Knee Pain Specialist

Paul M Puziss, MD -  - Orthopedic Specialist

Puziss Orthopedics

Paul M Puziss, MD

Orthopedic Specialist & Back, Spine, & Neck Specialist located in Downtown Beaverton, Beaverton, OR

Your knees are complex, weight-bearing joints that endure an extreme amount of stress on a regular basis. Not surprisingly, knee pain is a common problem. At his practice, Puziss Orthopedics, Dr. Puziss specializes in diagnosing and treating knee pain. He takes a personalized and conservative approach to care, using a variety of modalities to help you get relief from your discomfort. Call the office in Beaverton, Oregon today.

Knee Pain Q&A

What is knee pain?

Knee pain refers to any type of discomfort you feel in or around your knee. The type and severity of your pain depend on the cause, ranging from a dull ache to a sharp, shooting pain anytime you bear weight on the affected knee.

You don’t always need medical care for knee pain, but if your pain is severe, interfering with your daily activities, or ongoing, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Puziss. 

What are common causes of knee pain?

Many conditions cause knee pain. The pain may develop as a result of an acute injury, a mechanical problem, or an underlying disease.

Conditions that typically cause knee pain include:

  • Torn meniscus
  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
  • Synovitis
  • Tendinitis
  • Iliotibial band syndrome (tight, painful iliotibial band)
  • Kneecap bursitis
  • Pes anserine bursitis 
  • Arthritis
  • Hamstring strains
  • Fractures
  • Dislocated kneecap

You may be at greater risk of developing an injury that causes knee pain if you play sports. A knee injury also increases your risk of developing arthritis in the knee later in life.

Your knee pain may also develop if you have problems with your feet or hips, which might alter your gait and place additional stress on your knees. 

How is knee pain diagnosed?

As an orthopedic specialist, Dr. Puziss provides care for all types of knee pain, including sports injuries. When you come in with a complaint about knee pain, he first conducts an in-depth evaluation.

He asks detailed questions about your pain, including when it started and the cause (if known), the type of pain you feel, and the activities that make your pain worse. He performs a physical exam and assesses the strength, stability, and flexibility of the knee causing your symptoms. 

To confirm or rule out a diagnosis, Dr. Puziss requests imaging tests such as digital X-rays or MRIs, which he examines himself.

How is knee pain treated?

Dr. Puziss takes a personalized and holistic approach to care. For knee pain, his goal is to develop a treatment plan that alleviates your discomfort and prevents or delays the need for surgical intervention.

Your knee pain treatment plan may include:

  • Rest, ice, elevation, and compression
  • Activity modification
  • Bracing or splinting
  • Orthotics
  • Physical therapy
  • Synthetic joint fluid injections
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Taping
  • Chiropractic care
  • Acupuncture
  • Naturopathic care

If conservative measures fail to relieve your knee pain, Dr. Puziss refers you to one of the best surgeons in the area for a consultation. 

For comprehensive care for your knee pain from an orthopedic specialist, call Puziss Orthopedics today.