is worsened by certain activities (such as going up stairs or walking quickly).

• Swelling: In addition to pain, look out for any swelling or stiffness. You’re more likely to experience swollen knees after periods of inactivity.

• Unusual noises: Pay attention to any strange noises or feelings when moving your knees. These may include popping, clicking and grinding.

• Inflammation: Inflammation may make your knees red and warm to the touch. In some cases, it can also cause discomfort and pain.

• Instability: Knee pain is often linked to instability and weakness, which makes it difficult to walk and put weight on the knee.

• Limited mobility: Some knee pain conditions can cause mobility problems. For example, you might struggle to bend your knee or fully straighten your leg.

What Causes Knee Pain?

From injuries to general wear and tear, there are many possible causes of knee pain. Here are some of the most common reasons that people experience pain:

• Age-related changes: As you age, your risk of knee pain increases. Those over the age of 50 are more likely to experience osteoarthritis, a condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in your knee. This age group also has a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes chronic joint inflammation.

• Injuries: There are many injuries that impact the knees, including ligament and tendon injuries, fractures and meniscus tears. Certain sports, such as football, basketball and running, increase the risk of knee injury.

• Medical conditions: Several medical conditions can cause knee pain. Examples include osteoarthritis, obesity, Osgood-Schlatter disease and venous insufficiency.

• Overuse: Did you know that it’s possible to overuse your knee? Placing excessive pressure on the knees can cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Overuse commonly impacts athletes who repeatedly bend or place stress on the knees, such as runners and cyclists.

Where Is Your Knee Pain Located?

The area in which your knee pain is located plays a major role in diagnosis and treatment. By carefully analyzing the exact location, you can better determine the underlying cause and how to relieve pain. Here are some common knee pain locations and associated conditions:

• Anterior (front of the knee): Pain that’s located in the front of the knee, or around the kneecap, is often linked to overuse or sports (such as jumping and running).

• Medial (inside the knee): If your pain is inside the knee, it’s likely caused by an interior injury, such as a meniscus tear or ligament injury. Medial pain can also be caused by osteoarthritis and the breakdown of cartilage.

• Posterior (back of the knee): When pain is centered in the back of the knee, it’s usually caused by arthritis. This can encourage the formation of Baker’s cysts, which are fluid-filled cysts that cause pain and swelling.

• Lateral (outside the knee): Lateral pain impacts the external sides of your knee. Oftentimes, this type of pain is caused by injuries.

What Knee Pain Conditions Do We Treat?

From elite athletes to seniors, to everyone in between, we provide effective knee pain treatments ranging from common sports injuries to chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis. Regardless of the situation MAPS is a knee pain clinic that can provide healing relief to anyone. The knee is a rotary joint – while it supports our body weight and offers a dynamic range of motion, this also makes it susceptible to injuries, and wear and tear as we age. Some of the common knee pain symptoms we treat include:

• Bone-on-Bone Pain

• Osteoarthritis of the Knee

• Obesity-Related Knee Pain

• Torn ACL

• Bone Spurs

• Degeneration of the Knee Cartilage

• Muscle Weakness

• Overuse from Exercise

• Knee Bursitis

• Scar Tissue in the Knee

“I thought I was going to be in a wheelchair, but now I can walk.”

Knee Pain Diagnosis

If you’re struggling with knee pain, help is available. At MAPS Centers for Pain Control, we offer a team of double-board certified doctors who are highly experienced in the field. Whether your pain is the result of an injury, a medical condition or general wear and tear, our knee doctors in Chicago will help you overcome it.

We’ll start by conducting a consultation to learn more about your condition, including your medical history, symptoms and the location of your pain. By gaining a comprehensive overview of your knee pain, we can achieve an accurate diagnosis and ensure high-quality, effective treatment. With every patient, we promise compassionate, individualized care that addresses the underlying cause (as opposed to just masking symptoms). No matter what you’re experiencing, you can rest assured that we’ll devise a personalized plan tailored to your unique knee pain condition.

What Knee Pain Treatments Do We Offer?

At MAPS, our double-board certified pain physicians acknowledge and recognize that each patient’s condition is as unique as they are which helps make MAPS the best knee pain treatment in Chicago. Upon the first visit, a patient will undergo a comprehensive exam with one of our physicians to discuss their symptoms and conditions, as well as medical history and history of previous treatment.

Our 5-week system for treating knee pain has helped thousands of patients find long-term relief from the pain without resorting to surgery. Our program can be repeated every six to twelve months, with most of our patients reporting decreased pain levels with each treatment completed. Our dedication to individualized care and customized treatments is why MAPS stands out as a premier knee pain clinic, consistently delivering excellent results for our patients.

Genicular Nerve Ablation

Genicular nerve ablation uses radiofrequency energy, or heat, to disable nerves around the knee and prevent them from sending pain signals to the brain.

Injection-Based Therapy

Many patients respond positively to our injection-based treatments which offer the benefit of rapid pain relief as well as the benefits of being non-surgical. They also help to stimulate the growth of cells in the areas they are injected in, enabling the body’s own healing process. These may include:

• Hyaluronic Acid Injections – a naturally occurring substance in the body, this lubricant helps to relieve pain while promoting the growth of damaged cells in the knee.

• Growth Factor Injections – an innovative new area of medicine where the injections harness the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

• Steroidal-Based Injections – for rapid pain relief.

Physical Therapy

While programs can vary, they often include exercises such as stretches, balance training and strength training. Programs may become more challenging as knee pain improves.

Cryoneurolysis

Cryoneurolysis is an innovative medical technique that harnesses freezing cold temperatures to relieve knee pain. First, a small probe is inserted near the nerves around the knee. Once in place, the probe delivers bursts of extreme cold to freeze nerves and prevent them from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Not only does this treatment relieve pain, but it also promotes joint strength and stability.

Bracing & Supports

Bracing gives stability to the knee by placing your weight off of the damaged portion of the knee. It also allows the wearer to move more comfortably and engage in light activities that reinforce balance and strengthens the knee area.

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