Our legs must bear our entire weight, so wear and tear on their joints is inevitable, and spotting the signs that we might need knee specialists is essential. Although the ancient Greeks and Romans were adept at treating fractures and correcting spinal deformities in children, it took centuries for orthopaedics to gain recognition as a bona fide medical discipline. However, despite the late start, advances in this field have been rapid and particularly impressive.
As kids, we enjoyed hopping, skipping, jumping and running around the school playground, and in our teenage years, many of us engaged in strenuous sports like rugby, soccer, athletics and gymnastics. During that time, some of us likely experienced the first joint injury to need treatment by an orthopaedic surgeon.
As we grow older and heavier, our joints become more prone to injury as support from their soft tissues slowly declines. Today, people are living longer than previous generations, and combined with the worrying increase in obesity, the need for knee specialists has never been greater. The trend prompts a question. How does one recognise they might need help from knee surgeons?
Warning Signs That Indicate the Need for Knee Specialists
Most people experience painful and swollen joints at some stage, and often, a cold compress, some paracetamol and rest will be enough to have them back on their feet in a day or two. However, when the pain persists and, perhaps, worsens, this could be a sign of a problem that requires professional help. When combined with painful, swollen knees, the following symptoms are signs it’s time to look for knee surgeons:
- Your knee is red and warm to the touch.
- You hear popping or crunching sounds when walking or bending your knee.
- You can’t bear to put weight on your knee, and it sometimes gives out.
- You cannot fully extend or flex your knee.
- You are feverish.
- Knee pain is disturbing your sleep.
- Your pain is the result of a knee injury.
Any of these symptoms justifies visiting a GP who will assess them and refer you to one of South Africa’s knee specialists if indicated.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain most often results from injuries, types of arthritis or mechanical issues. Typical injuries include a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of four that secures the connection between the femur and the tibia. Tears to the meniscus, crescent-shaped discs that act as the knee’s shock absorbers, are another example.
Other injuries that require the help of knee surgeons are fractures, bursitis, and patellar tendinitis, while dislocations and loose bone fragments in the synovial fluid following injury are common mechanical problems. However, one type of arthritis is the most common reason to perform arthroplasty, a procedure to replace the damaged joint with a prosthesis.
While rheumatoid arthritis and gout can take their toll on our joints, osteoarthritis is the most common reason patients seek help from knee specialists. Once palliative efforts fail, permanent disability or knee replacement surgery are the only options.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact the Wilgers Life Orthopaedic Unit in Pretoria and let Dr Jan De Vos provide the expert treatment that has given new life to patients with knee pain worldwide.
