Knee Pain in Asheville, NC

The knee is one of the most common sites of pain. It is a weight-bearing joint, so in addition to all the wear-and-tear that happens from moving it every day, it also has the forces of body weight and gravity acting upon it. When structures in and around the knee—bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments—become damaged, the result is pain and sometimes even disability.

Knee pain has many potential sources. These can be:

• Knee osteoarthritis
• ACL injuries or injuries to other ligaments, instability
• Meniscus injuries
• Tendinitis and tendinosis

The knee is one of the more complicated joints. It involves three bones—the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (shin bone), and the patella (kneecap)—as well as a number of ligaments and tendons. Articular cartilage wraps the ends of the femur and tibia so they glide together smoothly, while pads of cartilage called menisci (singular meniscus) act as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia. Cartilage can also be found on the underside of the patella.

Major tendons that attach muscles in the area to bone include the patellar tendon and the quadriceps tendon. The knee also has a number of ligaments that connect the femur and tibia to each other. These include:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

Knee osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, sometimes known as wear-and-tear arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the articular cartilage of bones in a joint breaks down, eventually leading to painful joint fluid environment. These tiny fragments of worn off cartilage cause an irritating chemical reaction in the knee fluid of the joint, which can be a large source of the pain. This explains why a joint that isn’t “bone-on-bone” can be quite painful and why a “bone-on-bone” knee can sometimes not hurt.

The knee is one of the most common sites for osteoarthritis. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but its progression can be slowed. Traditionally, a total knee replacement was a patient’s only option for advanced knee osteoarthritis.

Meniscus tears: The menisci sit between the femur and tibia and act as a shock absorber for and secondary stabilizer of the knee. The meniscus can become torn due to age-related degeneration or trauma. Meniscus injuries are extremely common. Due to a lack of blood vessels in the area, the meniscus cannot easily heal itself. Surgery to remove these torn areas is commonly performed, but when arthritis is also present, this surgery often proves ineffective.

Ligament injuries: Four ligaments—ACL, PCL, LCL, and MCL—act as the primary stabilizers for the knee joint. ACL tears are a common source of knee pain, creating instability and preventing patients from engaging in rotational and side-to-side movement. ACL tears and other forms of ligament injuries can sometimes be treated without surgery, but full tears require a tissue graft to repair.

Tendinopathy: The quadriceps tendon, which attaches the quadriceps muscle to the kneecap, is the main tendon in the knee joint area. There is also the patellar tendon, but since it connects the kneecap to the tibia it is actually a ligament. Either or both of these tissues can become frayed and weakened through wear and tear, or torn by way of traumatic injury.

Knee pain can develop for various reasons, with some factors making it more likely to occur over time. Certain lifestyle choices, physical attributes, and types of daily activity may increase your risk of experiencing knee discomfort. Key risk factors for knee pain include:

• Aging: The natural wear and tear on knee joints as we get older can increase the likelihood of pain, particularly from conditions like osteoarthritis.
• Repetitive Movement: Jobs or activities that require frequent kneeling, bending, or lifting put added stress on the knees.
• High-Impact Sports: Sports involving running, jumping, or pivoting, such as basketball or soccer, increase stress on the knee joints and can contribute to injuries.
• Excess Body Weight: Extra weight places additional pressure on the knee joints, which can lead to cartilage breakdown and pain.
• Previous Knee Injuries: A history of knee injuries may increase susceptibility to future pain, especially if the joint didn't fully recover.
• Muscle Weakness: Weakness in the muscles supporting the knee can cause strain, as they're less able to absorb shock or maintain proper alignment.
• Certain Health Conditions: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout can affect knee joint health and lead to pain or inflammation.

Knee pain can stem from a variety of causes, whether it's a result of an injury, wear and tear, or natural aging. At Asheville Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Dr. Christie Lehman and her team use a multitude of tests and scans to pinpoint the source of your knee pain. Using physical examinations, x-rays, CT scans, blood work, and MRIs, Dr. Lehman can accurately determine what's causing your pain and prescribe a personalized treatment plan to address your knee pain.

Symptoms of knee pain can vary widely depending on the underlying cause but often include swelling, stiffness, and a decreased range of motion. You may experience a sharp or dull ache, and the knee might feel weak or unstable, making it difficult to bear weight. Common signs also include redness, warmth, and popping or crunching noises during movement. Persistent or severe knee pain should be evaluated by a member of our professional team at Asheville Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Nearly every form of traditional knee pain treatment, be it surgical or nonsurgical, has its problems. Some, such as corticosteroid injections, can be toxic to surrounding tissue. Others, such as ACL reconstruction and total knee replacement, are complex and invasive surgeries that require a long recovery. Some medications, including opioids, only treat symptoms rather than the root cause of knee pain and can be extremely addictive.

But what if there was another option? A nonsurgical approach that is safe, effective, and easy to recover from? Enter orthobiologic treatments using a person's own growth factors and cells, commonly referred to as cellular therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Each month, researchers produce more scientific evidence pointing to the viability of bone marrow and PRP for orthopedic pain conditions. What’s more, knee pain conditions are some of the most studied and most receptive in relation to this type of treatment.

ACL injuries: Traditionally, the only way to repair a torn ACL is through costly, invasive surgery. That may still be the most appropriate treatment option for some people, but with the advent of orthobiological treatment, there is another effective, less invasive option. Bone marrow injections have been shown in research to improve pain, function, and structural integrity in treating partial ACL tears.

Knee osteoarthritis: Knee osteoarthritis is a lifelong condition that may eventually require a total knee replacement. Conventional treatments focus on reducing pain but can carry complications. Both bone marrow and PRP have been shown in research to improve pain, function, swelling, and in some cases, increase articular cartilage thickness.

Tendinopathy: Treatment for tendinopathy is limited to pain- and inflammation-reducing medication and surgical repair. Corticosteroids, a powerful anti-inflammatory drug that can reduce pain, can actually increase the risk of a tendon rupture when used to treat tendinopathy by weakening the tissue. PRP and cells can both improve pain and quality of life without the risk of further tendon injury, according to research.

Meniscus injuries: Meniscus injuries, while common, can be difficult to treat due to a lack of blood supply. Researchers have found that PRP can increase the formation of new blood vessels in and near the meniscus, which can speed healing and reduce pain. The use of bone marrow has been shown in some studies to be effective in promoting meniscus regeneration as well.

If you are looking for an effective alternative to surgery for your painful knee condition, request an appointment with Asheville Regenerative Orthopedics. Through ultrasound-guided injections, Dr. Lehman can pinpoint the source of your knee pain and deliver safe, effective healing compounds from your own body.

Is there a chance I may need surgery to relieve my knee pain?
Here at Asheville Regenerative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we believe that traditional options to treat knee pain, such as reconstructive surgeries and anti-inflammatory injections are significantly riskier than are usually presented. With that in mind, we will make sure to exhaust every nonsurgical, regenerative treatment option possible before we think about recommending surgery as your best option.

Why are these regenerative treatments better than surgery?
Surgeries to address knee conditions can be onerous, expensive, and are usually associated with a lengthy recovery period where you can’t be as active as you’d like. On the other hand, PRP treatment options treat your pain and inflammation with your body’s cells and require a fraction of the downtime of surgeries. Furthermore, while surgery is typically considered a long-term solution, many studies have verified the long-term benefits of regenerative knee therapies like PRP.

Can I turn to regenerative solutions after having surgeries?
Absolutely. At our Asheville, NC facility, Dr. Lehman and our skilled team often see patients who had a less-than-ideal experience with orthopedic knee surgery and want to try a more natural treatment plan. Contact us today to learn more about regenerative treatments for knee pain and to set up a consultation.

At Asheville Regnerative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we know that knee pain, whether chronic or acute, can be frustrating and keep you from the activities you want to participate in and the day-to-day routine you want to maintain. We also know that the prospect of surgery can be frightening. That’s why we are committed to treating your knee ailments with a number of minimally invasive techniques and treatments can get you on the road to a pain-free life and more movement. To learn more, get in touch with our Asheville, NC practice today.