Knee Pain Specialist
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NEIL GHODADRA, M.D.
Sports Medicine Physician & Orthopedic Surgeon located in West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Your knees are large weight-bearing joints that help you walk, run, and climb stairs. The structure and function of your knees make them vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause knee pain. NEIL GHODADRA, M.D., in West Los Angeles, California, specializes in diagnosing and treating knee pain. Call the nearest Los Angeles area office or schedule an appointment online today.
Knee Pain Q & A
What is knee pain?
Knee pain includes any discomfort that affects your knee. The pain may range from a dull aching sensation that resolves within a day or two to severe pain that makes walking impossible.
Your knee is a large weight-bearing joint that endures a lot of stress on a daily basis, making it susceptible to pain. Though anyone can develop joint pain, athletes are especially vulnerable to knee pain and problems because of the amount of stress they place on their knees to play their sport.
Dr. Ghodadra specializes in sports medicine and provides expert care for knee pain in athletes and active individuals.
What causes knee pain?
Knee pain may develop from an acute injury, overuse, or an underlying medical condition. Common causes of knee pain include:
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries
- Meniscus tears
- Sprains and strains
- Dislocated kneecap
- Fractures
- Bursitis
- Iliotibial band syndrome
You may even develop knee pain from a problem that affects another weight-bearing joint, such as your ankles, hips, or back.
How is knee pain diagnosed?
When you visit Dr. Ghodadra with concerns about knee pain, he conducts a patient-focused exam to find the root cause of your discomfort. He asks detailed questions about your pain, including when it started, the type and location of your pain, and the activities that make it worse.
Dr. Ghodadra reviews your daily activities and medical history. He examines your knees, assessing mobility and strength, looking for areas of tenderness or immobility that might explain your symptoms.
To confirm or rule out the cause of your knee pain, Dr. Ghodadra may run diagnostic testing, such as blood work, X-rays, or an MRI.
How is knee pain treated?
Treatment for your knee pain depends on the cause, severity of symptoms, and your usual level of activity. No matter the cause of your knee pain, Dr. Ghodadra focuses on developing a plan that gets you back to doing the things you love.
Initially, he may recommend non-surgical treatments such as:
- Rest, ice, elevation, and compression (RICE)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Physical therapy
- Lubricating joint injections
- Splinting or bracing
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) therapy
If medical interventions fail to provide significant relief from your knee pain, Dr. Ghodadra may talk to you about surgery. He specializes in arthroscopic knee surgery to treat many knee problems, including ACL tears and meniscus tears.
He’s also an expert in cartilage restoration of the knee, joint preservation, and osteotomy, which involves shortening or lengthening bone to improve alignment.
Dr. Ghodadra also performs joint replacement surgery for severe knee arthritis.
Don’t let your knee pain keep you stuck on the bench. Call the office of NEIL GHODADRA, M.D., or schedule a consultation online today.
