Your knees carry you through morning walks, pickleball games, grandkids' visits, and every trip up the stairs. When an ache keeps returning month after month, it can quietly shrink your world, turning favorite activities into things you plan around. Chronic knee pain is common, but it is not something you simply have to accept. Here is how a knee surgeon can help you find the cause and choose a path forward.
Why Chronic Knee Pain Is So Common
Knee pain can come from many sources, including arthritis, ligament injuries, meniscal tears, patellar tendonitis, bursitis, and gout. Because each cause calls for a different plan, a precise diagnosis of your knee pain is the foundation of good treatment.
Osteoarthritis is the most frequent reason knee pain becomes a long term problem. In a large study of adults age 45 and older, the estimated lifetime risk of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis was 44.7%. The risk rose to 56.8% after a past knee injury and reached about 2 in 3 among adults with obesity.1 With knee arthritis, the cartilage that lets the joint glide smoothly wears down, and the bone ends begin to rub, causing pain and reduced motion.
Signs Your Knee Needs a Specialist
Arthritis pain often develops gradually. It may be worse in the morning or after sitting, flare after vigorous activity, and come with stiffness, swelling, grinding, or a feeling that the knee might buckle.2 You should see a knee specialist if:
- You cannot bear weight on your knee3
- Your knee buckles, clicks, or locks3
- You cannot fully bend or straighten your knee3
- You have severe pain even when you are not standing on it3
- Pain continues after a few days of home treatment3
Call your provider promptly if your knee is red, warm, or very swollen, if you have a fever, or if you notice pain, swelling, numbness, or bluish color in the calf below the sore knee.3
How We Evaluate Your Knee in Naples
At our Naples office, we start by asking when the pain began, what makes it better or worse, and which activities you miss most. A thorough physical examination of the knee compares both knees for swelling, warmth, tenderness, range of motion, and ligament stability. X-rays can show joint space narrowing and bone spurs, while an MRI helps when a ligament or meniscus tear is suspected.3 Blood tests or a sample of joint fluid may be used when infection or gout is a concern.
Nonsurgical Ways a Knee Surgeon Can Help
You might picture a knee surgeon only in the operating room, yet most knee arthritis care begins without surgery.2 National guidelines strongly recommend exercise, weight loss when you are carrying extra weight, tai chi, cane use, and bracing for arthritis in the main part of the knee. The same guidelines strongly recommend oral or topical anti-inflammatory medicines and corticosteroid injections into the knee.4
Trading high impact activities like jogging for lower impact options such as swimming or cycling lets you stay active while putting less stress on the joint.2 A guided routine of knee strengthening exercises builds the muscles that support your knee. When osteoarthritis has not responded to medicine, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections, we may discuss viscosupplementation, an injection of a hyaluronan preparation into the joint.
Surgical Options When Pain Persists
If your knee still limits your life after a fair trial of nonsurgical care, surgery may be the next step, matched to the specific damage in your knee.
Partial Knee Replacement
When arthritis is limited to one compartment of the knee, a partial knee replacement replaces only the damaged section. Inflammatory arthritis, significant stiffness, or ligament damage may make you a better fit for another approach.5
Total and Robotic Assisted Knee Replacement
For more widespread arthritis, total knee replacement resurfaces the worn parts of the joint with an artificial implant. With robotic assisted knee replacement, a CT scan is used to create a virtual model of your knee, and a robotic arm helps place the new components accurately.
Care for Other Knee Problems
A meniscal tear that does not settle with nonsurgical treatment may be addressed through knee arthroscopy. If a previous knee replacement has worn or become painful, revision knee replacement replaces part or all of the original implant.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you see a knee surgeon for chronic knee pain?
You should see a knee surgeon when pain keeps returning, limits your daily activities, or does not improve with home care. Locking, buckling, or trouble bearing weight are also reasons to be seen.3
Does seeing a knee surgeon mean you will need surgery?
No, seeing a knee surgeon does not mean surgery is automatic. Most knee arthritis care begins with nonsurgical options such as exercise, weight management, bracing, medicines, and injections.2,4
What is the difference between a partial and a total knee replacement?
A partial knee replacement replaces only one damaged compartment, while a total knee replacement resurfaces the whole joint. Your exam and imaging determine which approach fits your knee.5
Can exercise really help knee arthritis pain?
Yes, exercise is one of the most strongly recommended treatments for knee osteoarthritis.4 Low impact activities and targeted strengthening help support the joint and improve function.
Can I come to your Naples office from Fort Myers or Bonita Springs for knee pain care?
Yes, we welcome you from Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and communities throughout Collier and Lee County. Our office is at the Orthopedic Center of Florida, 3530 Kraft Road, Suite 201, in Naples.
Getting Back to the Activities You Enjoy
Chronic knee pain often has more solutions than you might expect, and the first step is an accurate diagnosis. When you are ready, you can schedule an appointment with our Naples team and start building a plan that fits your knees and your life.
References
- Murphy L, Schwartz TA, Helmick CG, et al. Lifetime Risk of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2008;59(9):1207-1213.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Arthritis of the Knee. OrthoInfo.
- MedlinePlus. Knee pain. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. National Library of Medicine; reviewed 2024.
- Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020;72(2):149-162.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Unicompartmental (Partial) Knee Replacement. OrthoInfo.
About
Courtney Bell, M.D. is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and hip and knee joint replacement specialist at the Orthopedic Center of Florida in Naples, FL. She earned her medical degree and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Oregon Health & Science University, then a fellowship in Adult Reconstruction at The Rothman Orthopedic Institute. Her care includes the direct anterior approach for hip replacement and fracture care for Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and surrounding communities.
