Knee problems can make walking, using stairs, exercising, or working uncomfortable. Patients across Ocean and Monmouth Counties can turn to OIBortho for knee orthopaedic care for sports injuries, arthritis, cartilage and ligament damage, and advanced joint disease. Our team includes Atul F. Kamath, MD, MBA, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in hip and knee reconstruction, and Jason A. Nitche, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon whose clinical interests include ACL tears and meniscus injuries.
What Can Cause Knee Pain?
Pain may start suddenly after a fall, twist, collision, or awkward landing. It can also build gradually as the joint is stressed over time or cartilage wears down. Where it hurts, how symptoms began, and whether you notice swelling, catching, stiffness, or instability can help narrow down the cause.
Common possibilities include:
- Osteoarthritis: Knee osteoarthritis develops as cartilage within the joint breaks down. Stiffness, swelling, pain with activity, and reduced motion may become more noticeable over time.
- Meniscus tears: The meniscus can tear during a twisting movement or become more vulnerable to injury with age. Symptoms can include swelling, catching, locking, or trouble fully straightening the leg.
- ACL and other ligament injuries: Ligaments stabilize the joint. An ACL tear or another ligament injury can follow pivoting, changing direction, or a forceful impact and may leave the knee feeling unstable.
- Patellofemoral problems: Patellofemoral joint injuries can cause discomfort at the front of the knee, especially with stairs, squatting, or prolonged sitting.
- Tendinitis, sprains, and strains: Repetitive activity or sudden overload can irritate tendons or injure soft tissues around the joint.
Because these problems can feel similar, persistent or activity-limiting symptoms deserve a closer look.
How Do Our Knee Specialists Find the Cause?
Your visit starts with a discussion of when symptoms began and which movements make them worse. A physician may check tenderness, swelling, motion, strength, and stability. X-rays or other imaging may be recommended when they can clarify what is happening inside the joint.
How Is Knee Pain Treated?
Treatment depends on the diagnosis, severity, and how symptoms affect your activities. Many people begin with nonsurgical care, which can include activity changes, bracing, medication, injections when appropriate, or physical therapy to improve strength and motion.
Some injuries or advanced joint damage may require surgery. Options can include arthroscopy for certain meniscus or cartilage problems, ACL reconstruction for significant instability, or joint replacement when advanced arthritis continues to limit mobility despite conservative care.
Why Choose OIBortho for Knee Treatment in Ocean County and Monmouth County?
OIBortho has served New Jersey for more than 30 years. Our knee specialists treat problems ranging from sports injuries to advanced arthritis. Dr. Kamath is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery and completed hip and knee reconstruction fellowship training at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Nitche is board-certified, holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine, and completed his sports medicine fellowship at Cleveland Clinic.
Our physical therapy team can also work with your orthopaedic physician when rehabilitation is part of care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain
If knee symptoms are limiting your mobility, work, exercise, or daily routine, our OIBortho team can identify the likely cause and discuss appropriate care. We see patients throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Contact us or call 732-800-9000 to request an appointment.