Knee Pain Treatment in Austin, TX
Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people seek orthopedic care — and one of the most treatable. Whether caused by a sports injury, years of wear, or a meniscus tear, accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. At ATX Orthopedics, Dr. Sean Gallagher evaluates and treats the full spectrum of knee conditions, from early-stage arthritis to total knee replacement.
What Causes Knee Pain?
The knee bears significant load with every step. Osteoarthritis breaks down protective cartilage over time. Meniscus tears are common in both athletes and older adults. Ligament injuries (ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL) cause instability and chronic pain. Dr. Gallagher uses physical examination, X-ray, and MRI to identify the precise cause before recommending treatment.
Treatment
Conservative treatment includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and targeted injections. When quality of life is significantly impacted, Dr. Gallagher performs total and partial knee replacement at the Pinnacle Surgery Center of Austin. Self-pay pricing is available and insured patients are billed as in-network with no balance billing.
Serving patients in Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and surrounding Central Texas. Same-week appointments available.
Knee problems and pain can be the result of several injuries or conditions. To get help with knee pain, patients in and around Central Austin, Texas can visit ATX Orthopedics. Here, Dr. Sean Gallagher can diagnose and treat a number of conditions which can cause knee problems and discomfort.
Knee Q&A
What causes knee pain?
Knee pain is unfortunately a common problem for many individuals. It is usually associated with the bony structures which make up the knee joint, such as the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella, or it can be caused by an injury or as a result of interior deterioration of the ligaments and cartilage. Three categories are usually used to describe knee pain which include: acute injury, medical conditions, and chronic use/overuse conditions. Acute injuries can include:
- Fractures
- Ligament injuries including ACL tears
- Meniscus injuries, the shock-absorbing cartilage is damaged
- Joint dislocation
Medical conditions include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis causing deterioration of the joints
- Gout arthritis
- Septic arthritis, infection of the knee joint
Chronic Use/Overuse conditions include:
- Patellar tendinitis, inflammation of the tendons which branch the kneecap to the lower leg
- Osteoarthritis caused by wear and tear
When should I go to a doctor for knee pain?
Any pain which is not getting better with rest or recede within a few days should be evaluated by the doctor. In addition, if the symptoms and signs given below are occurring the doctor will need to examine the patient’s knee:
- Cannot bend the joint
- Cannot walk without discomfort or cannot walk at all
- Inflammation
- Deformity
- Extreme pain
How are knee problems treated?
When the pain is minimal or just starting, care will typically begin with medications and physical therapy. When these methods are not found to provide satisfactory results, injections into the joint can alleviate pain and work as a diagnostic tool. Here, the medication, most often anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids, is inserted directly into the joint space. When a fracture, rip of the tendons or ligaments, or deterioration of cartilage are the underlying cause of the knee discomfort or if the pain is especially severe, surgery is typically performed. This can include a partial or total knee joint replacement.