Understanding Knee Pain: From Weekend Sports to Daily Activities in St. Augustine, FL
Understanding Knee Pain: From Weekend Sports to Daily Activities in St. Augustine, FL
At Florida Direct Primary Care here in St. Augustine, Florida, knee pain is one of the more common complaints that patients seek care for. As a primary care practice with expertise in sports medicine and obesity medicine, we see everyone from competitive athletes to weekend warriors and adults who simply want to stay active without pain.
Knee pain can strike anyone. Whether you’re jogging through Anastasia State Park, walking the cobblestone streets of downtown St. Augustine, or simply getting up and down stairs at home, painful knees can quickly interfere with daily life. The good news? With the right approach, most knee pain can be effectively treated without surgery.
In this article, we’ll cover the most common causes of knee pain, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment strategies we use at our clinic—plus tips to keep your knees healthy for years to come.
Why the Knee Is So Vulnerable
The knee is the largest joint in the body, and it absorbs force with every step you take. Unlike the hip, which is designed for stability, the knee depends heavily on surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments for support.
Between recreational activities like running, surfing, or golfing here in St. Augustine, and everyday movements like squatting or climbing stairs, it’s no surprise that knee pain shows up so often in patients across all age groups.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Overuse Injuries
Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome): A dull ache around the kneecap, often worsened by stairs or prolonged sitting.
Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis): Common in athletes, especially with repetitive jumping or sprinting.
Acute Sports Injuries
Meniscus tears: Often caused by twisting motions; may lead to pain, swelling, or locking.
Ligament injuries (ACL, MCL): Typically from pivots or collisions, common in sports like soccer or basketball.
Degenerative Conditions
Osteoarthritis: Extremely common, especially in adults over 50. Stiffness, swelling, and pain can gradually worsen over time. Weight management plays a huge role here—one reason our obesity medicine program here in St. Augustine often improves knee health alongside overall wellness.
Other Causes
Bursitis: Inflammation from kneeling or repetitive stress.
Referred pain: Sometimes knee pain actually comes from hip or back problems.
How We Diagnose Knee Pain
When patients visit our St. Augustine clinic, we start with a thorough history and physical exam. Questions like “When did the pain start?” or “What movements make it worse?” give important clues.
We then examine the knee for swelling, stability, and mobility. In many cases, we can diagnose the issue in the office, but we may also order:
X-rays for arthritis or fractures.
MRI for ligament or meniscus injuries and to further evaluate tendons and soft tissue injuries.
Treatment Options
At Florida Direct Primary Care, we emphasize nonsurgical solutions first.
Conservative Care
Rest, activity modification, and proper footwear
Ice or heat for pain management
Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and restore stability
Bracing or taping for support
Medications & Injections
Anti-inflammatories or topical pain gels
Corticosteroid injections for arthritis or bursitis
Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid) for advanced arthritis
Cutting-edge options like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may also be discussed
Lifestyle and Weight Management
Here’s where our obesity medicine and weight loss services in St. Augustine play a key role. Every extra pound of body weight can add 4–6 pounds of pressure on the knee with each step. Helping patients lose even 5–10% of body weight often leads to dramatic improvements in knee pain, especially with arthritis.
Prevention: Keeping Your Knees Strong
Strength training: Focus on quads, hamstrings, and hips to stabilize the knee.
Healthy weight management: Protects the joint and reduces arthritis risk.
Supportive shoes: Crucial for runners, walkers, and active adults.
Warm-up and cool-down: Dynamic stretching before activity, gentle stretching after.
Listen to your body: Don’t push through sharp pain.
When to Seek Care
Schedule a visit if you experience:
Pain lasting more than a few weeks
Sudden swelling or locking of the knee
A popping sound followed by instability after injury
Difficulty bearing weight
Pain that interferes with work, exercise, or sleep
Uncertainty over if the injury is of significant concern
Final Thoughts
At Florida Direct Primary Care in St. Augustine, we combine primary care, sports medicine, obesity medicine, and weight loss expertise to treat knee pain from every angle. Our goal isn’t just to reduce pain—it’s to help you return to the activities you love, whether that’s playing sports, enjoying walks on the beach, or simply moving through daily life without discomfort.
If you’re struggling with knee pain, you don’t have to live with it. Reach out today to learn more about our practice and let’s work together to keep your knees healthy, strong, and pain-free.
Florida Direct Primary Care in St. Augustine
Dr. Bryant Wilson is a board certified internal medicine, sports medicine and obesity medicine physician at Florida Direct Primary Care who develops individualized treatment plans that promote overall health and wellness, tailored to each patient’s unique health needs and goals. If you’re in the St. Augustine area and looking for a primary care doctor, contact us to learn more about our practice. Visit FloridaDPC.com, email us at info@FloridaDPC.com, or call 904-650-2882.
This web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute the provision of medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating individual health problems or diseases. Those seeking medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.Ready to become a Florida DPC member? Click here to register.
