Knee Pain Diagnosis

Proper diagnosis of knee pain should involve carefully observing the symptoms and analyzing the causes or conditions that might have resulted, thereby triggering off the pain. The medical history of the patient also becomes an influential factor, since other problems which are not directly related to the knee can also cause the problem. Examination of the exact location of the pain, swelling, and bruises is usually done by the doctor. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is commonly used as test to determine damage to ligaments and similar tissues, and for cases where the knee problem is not linked to bones. To determine injuries or degenerative diseases affecting the bones, X-Ray scans and CT (Computerized Topography) scans might also be done. Typically, the Lachman test is one of the most common ways to find out and detect any abnormalities in the patient’s knee, which requires simple movements of the leg. In case of infections, blood tests could be necessary. Diagnosis usually involves asking questions, for instance, if a patient experiences acute behind-the-knee pain, then he is most likely to have a torn his hamstring muscle. Torn ligaments usually result into swollen knees, with the pain often being aggravated after long hours of sitting.