Knee Pain Treatment in Montville, NJ

What Is Knee Pain?

Knee pain is discomfort in or around the knee joint, where the thigh bone, shin bone and kneecap meet. Cartilage cushions the ends of the bones, ligaments hold the joint steady, tendons attach the thigh and shin muscles, and small fluid-filled sacs called bursae help everything glide. A problem with any one of these can cause pain, and because the knee carries your weight with every step, even a mild problem is hard to ignore.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain can start suddenly after a twist or fall, or build slowly over months.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Over time, the cartilage that cushions the joint can wear thin, leading to pain, stiffness and swelling that often worsen with activity. It is one of the most common reasons adults develop knee pain. Read more about arthritis treatment.

Tendonitis

Irritation of the tendons around the knee, such as the patellar tendon below the kneecap, often follows running, jumping or a sudden increase in activity. See tendonitis treatment.

Bursitis

An inflamed bursa can cause tender swelling over the front of the kneecap or on the inner side of the knee, especially after kneeling or overuse.

Ligament and Cartilage Injuries

Twisting or pivoting can sprain a ligament or tear the meniscus, the rubbery cartilage inside the knee. These injuries may cause swelling, catching or a feeling that the knee could give way.

Muscle Tightness

Tight, tender knots in the thigh muscles, called trigger points, can add to aching around the knee and make movement feel stiff.

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Knee Pain Symptoms

Initial Symptoms Include:

• Aching with stairs, squatting or getting up from a chair
• Stiffness first thing in the morning or after sitting
• Tenderness around the kneecap or along the joint

Over Time, Additional Symptoms Include:

• Swelling that comes and goes
• Clicking, grinding or catching
• A knee that feels weak or unstable
• Pain that interrupts sleep or limits walking

When to See a Doctor

Make an appointment if knee pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or stops you from walking, working or sleeping comfortably.

Seek urgent or emergency care if:

• You cannot put weight on the leg after an injury, or the knee looks deformed
• The knee is hot, red and swollen and you have a fever, which can be a sign of infection
• The knee swells quickly after a fall or twist, or locks and will not straighten
• Your calf is swollen, warm and painful, which can be a sign of a blood clot

Why Choose Dr. D’Alessio for Knee Pain

• Physician-Led Care
  Dr. Donna D’Alessio is board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, a medical specialty focused on restoring movement and function for people with muscle, joint and nerve conditions.
• A Plan Built Around the Cause
  Knee pain from arthritis, a tendon or a bursa is treated differently, so the first step is finding out which one you have.
• Close to Home
  Our office is on Main Road in Towaco, in Montville Township, and is convenient for patients from Lincoln Park, Boonton and Parsippany.

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How Dr. D’Alessio Evaluates Knee Pain

Your visit starts with a conversation: when the pain began, what you were doing, where it hurts, what makes it better or worse, and what you have already tried. Dr. D’Alessio then examines the knee, checking for swelling and tenderness and looking at range of motion, strength and stability. Because the hip and lower back can send pain into the knee, she may examine those as well. If she needs more information before recommending treatment, she will explain what and why.

Knee Pain Treatment Options in Montville, NJ

Treatment depends on the cause of your pain, your health history and your goals. Non-surgical options offered through our pain management practice include:

Joint and Bursa Injections

Ultrasound-guided joint injections place medication precisely inside the knee. A steroid injection may calm inflammation in an arthritic joint, and an ultrasound-guided bursa injection can target an inflamed bursa directly.

ORTHOVISC Hyaluronic Acid Injections

For knee osteoarthritis, ORTHOVISC® hyaluronic acid injections add a lubricating gel to the joint and may ease pain and improve movement.

PRP Joint Injections

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses platelets concentrated from a small sample of your own blood. It may help relieve pain from knee arthritis and tendon problems.

Trigger Point Injections and Massage Therapy

When tight thigh muscles add to knee pain, trigger point injections and massage therapy can relieve muscle tension and may make movement easier.

What to Expect

Most injections take place during a short office visit, and many patients return to their usual routine soon afterwards. Some soreness, bruising or swelling where the needle went in is common and usually settles. You will receive aftercare instructions for your treatment, and some treatments, such as PRP, may be given as a series. Relief varies from person to person, and Dr. D’Alessio will tell you what is realistic for your knee.

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Interested in Finding Out More?

If knee pain is keeping you from the walks, stairs or activities you enjoy, our team in Montville is here to help.

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