How to prepare for a telemedicine visit about Knee Pain

Audience: adult

If you have knee pain, a telemedicine visit can be a helpful first step to understand your symptoms and get advice on care. During the visit, a healthcare provider will ask about your pain, how it started, and any other symptoms you have. You may be asked to show your knee on camera and perform simple movements to check how it moves. Telemedicine works well for many common knee issues, such as mild injuries or ongoing pain without severe symptoms. However, if your knee pain is sudden, severe, or accompanied by swelling, redness, or difficulty moving, you may need in-person care. Preparing for your telemedicine visit by gathering your medical history and any recent tests can help the appointment go smoothly. After the visit, follow your provider’s advice and watch for any warning signs that need urgent care.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe knee pain that prevents you from walking or bearing weight — seek emergency care immediately.
• Sudden swelling, redness, warmth, or fever with knee pain — may indicate infection, get urgent medical evaluation.
• Inability to move or bend your knee after an injury — requires prompt in-person assessment.

What telemedicine can do

• Mild to moderate knee pain without severe symptoms.
• Follow-up for chronic knee conditions.
• Initial assessment of minor injuries or pain.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Severe pain with inability to move the knee.
• Signs of infection such as redness, warmth, swelling, or fever.
• Acute injuries with deformity or suspected fractures.

What to Expect During Your Telemedicine Visit

Your healthcare provider will ask about your knee pain, including when it started, what makes it better or worse, and any injuries. They may ask you to move your knee in certain ways to check its function and look for swelling or redness using your camera. This helps them understand your condition and decide the next steps.

When Telemedicine Is a Good Option for Knee Pain

Telemedicine is often suitable for mild to moderate knee pain without severe symptoms. It can help with follow-up visits, managing chronic knee conditions, or assessing minor injuries. It allows you to get advice quickly without traveling to a clinic.

When You Should Seek In-Person Care

If you have severe knee pain, cannot move your knee, notice swelling, redness, warmth, or fever, or if the pain follows a major injury, you should seek in-person medical care promptly. These signs may indicate a serious problem that needs physical examination or imaging tests.

How to Prepare for Your Telemedicine Visit

Before your visit, find a quiet place with good lighting and a stable internet connection. Have any previous medical records, imaging results, or medication lists ready. Wear clothing that allows easy access to your knee. Be prepared to describe your symptoms clearly and follow instructions to show your knee on camera.

After Your Telemedicine Visit

Follow your provider’s advice about medications, exercises, or follow-up tests. Monitor your knee for any worsening symptoms or new warning signs. If your condition does not improve or gets worse, seek in-person care as recommended.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Choose a quiet, well-lit location with a stable internet connection.
• Have your medical history and any recent knee imaging or test results ready.
• Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your knee.
• Prepare to describe your symptoms clearly, including when they started and what affects them.
• Have a list of current medications available.
• Ensure your device’s camera and microphone are working properly.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions for medications or exercises.
• Schedule any recommended follow-up appointments or tests.
• Monitor your knee for worsening symptoms or new red flags.
• Seek in-person care if symptoms worsen or red flags appear.
• Keep a record of any changes in your symptoms for future visits.

FAQs

Can a doctor diagnose the cause of my knee pain over a video call?

A doctor can often assess your symptoms and guide you during a telemedicine visit, but some conditions may require physical exams or imaging tests done in person for a full diagnosis.

What should I do if my knee pain gets worse after the telemedicine visit?

If your pain worsens, or you develop new symptoms like swelling, redness, or fever, contact your healthcare provider promptly or seek in-person care as advised.

Will I need imaging tests like X-rays during a telemedicine visit?

Imaging tests usually cannot be done during a telemedicine visit, but your provider may order them for you to get done locally if needed.

How can I show my knee properly during a video visit?

Wear clothing that exposes your knee, position your device so the camera shows your knee clearly, and follow your provider’s instructions to move or point to areas of pain.

Sources

1. Knee Pain — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Knee Pain: Causes and Treatments — Mayo Clinic.
3. Musculoskeletal Conditions — World Health Organization.
4. Telehealth: Delivering Care Safely During COVID-19 — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If you experience severe symptoms or red flags, seek immediate medical attention.