Knee Pain Doctor in San Francisco: Who to See and When

It depends on how the pain started. For a sudden injury with a pop, fast swelling, locking or a knee that gives way, see an orthopedist or sports medicine physician first. For pain that built up gradually, such as runner’s knee, tendon pain or an arthritis flare, a conservative-care provider like a chiropractor who treats knees, a physical therapist or a sports medicine doctor is a sensible first stop. If you are unsure, a knee exam will tell you which path fits, and we refer out when imaging or a specialist is needed.

They do different jobs. An orthopedist diagnoses structural damage, orders imaging, gives injections and performs surgery when it is needed. A chiropractor who treats knees focuses on non-surgical care: joint mobility, soft tissue, the hip, ankle and foot mechanics that load the knee, and in-office therapies such as Knee on Trac, shockwave and Graston. Many people start with conservative care and see an orthopedist if the exam points to a tear or the knee is not progressing.

Yes. Chiropractors trained in extremity care treat many common knee problems, including patellofemoral pain, tendon pain, IT band irritation and arthritis-related stiffness. At TruSpine that care combines hands-on treatment with Knee on Trac, shockwave therapy, Graston technique and a home exercise plan. See why your knee hurts for the causes behind it.

Minor strains often settle within one to two weeks with rest, ice and easier activity. Book an exam if pain lasts more than two weeks, keeps coming back, wakes you at night, or makes stairs, squatting or walking hard. Seek care the same day for major swelling, a knee you cannot put weight on, a visible deformity, or a hot, red, swollen joint with a fever.

Injuries such as ligament sprains and meniscus tears, osteoarthritis, overuse problems like runner’s knee, patellar tendon pain and IT band syndrome, muscle imbalances around the hip and thigh, extra body weight, and alignment issues in the foot or hip that change how force travels through the knee.

Knee on Trac is a knee decompression device. It gently opens the space inside the knee joint while you rest, which can ease pressure and stiffness in arthritic and overloaded knees. At TruSpine it is used as part of a broader plan with hands-on care and exercise rather than on its own. You can download our free Knee on Trac guide on this page.

Shockwave therapy delivers acoustic pulses into irritated tendons and soft tissue. It is used for stubborn tendon problems around the knee, such as patellar tendinopathy and IT band irritation, to stimulate the body’s repair response. It is non-invasive and sessions are short. Learn more about shockwave therapy.

Graston is an instrument-assisted soft tissue technique that uses stainless steel tools to work through restricted muscle and fascia. Around the knee it is used for the quadriceps, IT band, hamstrings and calf. Read Graston technique for knee pain.

Chiropractic care cannot reverse arthritis, but it can help many people move more comfortably. Treatment focuses on joint mobility, strength around the knee and hip, and therapies such as Knee on Trac that ease joint pressure. If your knee needs injections or a surgical opinion, we will tell you and refer you. More on osteoarthritis of the knee.

A normal X-ray or MRI does not mean the pain is imaginary. Imaging shows bone and structure, but it often misses movement problems, soft tissue irritation and stress coming from the hip, ankle or foot. A hands-on movement exam can find those, and they usually respond to conservative care.

It can. Each extra pound adds several pounds of load across the knee with every step, which speeds up wear in arthritic knees. Even modest weight loss reduces that load. TruSpine also offers medical weight loss for patients who want support with that side of knee health.

Yes. Non-surgical options include targeted strengthening, mobility work, chiropractic care, acupuncture, shockwave therapy, soft tissue work, supportive footwear or custom orthotics, and weight management. Most people do best with a combination rather than one treatment.

Most knee pain from overuse, muscle imbalance and soft tissue irritation improves with the right care. Arthritis changes in the joint do not reverse, but symptoms often become much more manageable. Pain from a significant tear may need a surgical opinion. Your exam will show which group you are in.

Your first chiropractic visit takes about 30 to 40 minutes. We go over your history, test how your knee, hip, ankle and foot move and load, and check for anything that needs imaging or a referral. Then we explain what we found and recommend a plan. When it is appropriate, treatment can start the same day.

For most people, yes. Care for the knee is gentle and is adapted to your age, activity level and any arthritis. If your exam shows signs of a serious tear, fracture, infection or a problem outside our scope, we refer you to the right specialist instead of treating it.

No. You can book directly online or by calling (415) 421-1115. We work with many in-network and out-of-network insurance plans, and our team can help you check your benefits before your visit.

Look for a provider who examines the whole leg rather than only the knee, explains what they find, offers more than one treatment option, and refers out when imaging or surgery needs to be considered. Reviews from patients with similar problems are useful too. TruSpine is at 50 Francisco Street in North Beach, with a 5.0 rating from 272 Google reviews.

Yes, and it is one of the most common causes we see. Weak hip and glute muscles, tight quadriceps or IT band, and poor ankle mobility change how the kneecap tracks and how force passes through the joint. Fixing those imbalances is often what keeps knee pain from coming back.