Knee Pain & Orthopedic Knee Care in Northern Virginia

Knee pain can make simple activities—walking, climbing stairs, exercising, getting out of a chair, or even sleeping—more difficult than they should be. Sometimes the cause is an injury. In other cases, pain develops gradually from arthritis, overuse, cartilage damage, or another condition affecting the joint.

At Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics, our orthopedic specialists evaluate and treat a wide range of knee conditions in Sterling and South Riding, Virginia. Treatment is based on the cause of your symptoms, your activity level, the health of your knee, and your goals. Many knee problems can be managed without surgery, while others may benefit from arthroscopic, joint-preserving, or joint-replacement procedures.

Not sure what is causing your knee pain? Request an orthopedic evaluation to learn more about your options.

What Causes Knee Pain?

Knee pain can come from the cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bones, meniscus, kneecap, or other structures that work together to keep the joint moving smoothly.

The cause often depends on how your symptoms began, where you feel the pain, and whether you also have swelling, stiffness, instability, locking, or difficulty moving the knee.

Knee Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of persistent knee pain and stiffness. It develops as the cartilage that cushions the joint becomes damaged or worn over time.

People with knee arthritis may notice pain with walking or stairs, stiffness after sitting, swelling, decreased motion, or increasing difficulty with everyday activities.

Arthritis does not automatically mean you need knee replacement surgery. Treatment often begins with nonsurgical approaches and is adjusted based on your symptoms, joint damage, health, and activity goals.

Sports and Ligament Injuries

A sudden twist, awkward landing, collision, or change in direction can injure the ligaments that stabilize the knee.

These include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and other supporting structures.

Ligament injuries can cause swelling, pain, instability, or the feeling that the knee may buckle or give way. They are common in athletes, but they can happen during recreational activities, falls, and everyday accidents as well.

Meniscus and Cartilage Injuries

The meniscus helps cushion and stabilize the knee, while articular cartilage provides a smooth surface for joint movement.

Either can be damaged by a sudden injury or by changes that develop over time.

Meniscus and cartilage problems may cause pain, swelling, catching, clicking, or locking. Some injuries improve with nonsurgical treatment. Others may require arthroscopic surgery or a cartilage-restoration procedure depending on the type of damage and the patient's symptoms.

Because ACL and meniscus injuries can happen in similar ways—and can occur during the same injury—it isn’t always possible to tell them apart from symptoms alone. Compare common ACL tear and meniscus tear symptoms, how each injury is diagnosed, and how treatment and recovery may differ.

Kneecap and Overuse Problems

Not every painful knee has a torn ligament or advanced arthritis.

Pain around or behind the kneecap can develop from overuse, changes in how the kneecap moves, muscle weakness, repetitive stress, or injury. Tendons around the knee can also become irritated with sports, running, jumping, or repeated activity.

A proper diagnosis matters because similar symptoms can come from very different knee conditions.

What Can Your Knee Symptoms Mean?

The way knee pain feels can offer clues about its cause, but symptoms alone cannot confirm a diagnosis.

• Gradual pain and stiffness ➞ Osteoarthritis or another degenerative condition

• Swelling after an injury ➞ Ligament, meniscus, cartilage, or other joint injury

• Locking or catching ➞ Meniscus or cartilage injury, or another mechanical problem inside the knee

• Knee giving way or buckling ➞ Ligament injury, kneecap instability, weakness, or pain-related instability

• Pain with stairs or squatting ➞ Kneecap-related pain, arthritis, tendon problems, or other conditions

• Pain after running or sports ➞ Overuse, tendon irritation, kneecap problems, meniscus injury, or ligament injury

• Reduced range of motion ➞ Swelling, arthritis, injury, or another mechanical problem

Because several conditions can produce similar symptoms, an orthopedic evaluation can help identify which structure is actually causing the problem.

When Should You See an Orthopedic Specialist for Knee Pain?

Consider scheduling an evaluation when knee pain continues despite rest and activity changes, keeps returning, or begins interfering with your normal routine.

It is especially helpful to be evaluated if you have:

• Persistent or worsening knee pain

• Recurrent swelling

• Difficulty walking or climbing stairs

• Loss of motion

• A knee that locks or catches

• Buckling or instability

• Pain that limits sports, exercise, work, or everyday activities

• Symptoms after a significant knee injury

• Arthritis symptoms that are no longer responding to your current treatment

You do not need to wait until knee pain becomes severe to see an orthopedic specialist. An evaluation does not mean you are committing to surgery. Its purpose is to determine what is causing the problem and which treatment options make sense for you.

When Knee Pain Needs Urgent Evaluation

Some knee problems should be evaluated promptly.

Seek urgent medical care after a significant injury if you cannot put weight on the leg, the knee looks visibly out of place, or you develop severe pain or rapid swelling.

A painful, red, hot, swollen knee accompanied by fever also requires prompt medical attention.

How Is Knee Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosing knee pain usually begins with a conversation about your symptoms and a physical examination.

Your orthopedic provider may ask:

• When the pain started

• Whether an injury occurred

• Where the pain is located

• Which activities make it better or worse

• Whether the knee swells, catches, locks, or gives way

• Which treatments you have already tried

• What activities you want to return to

During the examination, your provider may evaluate knee motion, swelling, tenderness, strength, alignment, and stability.

Imaging may also be recommended. X-rays can help identify arthritis, fractures, alignment changes, and other problems involving the bone or joint. An MRI may be useful when a ligament, meniscus, cartilage injury, or another soft-tissue problem is suspected.

The goal is not simply to identify something abnormal on an image. Your treatment plan should reflect your symptoms, examination findings, imaging when appropriate, activity level, health, and personal goals.

Can Knee Pain Be Treated Without Surgery?

Yes. Many knee conditions can be treated without surgery.

The right approach depends on the diagnosis. A treatment that works well for arthritis may not be appropriate for a torn ligament, and treatment for an athlete with an unstable knee may differ from treatment for someone whose main concern is pain during daily activities.

Physical Therapy and Activity Modification

Physical therapy can help improve knee strength, flexibility, balance, movement, and function.

Depending on the condition, therapy may focus on strengthening the muscles around the knee and hip, restoring range of motion, improving movement patterns, or preparing the knee for a safe return to work, exercise, or sports.

Arthritis & Sports offers on-site orthopedic physical therapy in both Sterling and South Riding, allowing physicians and rehabilitation specialists to coordinate care when therapy is part of the treatment plan.

Temporary changes in activity may also allow an irritated or injured knee to recover without completely giving up the activities you enjoy.

Medications, Bracing and Injections

Other nonsurgical treatment options may include medications, a knee brace, or injections.

Depending on the diagnosis, injection options may include corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). These treatments are not appropriate for every knee condition, and their potential benefits vary based on the diagnosis and individual patient.

Your orthopedic provider can explain which options are reasonable based on your symptoms and medical history.

Other Nonsurgical Treatment Options

Some patients may also benefit from additional conservative treatments offered through Arthritis & Sports, depending on the condition.

Rather than choosing a treatment based on symptoms alone, the first step is determining what is causing the knee pain.

Still dealing with knee pain after trying to manage it on your own? Schedule an evaluation to find out what treatment options may fit your diagnosis and goals.

Knee-Preservation and Sports Medicine Treatments

When a structural knee injury does require surgery, the goal is not always to replace the joint.

Our sports medicine specialists treat ligament, meniscus, cartilage, and other knee injuries using procedures selected according to the type of damage and the patient's needs.

ACL and Other Ligament Injuries

ACL tears are common in sports involving cutting, pivoting, sudden stops, or awkward landings. Patients often describe a pop at the time of injury followed by swelling or instability.

Not every ACL injury requires reconstruction.

Age is only one factor. Knee stability, activity level, associated injuries, sports participation, work demands, and personal goals all influence the decision between rehabilitation and surgery.

Patients with suspected ligament injuries can be evaluated by our sports medicine specialists to determine whether physical therapy, bracing, reconstruction, or another treatment is appropriate.

Meniscus and Arthroscopic Knee Treatment

Some meniscus tears can improve without surgery, particularly when symptoms are manageable and the knee is not persistently locking.

When a meniscus or another structure inside the knee continues to cause mechanical symptoms or significant pain despite appropriate treatment, arthroscopic surgery may be considered.

Knee arthroscopy uses a small camera and specialized instruments inserted through small incisions to evaluate and treat selected problems inside the joint.

The specific procedure depends on what is damaged.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a torn meniscus, learn more about meniscus tear treatment, including when physical therapy may be enough, when surgery may be considered, and how meniscus repair differs from partial meniscectomy.

Cartilage Restoration, Including MACI

Cartilage injuries are different from the gradual, widespread cartilage loss seen with advanced osteoarthritis.

For selected patients with symptomatic cartilage defects, cartilage-restoration procedures may help preserve the natural knee.

One option available at Arthritis & Sports is MACI®, which uses a patient's own cultured cartilage cells on a collagen membrane to repair certain cartilage defects in the knee.

MACI is not a treatment for every type of knee pain or arthritis. A sports medicine specialist can determine whether the location and extent of cartilage damage, along with other patient factors, make cartilage restoration an appropriate option.

Treatment Options for Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis treatment is based on more than what an X-ray looks like.

Your physician will also consider how much pain you have, how well the knee functions, which activities are becoming difficult, and how you have responded to previous treatments.

Nonsurgical Arthritis Treatment

Many patients begin with nonsurgical care.

Depending on the individual, this may include physical therapy and exercise, changes in activity, medications, bracing, injections, weight management when appropriate, and other strategies aimed at reducing symptoms and maintaining function.

If these treatments no longer provide enough relief, additional options may be considered.

MISHA Knee System

For selected patients with osteoarthritis affecting the inner, or medial, side of the knee, the MISHA® Knee System may offer another joint-preserving option.

MISHA is an implantable shock absorber positioned alongside the knee rather than inside the joint. It is designed to reduce load on the affected portion of the knee while preserving the natural joint.

It is not intended for everyone with knee arthritis. An orthopedic specialist must evaluate the location and severity of the arthritis, previous treatments, symptoms, and other factors to determine whether a patient may be a candidate.

Partial Knee Replacement

When arthritis is limited to one compartment of the knee, some patients may be candidates for partial knee replacement.

Instead of replacing the entire joint, the surgeon replaces only the damaged portion while preserving healthy areas of the knee.

Patient selection is important. The location of the arthritis, condition of the remaining joint, ligament stability, symptoms, and other factors determine whether partial replacement is appropriate.

Total Knee Replacement

Total knee replacement may be considered when advanced arthritis or joint damage causes persistent pain and loss of function despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment.

During the procedure, damaged joint surfaces are replaced with artificial components designed to allow smoother movement.

The decision to have knee replacement is not based on age alone. Pain, mobility, quality of life, imaging findings, health, goals, and response to previous treatments all matter.

Patients who are wondering whether it may be time to consider surgery can meet with a joint-replacement specialist to review their options rather than trying to make that decision on their own.

When knee replacement is planned, some patients may also be referred for physical therapy before surgery. This type of preparation, often called prehab, may focus on strength, mobility, walking, balance, and movements that may be important during recovery. Learn more about prehab before knee surgery.

Which Knee Specialist Should You See?

Our knee specialists treat a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries and cartilage damage to advanced arthritis and joint degeneration. The right specialist depends on the cause of your symptoms, your age and activity level, and whether your treatment needs are focused on joint preservation, sports medicine, or knee replacement.

Randall S. Peyton, MD — Knee Arthritis & Joint Replacement

Randall S. Peyton, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult hip and knee reconstruction and total joint replacement.

Patients with moderate to advanced knee arthritis, progressive joint degeneration, or questions about partial or total knee replacement may be evaluated by Dr. Peyton at our Sterling office. His practice focuses on helping patients reduce pain, restore mobility, and determine when joint replacement may be appropriate after nonsurgical treatment is no longer providing enough relief.

Meet Dr. Randall Peyton.

Matthew H. Griffith, MD — Sports Medicine & Knee Injuries

Matthew H. Griffith, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery.

He treats athletic and other knee injuries, including meniscus tears, ligament injuries, cartilage problems, and conditions that may require arthroscopic surgery or other sports-medicine treatment. Dr. Griffith sees patients at our Sterling office.

Meet Dr. Matthew Griffith.

David S. Goodwin, MD — Sports Medicine & Knee Preservation

David S. Goodwin, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopy, cartilage restoration, and joint-preservation techniques.

He treats youth and adult patients with sports-related knee injuries, cartilage damage, meniscus and ligament problems, and other conditions where preserving the natural knee joint may be a treatment priority. Dr. Goodwin sees patients at our South Riding office.

Meet Dr. David Goodwin.

Knee Care in Sterling and South Riding, Virginia

Arthritis & Sports provides orthopedic knee care at convenient locations in Sterling and South Riding.

Our Sterling office offers orthopedic care as well as on-site physical therapy and rehabilitation. Knee specialists at this location include Dr. Randall Peyton and Dr. Matthew Griffith.

Our South Riding office provides orthopedic sports medicine, joint-preservation care, and on-site physical therapy. Dr. David Goodwin evaluates and treats knee conditions at this location.

Together, our orthopedic and rehabilitation teams care for patients from Loudoun County and communities throughout Northern Virginia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain

What kind of doctor should I see for knee pain?

An orthopedic specialist is an appropriate starting point for persistent knee pain, swelling, instability, loss of motion, or an injury involving the joint. Depending on the diagnosis, you may be referred to a sports medicine surgeon, joint-replacement specialist, physical therapist, or another provider with experience treating your specific problem.

How do I know if my knee pain is arthritis?

Knee arthritis often causes gradually worsening pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with activities such as walking or climbing stairs. However, other knee conditions can cause similar symptoms. A physical examination and, when appropriate, X-rays can help determine whether arthritis is responsible for your pain.

Can knee pain be treated without surgery?

Yes. Many knee problems can be managed without surgery. Depending on the cause, treatment may include physical therapy, activity modification, medications, bracing, injections, or other conservative care. Surgery is generally considered when it is appropriate for the specific injury or when symptoms continue despite nonsurgical treatment.

What does it mean when my knee locks or catches?

Locking or catching can occur when something inside the knee interferes with smooth movement. Meniscus tears and cartilage injuries are among the possible causes, although other conditions can produce similar symptoms. Repeated or persistent mechanical symptoms should be evaluated by an orthopedic specialist.

Why does my knee keep giving out?

A knee that buckles or gives way may be related to ligament instability, kneecap problems, muscle weakness, pain, or another knee condition. If instability keeps happening—especially after an injury—an orthopedic evaluation can help determine the cause.

When is knee replacement considered?

Knee replacement may be considered when advanced arthritis or joint damage causes significant pain and loss of function and appropriate nonsurgical treatments are no longer providing enough relief. The decision depends on your symptoms, examination, imaging, health, activity needs, and goals—not simply your age.

Schedule a Knee Evaluation

You do not need to know exactly what is causing your knee pain before making an appointment.

Whether your symptoms began after an injury or have gradually worsened over time, our orthopedic team can evaluate your knee, explain the diagnosis, and help you understand your treatment options.

Request an appointment with a knee specialist at Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics in Sterling or South Riding, Virginia.