Knee Conditions

Is it Acute or Chronic?

Acute means it happened Suddenly and Chronic means it Progressed over time.

Acute

• Fractures: a broken bone in the knee
• Ligament injuries: such as ACL tear or MCL tear
• Sprain: Soft tissue injury of the knee
• Acute Gout: a type of Arthritis caused by a Buildup of Uric Acid Crystals in the joints.

Chronic

There are a variety of Chronic Knee pain causes, including past injury and underlying Pathology, Overuse, and Conditions such as Arthritis. Some common causes of knee pain include:

• Osteoarthritis. This is a degenerative condition. The Cartilage that Cushions the joints wears down. Knee Osteoarthritis is the most common type of Osteoarthritis. It can either be Primary (Idiopathic/ Age-related) or Secondary (a result of previous knee injury or other knee pathology).
• Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is an Autoimmune disease that results in Inflammation of the joints.
• Bursitis. This is caused by inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between Bones, Tendons, and Muscles.
• Tendinitis. This is a result of Inflammation of the tendons that attach Muscle to bone.
• Meniscus Tear. There is a tear in the Meniscus that cushions the knee.

Diagnosis

See Dr NM van der Berg, an Orthopaedic Surgeon, if you have knee pain, to identify the specific cause of the knee pain. This can be done by History, Examination, and Imaging to determine the cause and an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment plans range from Non-Surgical to surgical options. With Dr NM van der Berg, we opt for Non-Surgical options, unless Surgery is required. This is discussed in depth with the patient, allowing the patient to make an informed decision.

If knee surgery is required. The cause of the knee pain and severity will determine the type of knee surgery. 

Treatment

These symptoms can be Progressive and Worsen over time if the underlying condition is not treated. It is important to see Dr NM van der Berg, an Orthopaedic Surgeon, if you experience any of these symptoms.  He will create a Customized Treatment Plan based on your Specific Needs as his patient. Treatment options vary depending on the Cause and the Severity of the condition. It can range from a Steroid Injection into the joint, Oral Medication and Physiotherapy, or Surgery for severe cases.

Some of the Surgeries Dr NM van der Berg performs:

• Arthroscopy
• Knee Replacement Surgery / Arthroplasty
• Ligament Reconstruction
• Osteotomy
• Synovectomy 

It is important not to delay in seeking help from Dr NM van der Berg, Orthopedic Surgeon for several reasons:

1. Early diagnosis and treatment
   • This can prevent the condition from getting worse.
     • For example, if a knee pain is caused by a small tear in a ligament or cartilage, it can be repaired, preventing a larger tear.

• • This can prevent the development of other complications.
    • • For example, if a knee problem is caused by osteoarthritis, early treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of developing other problems such as stiffness and muscle weakness

• • Improved outcome and a faster recovery. The earlier a problem is diagnosed and treated, may make a huge difference to the prognosis (patient outcome)

• • In some cases delay in seeking medical attention can lead to permanent damage and make the treatment options limited.

• • Early diagnosis and treatment may help to prevent the need for more invasive and complex procedures in the future.

• • It’s important to note that, delaying or avoiding treatment can lead to more Serious Complications and thus, it may be harder to recover or the outcome won’t be as good. 

If you are experiencing knee pain, make an appointment with Dr NM van der Berg, an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

It is important to see Dr NM van der Berg, an Orthopaedic Surgeon, if you are experiencing Persistent or Severe pain in the ankle, as this may indicate a more Serious underlying condition that requires prompt Evaluation and Treatment. These conditions can worsen over time as a result of Repeated stress, Overuse, or Injury and can lead to Long-Term pain, Instability, and Limited Mobility if left untreated. Don’t compromise in the quality of your life.