There are several reasons why knee pain would merit a trip to the doctor, including:
 
Pain That Affects Your Daily Activities — Any pain that interferes with the performance of daily activities should be addressed as soon as possible, as the inability to perform day-to-day activities greatly impedes one’s independence.
 
Difficulty Walking — Our knees play an essential role in walking, and when walking is difficult due to knee pain, it can negatively impact the quality of life. If it is difficult to walk, visit a knee pain specialist right away.
 
Inability to Hold Weight — If knee pain is making it difficult to put weight on the joint, it should definitely be evaluated by a knee pain specialist.
 
Knee Instability — Knee instability refers to the knee-buckling or ‘giving way’. In many instances, merely the feeling of this happening will occur. In either case, it is important to have any knee instability evaluated by a medical professional.

Deformity of the Joint — In some instances of knee pain, a deformity may be present. If there is a visible abnormality, especially following an injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
 
Less Sensation in the Knee — If the knee is losing sensation, it could indicate a serious problem. Seek medical attention right away.
 
Redness or Swelling Around the Joint — Redness or swelling around the knee may indicate infection and should be addressed by a medical professional immediately. If left untreated, infections can spread to other parts of the body and can result in severe complications, such as sepsis.
 
Long-Term Pain or Discomfort — Chronic pain is a serious condition and should always be addressed as soon as possible. Although the term chronic refers to pain that lasts longer than three months, early treatment is essential to proper healing and recovery times, and late is better than never.
 
Pain That Affects Sleep — A good night’s sleep is vital to our health, and when pain is disrupting sleep or making it hard to fall asleep, it might be a good time to book an appointment with a knee pain specialist.
 
Reduced Range of Motion — Proper range of motion is essential to the normal function of the body. Especially when experienced in the knees, a reduced range of motion can severely limit mobility.

Knee pain may be serious if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Inability to bear weight on the knee
• Instability in the knee
• Noticeable knee swelling
• Inability to fully extend or flex the knee
• There is an obvious deformity in the knee
• Fever, in addition to swelling, pain, and redness in the knee
• Knee pain that is associated with an injury

How long knee pain will last depends on a number of factors, such as the severity of the injury if it is a repeat injury, and other lifestyle factors. Pain associated with minor strains or sprains typically lasts around one to two weeks. Pain associated with moderate injuries typically takes around one to three months to heal. Major traumatic injuries to the knee may take up to a year to heal, with pain lingering for the entire duration.

If you are experiencing knee pain, trust the orthopedic knee specialist at The Orthopedic Group. Our kind and compassionate professionals are experienced in treating knee pain and do not just relieve pain, but also work to treat the underlying cause. Call us today or book an appointment. We serve patients from Leesburg VA, Lansdowne VA, Stone Springs VA, Ashburn VA, Sterling VA, Aldie VA, South Riding VA, Herndon VA, Winchester VA, Reston VA, and Chantilly VA.