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  1. UAMS Health
  2. Conditions
  3. Knee Pain

Condition: Knee Pain

Your knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have knee problems. Knee problems can cause pain and difficulty walking.

Knee problems are very common, and they occur in people of all ages. Knee problems can interfere with many things, from participation in sports to simply getting up from a chair and walking. This can have a big impact on your life.

The most common disease affecting the knee is osteoarthritis. The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away, causing pain and swelling.

Injuries to ligaments and tendons also cause knee problems. A common injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You usually injure your ACL by a sudden twisting motion. ACL and other knee injuries are common sports injuries.

Treatment of knee problems depends on the cause. In some cases your doctor may recommend knee replacement.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/kneeinjuriesanddisorders.html?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Pain

What is pain?

Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Each person feels pain differently, even if the reason for the pain is the same. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may be mild or severe. Pain may come and go, or it may be constant. You may feel pain in one area of your body, such as your back, abdomen, chest, or pelvis, or you may feel it all over.

Pain can help alert you that there is a problem. If you never felt pain, you might seriously hurt yourself without knowing it, or you might not realize you have a medical problem that needs treatment. Finding out what's causing your pain will help your health care provider determine the best way to manage or treat it.

What are the types of pain?

Patterns and types of pain are named based on how long and how often you have pain. These include:

  • Acute pain usually happens suddenly because of a disease, injury, or inflammation (irritation, redness, and/or swelling). This type of pain is often sharp and acts as a warning that something is wrong. It usually goes away when the cause is treated or healed, though sometimes it can turn into chronic pain. Some examples of causes of acute pain include broken bones or dental issues.
  • Chronic pain lasts for longer than three months or the time in which you should have healed. It can affect all aspects of daily life, including your mood and relationships. Some conditions that might cause chronic pain include arthritis or back problems.
  • Episodic pain can happen from time to time and may occur with long-term medical conditions. Some conditions that might cause episodic pain include sickle cell disease or chronic migraines.

Pain may also be categorized by what is likely to be the cause of the pain. Pain may be described as nociceptive (caused by tissue damage or inflammation), neuropathic (caused by nerve damage), or nociplastic (caused by changes in how your nervous system processes pain).

What causes pain?

Understanding what causes pain and why people feel it differently may be difficult. Often, it's easier to find the cause of acute pain due to an injury than the cause of chronic pain, or you may have an ongoing cause of pain, such as cancer.

In some cases, there is no clear cause. Environmental factors and psychological factors such as stress and beliefs about pain may affect the way you feel pain and respond to treatment.

How is pain diagnosed?

You are the only one who knows how your pain feels. Your provider can best measure your pain by how you report it. They may ask you:

  • Where is the pain in your body?
  • How long have you had the pain?
  • How does the pain feel, such as stinging, burning, or sharp?
  • How often do you have pain?
  • When do you feel pain, such as in the morning, evening, or all the time?
  • What relieves the pain?
  • How does pain affect your daily life?
  • Is the pain mild, moderate, or severe?
  • To rate the pain on a scale.

If the cause of your pain is unknown, your provider may also do a physical exam and order blood tests or other medical tests to help find the cause.

What are the treatments for pain?

Pain is not always curable, but there are many ways to manage and treat it. Treatment depends on the cause and type of pain. Treatments may include medicines, such as pain relievers. There are also non-drug treatments, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Depending on the cause of your pain and your symptoms, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes. These may include suggestions for:

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Adding exercise
  • Losing weight
  • Managing stress
  • Improving mental health

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine.

Syndicated Content Details:
Source URL: https://medlineplus.gov/pain.html?utm_source=mplusconnect&utm_medium=service
Source Agency: National Library of Medicine

Contents

  • Resources
  • Treatments & Procedures
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Areas of Expertise
  • Make an Appointment

Resources Related to Knee Pain

Success Story: Jerry Williamson (Article)

Jerry Williamson was referred to orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Stambough, who performed a total knee replacement, allowing him a better quality of life.

Read the Article

Meet Dr. Jeffrey Stambough, Fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Hip and Knee Surgeon (Video)

Dr. Jeffrey Stambough is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon at UAMS Health, specializing in hip and knee joint-related conditions.

Watch the Video

Dr. Jeffrey Stambough on Helping Hip or Knee Replacement Patients Get Back to Doing What They Love to Do (Video)

Dr. Jeffrey Stambough shares how hip and knee replacements can improve pain and restore function, helping patients get back to doing what they love to do.

Watch the Video

Dr. Jeffrey Stambough on What to Expect With Our High-quality Hip and Knee Joint Care (Video)

Dr. Jeffrey Stambough shares how UAMS hip and knee orthopaedics patients can expect patient-centered care like they've never experienced.

Watch the Video

Want to find more resources related to Knee Pain?

View the Full List

Treatments and Procedures Related to Knee Pain

UAMS Health providers perform and prescribe a broad range of treatments and procedures, some of which may not be listed below.

  • Knee Replacement Surgery
  • Physical Therapy

Providers Diagnosing or Treating Knee Pain

Note that every provider listed below may not perform or prescribe all treatments or procedures related to Knee Pain. Review each provider for availability.

Filter the Providers


C. Lowry Barnes, M.D.

C. Lowry Barnes, M.D. Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Lauren A. Byers, CNP

Lauren A. Byers, CNP Nurse Practitioner

View Profile
Tyler L. CarlLee, M.D.

Tyler L. CarlLee, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Paul M. Inclan, M.D.

Paul M. Inclan, M.D. Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Navin R. Kilambi, M.D.

Navin R. Kilambi, M.D. Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Simon C. Mears, M.D.

Simon C. Mears, M.D. Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Kathryn L. Nance, M.D.

Kathryn L. Nance, M.D. Sports Medicine Specialist

View Profile
Lawrence K. 'Larry' O'Malley II, M.D.

Lawrence K. "Larry" O'Malley II, M.D. Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Charles E. 'Chuck' Pearce Jr., M.D.

Charles E. "Chuck" Pearce Jr., M.D. Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Robert Bradley Reeves, M.D.

Robert Bradley Reeves, M.D. Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Jeffrey B. Stambough, M.D.

Jeffrey B. Stambough, M.D. Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Benjamin M. Stronach, M.D.

Benjamin M. Stronach, M.D. Adult Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgeon

View Profile
Ramon C. Ylanan, M.D.

Ramon C. Ylanan, M.D. Sports Medicine Specialist

View Profile

Locations Where Providers Treat Knee Pain

Note that the treatment of Knee Pain may not be performed at every location listed below. The list may include locations where the treatment plan is developed during and after a patient visit.

Filter the Locations


Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic in North Little Rock exterior

Orthopaedic and Spine Clinic in North Little Rock

4261 Stockton Drive
Stockton Medical Plaza
Suite 100
North Little Rock, AR 72117

Appointment Phone Numbers
501-526-1046
New Patients
501-526-5451
Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Clinic exterior

Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic in Fayetteville

201 W. Van Asche Loop
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Appointment Phone Number
479-966-4491
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Clinic in Lowell

Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic in Lowell

507 W. Monroe Ave.
Suite A
Lowell, AR 72745

Appointment Phone Number
479-334-7030
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Autumn Road Clinic

Orthopaedic Clinic on Autumn Road

600 Autumn Road
Little Rock, AR 72211

Appointment Phone Numbers
501-526-1046
New Patients
501-320-7776
Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
UAMS Orthopaedic Clinic, Colonel Glenn Road

Orthopaedic Clinic on Colonel Glenn

10815 Colonel Glenn Road
Suite 500
Little Rock, AR 72204

Appointment Phone Numbers
501-526-1046
New Patients
501-406-9201
Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
UAMS Orthopaedic Clinic on Shackleford

Orthopaedic Clinic on Shackleford

2 Shackleford West Blvd.
Little Rock, AR 72211

Appointment Phone Numbers
501-526-1046
New Patients
501-614-2663
Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
The exterior of the Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital

Specialty Clinic in the Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital (Part of the Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital)

801 Cottage Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
501-686-6067
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Exterior of Baptist-UAMS Ortho

UAMS Baptist Health Orthopaedic Clinic in Conway

625 United Drive
Baptist Health Medical Office Building
Suite 350
Conway, AR 72032

Appointment Phone Number
501-358-6792
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Areas of Expertise for Knee Pain

Senior Couple Climbing Hill On Hike Through Countryside

Hip and Knee Orthopaedics (Part of Orthopaedics)

UAMS Health Orthopaedics is renowned for its expertise in performing joint replacements and minimally invasive surgeries that involve the hip and knee.

View Area of Expertise

Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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