Knee pain specialist Perth

Two knee pain cases: same symptoms, different treatments

Knee pain is a common problem. But the reasons behind it and the treatments can be very different. In this article, I’ll share the stories of two of my patients, Lisa and Emily (names changed for privacy). They both had knee pain, but their treatments were different because the sources of their pain were unique.
Knee pain specialist Perth
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Osteoarthritis and knee pain specialist Perth

Case 1: Lisa: “From injections to nerve rhizotomy”

Knee pain specialist Perth

Lisa is a 69-year-old lady who loves playing lawn bowls. Her right knee osteoarthritis started causing problems. Initially, it was treated with a cortisone injection and then a hyaluronic acid injection, which acts like a jelly lubricant. But when this didn’t help, Lisa had knee replacement surgery. She followed all medical advice after the surgery, but her pain didn’t go away. 

“Lisa came to see me after her knee replacement surgery and she complained the pain wasn’t gone. I suggested a genicular nerve rhizotomy around her knee. This reduced her pain by 70% and allowed her to get back to playing lawn bowls.”
Dr Reza Feizerfan
Dr Reza Feizerfan

Genicular nerve rhizotomy is a procedure where the nerves around the knee are intentionally ablated to block pain signals. We use heat or freezing temperatures to target the specific nerves causing pain. This helps reduce knee pain and improve mobility.

“Lisa’s case shows how even after knee surgery, targeted pain treatments can make a big difference in managing pain.” 

Dr Reza Feizerfan
Dr Reza Feizerfan

Complex knee pain Perth

Case 2: Emily: “Finding the true source of pain”

Emily is a 75-year-old single lady who developed right knee pain after tripping over a carpet. Her knee was swollen and bruised for a few weeks, but the pain persisted even after the swelling went down. 

Her GP organised scans and gave her a cortisone injection, but that didn’t provide lasting relief. She was then referred to an orthopaedic surgeon who ordered a scan of her hip joint and lower back. He eventually concluded that her knee pain was coming from her lower back and referred her to a spinal surgeon. The spinal surgeon organised a nerve injection in her back, but it didn’t work either.

“From her GP, to an orthopaedic surgeon and then spinal surgeon, Emily had seen so many specialists with no definitive answer. Finding the exact cause of pain is challenging because different pain sources can overlap. For instance, knee pain can originate from the knee joint, hip, lower back nerves, or even the facet joint in the spine or sacroiliac joint in the hip.” 

Dr Reza Feizerfan
Dr Reza Feizerfan

By the time Emily saw Pain Specialists WA, she was frustrated and had spent a lot of money without a clear diagnosis. 

“I suggested diagnostic injections to the facet joint and sacroiliac joint to narrow down the source. It turned out that Emily’s pain was coming from the facet joint, which required a different treatment approach.” 

Dr Reza Feizerfan
Dr Reza Feizerfan

Emily’s case highlights the complexity of chronic pain and the need for a thorough investigation and sometimes diagnostic injection to find the right treatment.

“I understand how frustrating it can be to get a diagnosis. You may have seen several specialists, GPs, and physios, and spent a lot of money without getting the relief you need. I get that, and I feel your frustration. But each step helps us get closer to finding the true source of the pain.” 

Dr Reza Feizerfan
Dr Reza Feizerfan

Pain specialist near me in Perth

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The stories of Lisa and Emily show that even though their knee pain seemed the same, it came from different causes and needed different treatments. 

Lisa’s osteoarthritis-related knee pain was significantly improved through genicular nerve rhizotomy, allowing her to resume her favourite activities. Emily’s knee pain, on the other hand, was ultimately traced back to her facet joint, needing a different treatment strategy.

“Every patient’s pain is unique, and so is the treatment plan. As a pain specialist, I work to identify the root cause of your pain and create a tailored treatment plan to address it. This might involve different therapies, medications, or other treatments, all focused on managing your specific pain.” 

Dr Reza Feizerfan
Dr Reza Feizerfan

Chronic pain can be challenging and frustrating, but with a comprehensive approach, relief is possible. At Pain Specialists WA, we explore all potential options to effectively manage your pain. If you’re struggling with persistent knee pain, please get in touch and schedule an appointment.