Putting the brakes on knee pain from driving
Are you noticing an uncomfortable knee pain while driving around DFW? If so, you're not alone. In fact, the person writing this post suffers from it, especially on long road trips. If you know what we're talking about, this blog post is for you.
Knee pain from driving (sometimes called "driver's knee") is a common issue that actually affects many individuals. Whether you're taking a long road trip or just commuting to work, knee pain can make driving a real challenge. But, what's causing this pain? What can you do to find relief? And, when should you consider seeing a pain management doctor to help? If you're struggling with knee pain when driving, keep reading to learn more about the causes and treatments for this issue.
What causes knee pain in the first place?
There are a number of factors that can cause knee pain, including injuries, overuse and arthritis. When it comes to knee pain while driving, however, there are several specific factors that may contribute to this issue. For example, sitting in one position for an extended period of time can put pressure on your knees and cause discomfort. Additionally, if you have an existing knee injury or condition, driving may exacerbate the pain you're already experiencing.
For most cases we see where knee pain when driving becomes a problem, it's generally if the person has had a previous injury, surgery or knows they've been diagnosed with arthritis. So, the route we take is specialized to patient's prior history. For example, if you know you're suffering from arthritis in the knee, we can usually assume the arthritis damage is causing the knee pain from driving and take that into account when listening to your symptoms (for example, where the pain is coming from).
A driver stuck in traffic, which is a common cause for knee pain.
Why driving (specifically) can cause knee pain
As mentioned above, sitting in one position for an extended period of time can put pressure on your knees and cause discomfort. Additionally, when driving, you may need to use your pedals frequently (e.g. using the brake pedal often in stop-and-go traffic), which can put extra stress on your knees. Finally, if you have a small vehicle, you may need to contort your body to get comfortable, which can cause additional strain on your knees.
We often see patients that have a combination of the above issues, especially when it comes to stop-and-go traffic in Irving and in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. When you're constantly moving your knee joint over and over from brake to gas, gas to brake, etc., the repetitive movement in a sitting position can exacerbate pain and exhaust your muscles.
Stretching before and after can help relieve knee pain from driving.
How to help relieve knee pain from driving
Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do to help relieve knee pain caused by driving.
First and foremost, try adjusting your seat, steering wheel and pedals to create a more ergonomic driving experience. This is difficult to do depending on the car, but if your car does have more customizable features, toggling them to fit a better driving position could be a first step.
Second, if you can (say, if you're doing long-distance driving), take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and give your knees a break. When your legs are kept in a bent position for a long time, the muscles around the knee joint become extended or contracted in a way that may cause them to cramp or fatigue. Giving your knees a break through a quick walk into a gas station, a stretch session at a rest stop or an extended view of a scenic area (note: note always as accessible as we'd like in Texas!) can help relieve knee pain from driving.
Finally, try using a heating pad or ice pack on your knees when you're not driving to help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. If you're driving with a partner, switch with them and use the heating pad or ice pack when you're the passenger. If you've got the space in the backseat, it might even be worth it to take your break in the back. Be a passenger princess or a prince for a bit: it's worth it to relieve the knee pain from driving!
Dr. Lopez checks a patient for knee pain while asking thoughtful questions about her experience with pain.
When to see a pain management specialist for knee pain when driving
If you've been experiencing knee pain when driving for more than a couple of weeks, it may be time to see a pain management doctor such as Dr. Edrick Lopez here at DFW Interventional Pain Institute. A pain management specialist can help diagnose the cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan that's tailored to your specific needs. At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, our team can help you find the relief you need to get back on the road without pain or discomfort.
Common treatments a pain management doctor can provide include:
Specific stretching or strengthening exercises for your knee pain
Medication, such as NSAIDs to use while driving or opioids to help when you're in a safe place to rest (in other words, NOT driving)
Hyaluronic acid injections, which is a naturally-occurring substance in your joints that can be added to help with lubrication and cushioning.
Trigger point injections, which can help reduce spasms that may be causing knee pain.
Again, the important thing to remember is that a pain management specialist will be able to look at your complete medical history and make a diagnosis using his or her professional background in medicine. As an example, Dr. Lopez listens to his patients' specific symptoms and designs a plan that's unique to each patient's case. This way, his patients not only get relief from knee pain when driving, but also potentially from other areas where knee pain has been a concern.
At DFW Interventional Pain Institute, we work with patients from all different backgrounds and experiences to help relieve knee pain.
We can steer you in the right direction to relieve knee pain at DFW Interventional Pain Institute
Knee pain when driving can be a real challenge, but it doesn't have to be something you just live with. By understanding the causes of knee pain while driving and implementing the tips above, you can alleviate your pain and get back to enjoying your time on the road.
If you're experiencing persistent knee pain while driving that's affecting your commute in life, it may be time to see a specialist like Dr. Edrick Lopez at DFW Interventional Pain Institute to help you find the relief you need. Make an appointment today and our team will be in touch to get you back on the road in no time!
