KNEE PAIN

What are the causes of knee pain? 

Some causes are apparent, such as tearing of ligaments or cartilage because of trauma at work or sport. However, one of the common causes of discomfort is anterior knee pain. Often, patients are told that their knee is normal on an MRI scan or isn’t severe enough to require surgery. It can be disheartening to hear that you must give up sports or running due to this complaint. So, knee pain requires you to see a knee specialist in London.   

What treatments does a knee specialist recommend?

Generally, most causes of anterior knee pain are due to biomechanical factors that require a comprehensive rehabilitation program incorporating other disciplines, such as physiotherapy, podiatry, and strength and conditioning. 

Sometimes, anterior knee pain may be due to kneecap arthritis or fat pad impingement. In general, both of these conditions need specialised treatment. 

Additionally, Dr. Masci specialises in managing a common knee complaint known as patellar tendinopathy, also referred to as jumper’s knee. Patellar tendinopathy commonly affects younger individuals who participate in sports that involve jumping or sudden changes in direction, such as football, rugby, and track and field athletics. In general, managing patellar tendinopathy, also known as jumper’s knee, is challenging. It requires a comprehensive rehab program such as heavy gym loading and extra exercises, including shockwave therapy, GTN patches, or an ultrasound-guided injection. Dr. Masci has published a paper on stem cell and PRP injections in patellar tendinopathy. Often, an MSK ultrasound helps confirm the diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy, also known as jumper’s knee. 

Another common knee complaint is arthritis of the knee. Most cases of knee arthritis do not require surgery and can improve with exercise therapy combined with other treatments, including medication and/or injections. Dr. Masci has expertise in the non-surgical treatment of knee arthritis, including PRP injections. This recent blog discusses evidence for the use of PRP injections in knee osteoarthritis. Other treatment injection options include hyaluronic acid and Arthrosamid. 

Finally, common knee overuse injuries include IT syndrome and pes anserine bursitis. We manage both conditions with good physiotherapy. On occasion, we might consider a cortisone injection for IT band syndrome.

Click on the site of your pain to identify possible causes:  

Dr Masci is a knee specialist and advises on non-surgical management of knee pain in central London.

If you wish to speak to our team about injection therapy, please contact us.