Knee Pain Diagnosis

If your pain is sudden and acute, severe, or accompanied by fever, see a doctor immediately.

Depending on your insurance plan and procedures, you will probably need to visit your general practitioner to get a referral to an orthopedic specialist, preferably a knee specialist. You may wish to visit several specialists to confirm your knee pain diagnosis before you decide upon a method of treatment, especially any type of surgeries.

What To Tell Your Doctor

Some key facts to report to your doctor to help get a good diagnosis:

1. How the pain started: an accident, slowly progressed, etc.
2. When the pain began
3. How the pain has changed
4. The quality of the pain: sharp, dull, aching
5. Whether the pain is constant or comes and goes under certain conditions
6. What makes the pain better or worse: ice, heat, activity, rest

Risks and Complications

Even though some people may say it is "only an arthroscopic surgery", and we all see pro athletes who have knee surgery and return to their sport a short time later, knee surgery requires that you go under complete anesthesia, which always carries risks. 

Make sure before you undergo surgery that you understand the possibilities and statistics for complications, and that you have evaluated all the options that you might want to try before having any surgery.

Are There Non-Surgical Options for Knee Pain?

Yes, non-surgical options your doctor might recommend may include:

1. Physical therapy
2. Pool exercise programs 
3. Podiatrist and shoe evaluation
4. Posture evaluation
5. Waiting it out 
6. Medications 
7. Weight loss