The knee might be the largest joint in the body, but it is also the most vulnerable to injury because of its complex structure. Most knee injuries can be treated with rest, braces or strengthening exercises. However, surgery may be needed when severe injuries occur or when conservative treatment has failed.

What is Runner’s Knee?

Do you have aching pain around, behind or in front of your kneecap or hear/feel a popping or grinding sensation in your knee? These are two of the most common symptoms of runner’s knee, also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Wait…you’re not a runner? It doesn’t matter; it could still be runner’s knee because the term is actually a misnomer. You do not need to be a runner to suffer from this condition and may have it if you have swelling around your knee or experience pain when:

• Bending your knee while walking
• Walking up or down steps or hills
• Squatting or kneeling
• Getting up from a chair

Runner’s knee is actually a broad term used to describe the pain you feel from several different knee conditions, including chondromalacia patella where the cartilage under the kneecap deteriorates. Other reasons that can cause runner’s knee include:

• Direct trauma from a fall or body contact to the knee
• Malalignment of any of the bones from the hip down to the ankle, which prevents the kneecap from moving smoothly
• Overuse from high-stress exercises, such as lunges that irritate the knee
• Weak or unbalanced thigh muscles, including the quadriceps that fail to keep the kneecap in place
• Foot issues, including fallen arches, overpronation or hypermobile feet

How Runner’s Knee is Treated

A sport medicine doctor, such as Dr. Howard Marans are often the best choice to seek treatment for a knee problem. The first treatment your doctor will recommend is the RICE protocol:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

RICE and over-the-counter NSAIDs, including naproxen or ibuprofen are often enough to provide relief from your symptoms. Your doctor may recommend exercises to stretch and strengthen your quadriceps muscles or prescribe physical therapy. Orthotics or arch supports may also be recommended to adjust the position of your feet.

Recovery time will vary from patient to patient. You should avoid any physical activity that causes your knee pain until your knee feels as strong as your other knee and the pain has gone away. For instance, instead of running, try swimming, which will not put pressure on your knee.

Why You Should Choose Dr. Howard Marans

When seeking treatment for runner’s knee, you want expert care from a top sports doctor who has been specifically trained in knee issues. Dr. Howard Marans has completed a Knee and Shoulder Fellowship at Toronto’s Orthopedic Arthritic Hospital and has successfully treated thousands of patients over the past twenty years.

If you have knee pain, do not delay treatment. Please call 714.979.8981 or click below to schedule your consultation with Dr. Marans today.

It is easy sometimes easy to shrug off an occasional cramp in your wrist or hand as nothing to really worry about. You may pass the pain off as a minor strain or pain. However, if the pain does not go away, comes and goes, or you are experiencing numbness or tingling in your hand or wrist, it could be a sign of something more serious. If this is the case, it is a good idea to discuss your pain with your doctor to prevent further damage that could permanently affect your hand or wrist.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain in the wrist. It is caused from the median nerve being compressed. The median nerve runs from the forearm, through the wrist and ends in the palm of the hand. It runs through an area of the wrist that is called the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow “tunnel” that is formed by bones and ligaments at the base of the hand. Tendons also run through the carpal tunnel with the median nerve.

The carpal tunnel can become narrower when swelling or the thickening of the tendons occurs, thus causing pressure on the median nerve. This nerve is responsible for controlling feeling to the palm side of the thumb and all fingers but the pinky. It also sends impulses to smaller muscles in your hand that assist with the movement of your fingers and thumb.

There are multiple reasons why some people are more prone to developing carpal tunnel problems, including repetitive stress injuries from forceful movements or using vibrating hand tools. Some people are predisposed to developing the condition because they have smaller carpal tunnels. Others may have experienced injuries, such as a fracture or sprain that have caused swelling in the tunnel. Certain medical conditions can also make you predisposed to developing carpal tunnel syndrome, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hypothyroidism
• Fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause
• Overactive pituitary gland

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may begin gradually. You might feel a burning, itching numbness or tingling sensation in your fingers or in the palm of your hand. Your hands might feel like they are swollen when they aren’t. Often, people who are suffering from this condition will wake up during the night having pain or numbness in one or both hands.

As this condition progresses, you might feel tingling in your hand(s) throughout the day. It may become difficult to make a first, pick up small objects or do work with your hands. In severe cases, you may have difficulty knowing whether something is hot or cold when you touch it.

Dr. Howard Marans Treats Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome, do not delay treatment. Dr. Howard Marans has successfully treated this condition with both non-surgical treatments and arthroscopic surgery when needed. Please schedule your consultation by calling us at 714.979.8981 or online by clicking the button below.

Orthopedic medicine is an area of medicine that focuses on diseases and injuries to the musculoskeletal system. This system is very complex and includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Orthopedic surgeons complete a minimum of 14 years of formal education and that is just before going through any specialty training or becoming board certified. After all this training, an orthopedic surgeon is required to go through a rigorous re-certification process every 10 years. This ensures that the surgeon keeps up to date with current orthopedic knowledge.

When Should You See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Your primary care doctor can treat you for many things. But it is usually best to seek orthopedic care when you experience an injury to a bone, joint, tendon or nerve.

If you experience pain in your back, shoulders, hips, knees or ankles, you should consider seeking orthopedic care for symptoms, including:

• Difficulty walking up your stairs or unloading grocery bags from your car
• Pain in your joints that increases while resting
• Bruising or swelling around where the injury has occurred or near a joint
• Pain in a joint, muscle or tendon that lasts more than a couple of days
• Decreased range of motion
• Deformity of a joint
• Signs of an infection, including redness, inflammation or heat coming from a joint or injured area

Conditions an Orthopedic Surgeon Treats

An orthopedic surgeon is best suited for treating such conditions and diseases as:

• Bone Fractures
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Shoulder Impingement
• Runner’s Knee
• Bone Spurs

How Orthopedic Injuries and Conditions are Treated

Not all orthopedic injuries require surgery. Dr. Howard Marans first works with his patients to treat injuries and orthopedic conditions with non-invasive treatments whenever possible. After determining the extent of the injury through x-rays or other diagnostic testing, Dr. Marans creates an individualized treatment plan for each patient. In many cases, rest, NSAIDs and physical therapy will provide pain relief and allow injuries to heal. If conservative treatment fails to resolve your pain, then surgery may be recommended.

Expert Orthopedic Care in Orange County

Do not delay treatment. Your best option for a fast recovery from an orthopedic injury is to seek prompt medical care from an expert in orthopedic care. Dr. Marans is known as a skilled orthopedic surgeon who has successfully treated thousands of patients over the past 20 years in Orange County. For prompt orthopedic care, please click below or call Dr. Marans’ office at 714.979.8981 to schedule your consultation.