Orthopedic specialist explains treatment options for knee pain

By Angie Brown, Quinnipiac University Knee problems can hinder mobility and erode your quality of life. Witthaya Prasongsin/Moment via Getty Images Knee injuries are common in athletes, accounting for 41% of all athletic injuries. But knee injuries aren’t limited to competitive athletes. In our everyday lives, an accident or a quick movement in the wrong direction can injure the knee and require medical treatment. A quarter of the adult population worldwide experiences knee pain each year As a physical therapist and board-certified orthopedic specialist, I help patients of all ages with knee injuries and degenerative conditions. Your knees have a huge impact on your mobility and overall quality of life, so it’s important to prevent knee problems whenever possible and address pain in these joints with appropriate treatments. Healthy knees The knee joint bones consist of the femur, tibia and patella. As in all healthy joints, smooth cartilage covers the surfaces of the bones, forming the joints and allowing for controlled movement. A healthy knee. Inna Kharlamova/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Muscles, ligaments and tendons further support the knee joint. The anterior cruciate ligament, commonly known as the ACL, and posterior cruciate ligament, or PCL, provide internal stability to...