Knee Joint Pain

Knee joint pain is a common condition at any age. Injury, arthritis, osteoarthritis and bone spurs are among the common causes of knee pain. The exact location and severity of your pain may vary, depending on the cause.

More people in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose Norton Orthopedic Institute for nonsurgical or surgical care for their knee joint pain than any other provider.

Treatment options range from physical therapy and medication to surgical repairs to partial or total knee replacement. Our skilled providers will listen to you and use their experience to recommend the best solution.

Seek treatment if you can’t walk or your knee feels unsteady, you have swelling or redness, or have a recent injury to the knee area.

Knee Pain Causes

ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear
Fracture in the knee bones, including the patella (kneecap)
Bursitis, tendinitis or arthritis, which cause inflammation or irritation of the ligaments, tendons and surrounding tissue of the knee joint
Loose body such as a piece of bone or cartilage floating in the joint space and preventing the joint from working correctly or causing irritation
Hip or foot pain causes you to change how you walk, which can stress the knee and cause pain

Knee Pain Treatment

A common knee sprain can respond well to rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE), but some conditions may require more treatment or, as a last resort, surgery. Our fellowship-trained orthopedists will provide a customized treatment plan that starts with conservative, nonsurgical approaches when appropriate.

Your diagnosis typically will include an examination of your knee to locate the source of the pain, swelling, tenderness or visible signs of your knee issue. Checking how far you can move the leg comfortably also provides valuable information.

Imaging tests such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide detailed insight into your condition.

Typical nonsurgical treatments for knee pain treatments include:

Addressing the underlying cause of the pain, such as arthritis
Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee
Injections such as corticosteroids.

Surgery may be an option, especially if the joint is badly damaged or all other treatments have been considered or tried.

Your orthopedist may use arthroscopy to insert a tiny camera into your knee to more precisely diagnose the condition and perhaps treat it at the same time. This minimally invasive procedure allows the orthopedist to trim damaged cartilage, remove loose debris, irrigate the inside of the knee and even reconstruct a damaged ligament such as the ACL — a common injury.
Either the top of the shinbone or the bottom of the thighbone is cut and reshaped to shift weight off the side of the joint damaged by arthritis.
Partial knee replacement. The surgeon removes either the inside or outside of the knee joint and replaces it with artificial parts.
Total knee replacement. The surgeon will replace the ends of the femur (both inside and outside parts of the joint) and tibia with metal and plastic pieces. The surgeon may place a plastic button on the back of the kneecap to replace worn-out cartilage.

Care That’s Focused on You

Minimally invasive procedures can have you home quickly with less pain and faster recovery.
Sophisticated pain management aims to keep you comfortable and safe.
We have a deep commitment to getting you moving again and managing your pain so you can keep up with your physical therapy.
With 30 orthopedic locations in Louisville, Southern Indiana and surrounding communities, we have specialists near you.
Communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more, anytime, from a computer or mobile device with a free MyNortonChart account.

About Norton Orthopedic Institute

Norton Orthopedic Institute has more orthopedic specialists caring for more patients than any other health care provider in Louisville, Kentucky, or in Southern Indiana.

We have more than 50 providers, including board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons at 30 locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana.
We offer same-day appointments.
The Norton Orthopedic Institute hip and knee replacement program has been certified as a center of excellence by DNV GL Healthcare USA as meeting guidelines of the American College of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
Our hip replacement specialists are pioneers in minimally invasive surgeries focused on minimizing pain and recovery time.
State-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical techniques improve precision for a more natural-feeling knee replacement to get you moving again.
Participate in online seminars from home to learn what to expect before, during and after a hip or knee replacement.
We have sports medicine specialists who understand the stresses on an athlete’s body and have the expertise to provide the right treatment for your injury.