Knee pain
Knee pain can be intra-articular (cartilage, meniscus and ligaments) or extra-articular (tendons, muscles and ligaments), and each type calls for a different approach.
One of the most common causes of knee pain in young people and athletes is patellofemoral pain syndrome, a conflict between the kneecap and the cartilage of the femoral condyles. The pain usually gets worse after sitting for a long time or going downstairs. If not treated early, it can progress to deeper cartilage damage. An image-guided intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma usually gives good pain control, opening a pain-free window to correct the biomechanical causes.
Also in young athletes, patellar tendinopathy/tendinitis is a common cause. Image-guided peritendinous hydrodissection is an effective treatment option, as is an image-guided platelet-rich plasma injection into the area of tendinopathy, depending on the type. A specific exercise plan is always essential to prevent relapse.
In older people, the most common pain affects the inner compartment of the knee, involving the medial meniscus, the medial collateral ligament or the pes anserinus tendons. These areas of inflammation are caused by knee valgus (walking with the knee turning inwards), which most people have. Image-guided peritendinous or perimeniscal injections allow effective pain control, followed by effective biomechanical correction.
Knee osteoarthritis is also one of the most common causes of knee pain in older people, causing pain throughout the joint. Image-guided intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation), anti-inflammatories or platelet-rich plasma (growth factors) are effective options for managing it before a knee replacement is considered.
Dr. Miguel Reis e Silva
Doctor at Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Medical Director and Founder of Clínica Myalgia
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