Knee & Joint Pain Treatment in Elyria, Ohio
Knee and joint pain can make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, working, exercising, or simply getting out of a chair difficult. Pain may develop gradually from arthritis or repetitive stress, or it can begin suddenly after a car accident, work injury, sports injury, or other trauma.
At Xcell Injury Care in Elyria, Ohio, we evaluate and treat knee pain, joint pain, stiffness, and other musculoskeletal conditions for patients in Elyria and surrounding Lorain County communities. Our integrated approach may include physical rehab, chiropractic care, therapeutic exercise, joint injections, and bracing, depending on your condition and individual needs.
What Causes Knee and Joint Pain?
Joint pain isn’t a single condition. It can affect the knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and other joints throughout the body.
Common causes of knee and joint pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Joint inflammation
- Muscle and tendon injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Cartilage and meniscus injuries
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Sports and exercise injuries
- Work-related injuries
- Car accident injuries
- Repetitive motion and overuse
- Age-related changes in the joints
Symptoms may range from occasional soreness to chronic pain that affects mobility, work, sleep, and everyday activities.
What Are Common Symptoms of Joint Problems?
Pain is only one sign that something may be affecting a joint.
You may also experience:
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Reduced range of motion
- Difficulty bending or straightening a joint
- Pain during movement
- Pain after periods of inactivity
- Weakness or instability
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sensations
- Difficulty walking, lifting, or performing everyday activities
If these symptoms persist or continue to return, an evaluation can help determine what’s causing them.
Knee Pain and Osteoarthritis
The knee is particularly vulnerable to pain because it absorbs significant force during walking, standing, climbing, lifting, and other everyday movements.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common cause of chronic knee pain. It occurs as cartilage within the joint gradually changes and breaks down over time.
Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis may include:
- Knee pain during or after activity
- Morning stiffness
- Swelling
- Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
- Reduced mobility
- Pain when climbing stairs
- Grinding or clicking sensations
- Difficulty walking or standing for extended periods
While osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, nonsurgical treatment options may help manage symptoms and improve function for some patients.
Nonsurgical Knee & Joint Pain Treatment in Elyria
Treatment for knee and joint pain depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, overall health, and how the condition affects your daily activities.
At Xcell Injury Care, treatment plans may combine multiple conservative approaches to address pain, mobility, strength, and function.
Joint Injections for Knee and Joint Pain
For certain types of arthritis and joint pain, a healthcare provider may recommend a joint injection.
Joint injections deliver medication or another therapeutic substance directly into or around the affected joint. Depending on the patient’s condition, options may include a local anesthetic, corticosteroid, or hyaluronic acid.
Injections may be considered for conditions involving:
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Joint inflammation
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Certain other painful joint conditions
The type of injection recommended depends on the diagnosis and the individual patient’s needs.
How Are Joint Injections Performed?
Depending on the procedure, ultrasound guidance may be used to help accurately position the needle in the treatment area.
Before recommending an injection, your healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, diagnosis, and previous treatments to determine whether a joint injection is appropriate.
What Can I Expect After a Joint Injection?
Your experience will depend on the type of injection performed. Temporary soreness or discomfort around the injection site may occur.
Your provider will explain what to expect, possible side effects, activity restrictions, and when you can return to normal activities.
Joint injections don’t necessarily correct the underlying cause of every joint condition. They may instead be used as one component of a broader treatment plan that can include physical rehab, therapeutic exercise, chiropractic care, and other conservative treatments.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Pain
For certain patients with knee osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid injections, also known as viscosupplementation, may be considered.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in joint fluid and contributes to lubrication within the knee. During treatment, hyaluronic acid is injected directly into the affected knee joint.
Whether this treatment is appropriate depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and response to previous treatments.
Physical Rehab for Knee & Joint Pain
When a joint hurts, people often begin moving differently to avoid the pain. Over time, this can contribute to weakness, stiffness, reduced mobility, and changes in movement.
Physical rehabilitation can be an important part of conservative knee and joint pain treatment.
Depending on your condition, physical rehab may focus on:
- Strengthening muscles surrounding the affected joint
- Improving flexibility
- Increasing range of motion
- Improving balance and stability
- Restoring functional movement
- Improving mobility
- Helping you safely return to everyday activities
Your physical rehab program should be customized around your condition, abilities, and recovery goals.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Joint Pain?
For certain musculoskeletal conditions, chiropractic care may complement physical rehab and other conservative treatments.
The body doesn’t move one joint at a time. Knee, hip, back, and other musculoskeletal problems can sometimes affect movement patterns throughout the body.
Depending on the cause of your symptoms, chiropractic care may be incorporated into an individualized treatment plan designed to improve mobility and overall musculoskeletal function.
Can Bracing Help With Knee and Joint Pain?
For certain conditions, a properly fitted knee or joint brace may provide additional support and stability.
However, not every brace is appropriate for every condition. The type of brace recommended should be based on your diagnosis, symptoms, activity level, and treatment goals.
An evaluation can help determine whether bracing should be incorporated into your treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee & Joint Pain
When should I see a healthcare provider for joint pain?
Consider scheduling an evaluation if joint pain persists, repeatedly returns, interferes with everyday activities, follows an injury, or is accompanied by swelling, weakness, instability, or limited movement.
Can arthritis cause pain in more than one joint?
Yes. Different types of arthritis can affect one or multiple joints. Osteoarthritis commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips but can occur in other joints as well.
Can knee and joint pain be treated without surgery?
Many musculoskeletal and arthritic joint conditions are initially managed with nonsurgical approaches. Depending on the diagnosis, options may include physical rehab, therapeutic exercise, activity modification, bracing, medications, chiropractic care, or joint injections.
Can physical rehab help chronic joint pain?
Physical rehab may help improve strength, flexibility, mobility, balance, and function for certain musculoskeletal and joint conditions.
Can a chiropractor help with knee and joint pain?
Chiropractic care may be appropriate as part of a conservative treatment plan for some musculoskeletal conditions. An evaluation can help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your particular symptoms.
Are joint injections only for knee pain?
No. Joint injections may be used for certain conditions affecting different joints. The appropriate treatment depends on which joint is affected and what is causing the pain.
Knee & Joint Pain Care in Elyria and Lorain County
Joint pain doesn’t have to automatically become your new normal.
Whether you’re experiencing knee pain, arthritis, stiffness, swelling, limited mobility, or joint pain following a car accident or workplace injury, identifying the cause is the first step toward determining which treatment options may help.
Xcell Injury Care in Elyria, Ohio provides integrated musculoskeletal and injury care for patients in Elyria and surrounding Lorain County communities. Depending on your condition, treatment may include physical rehab, chiropractic care, therapeutic exercise, joint injections, bracing, and other nonsurgical approaches.
Contact Xcell Injury Care today to schedule an evaluation for knee or joint pain and learn which treatment options may be appropriate for you.