Knee Pain Specialist
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Blake Fenkell, D.O.
Orthopedic Surgeon & Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine located in Troy, MI
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of knee pain in adults over age 50 — but sports injuries and accidents can lead to knee pain at any age. At Blake Fenkell, the orthopedic surgery practice of skilled fellowship-trained physician Blake Fenkell, DO, in Troy, Michigan, the newest advanced strategies for knee pain relief are just a phone call away. Or, use the online appointment maker to arrange your consultation with Dr. Fenkell now.
Knee Pain Q&A
What causes knee pain?
Knee pain is common in everyone from the oldest adults to active young people. There are many reasons for knee pain, but the most common are:
- Meniscus tears: Cartilage injury in your knee’s shock absorbers
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears: Tear in the ligament in the front of your knee
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears: Tear in the ligament on the side of your knee
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears: Tear in the ligament in the back of your knee
- Patella (kneecap) dislocations: Kneecap shifts out of place
- Cartilage breakdown and loose bodies: Stray bits of cartilage or bone in the knee joint
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis): Wear-and-tear arthritis that destroys cartilage
- Quadricep/patellar tendon ruptures: Complete tendon tear above the kneecap
- Patellar tendonitis: Tendon inflammation or irritation above your kneecap
Whether it’s knee damage that built up over a lifetime or an injury that happened yesterday, you don’t have to live with knee pain. The first step is finding out exactly what’s causing your pain so you can get the fastest relief possible.
How is knee pain diagnosed?
Dr. Fenkell performs a complete medical history review and carefully palpates your knee to check for issues.
Your description of the pain is very helpful in identifying the underlying problem, so explain all of the details you can remember about how and when the pain occurs. Be sure to mention other issues that happen alongside your knee pain, such as a clicking sound or swelling that comes and goes.
Dr. Fenkell may request special tests, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasounds, to pinpoint the cause of your knee pain.
How is knee pain treated?
Dr. Fenkell treats knee pain using nonsurgical approaches whenever possible. Treatment usually includes short-term oral medication, physical therapy, bracing, activity changes, and weight loss if you struggle with your weight.
If initial treatment isn’t sufficient, Dr. Fenkell may recommend a longer-lasting solution, such as:
- Anesthetic injections
- Corticosteroid injections (or a corticosteroid/anesthetic blend)
- Precision medicine treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
- Hyaluronic acid injections
- Radiofrequency ablation procedure
These minimally invasive outpatient treatments can offer pain relief for several months, if not longer.
In some cases, the damage inside your knee joint may require surgical correction. Dr. Fenkell is a highly skilled surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive arthroscopic approaches to knee surgery. He uses the most up-to-date surgical strategies including cartilage restoration and advanced reconstructive approaches.
For the most severe cases of treatment-resistant knee osteoarthritis, particularly those that cause partial or complete disability, Dr. Fenkell may recommend joint replacement surgery.
To learn more about knee pain treatment, call Blake Fenkell, or book your appointment through online scheduling now.
