Your Trusted Knee Pain and Prevention Experts In South Dakota
What is Knee Pain
Knee osteoarthritis is a joint disease that occurs when cartilage within the knee joint wears down over time leading to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Cartilage, and the joint fluid inside the knee, help to maintain normal movement. When the cartilage wears down, the knee bones can rub together causing pain and difficulty moving.
Knee osteoarthritis is a very common condition affecting millions of adults. There are many options to treat knee pain, which typically involves a team of experts including primary care physicians (PCP), orthopedic surgeons, vascular specialists, and physical therapists.
At Black Hills Heart and Vascular, we can work with your care team to provide state of the art minimally invasive treatment to improve your mobility and quality of life without major surgery.
Symptoms of Knee Pain
The most common symptom of knee osteoarthritis is pain. Other symptoms include:
- Stiffness, especially after prolonged standing or sitting, or physical activity
- Swelling, inflammation
- Decreased range of motion
- Popping or cracking noises
- Weakness or instability of the knee joint
- Bone spurs around the knee joint
Risk Factors of Knee Pain
The main risk factor is age. As we age, the cartilage inside our knees can wear down leading to joint pain and arthritis.
Gender
Occupation requiring Knee movement
inactive lifestyle or obesity
Inflammatory diseases
Prior Knee surgery or injury
Family History of knee arthritis
Diagnosis of Knee Pain
Knee osteoarthritis is diagnosed by asking you about your symptoms, performing a physical examination, and using imaging tests such as X-ray and MRI.
Treatment of Knee Pain
To prevent further pain and joint damage, making lifestyle changes can be extremely important. Maintaining a normal weight, exercising, and avoiding activities that put additional strain on the knee is important. At Black Hills Heart & Vascular Institute, our physicians specialize in:
This class of medication improves blood flow to the heart by relaxing blood vessels, a process called vasodilatation.
This class of medication slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
Help relax blood vessels, and aid in repair of blood vessel damage. They also help lower bad cholesterol levels.
Our team of vascular specialists can work with your team of doctors to provide the best, minimally invasive treatments to relieve your pain and keep you moving!
Geniculate Artery Embolization
A minimally invasive outpatient procedure wherein tiny particles are injected into the small genicular arteries that supply the knee joint, reducing inflammation and providing long-lasting pain relief.
Experienced Care for Knee Pain Symptoms in the Black Hills
If you are experiencing knee pain, stiffness, or swelling please call Black Hills Heart and Vascular at (605) 503-8192 to schedule a consultation. Our vascular experts can work with your healthcare team to find a solution that works for you.
