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| Knee Pain Overview |
You should be aware of the following facts about knee pain.
· Knee pain can be caused by
a variety of factors, ranging from acute traumas to medical disorders.
· Knee pain can be limited to
a certain part of the knee or it can be widespread.
· Physical constraint is
frequently associated with knee pain.
· Knee pain is usually
diagnosed after a comprehensive physical examination.
· Knee pain is treated
differently depending on the underlying reason.
· Knee pain, even severe knee
pain, usually has a fair prognosis, though it may require surgery or other
procedures.
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| Anatomy illustration of the knee |
What is the definition of knee pain?
Pain can originate in any of the bone elements that
compromise the knee joint (femur, tibia, fibula), the kneecap (patella), or the
ligaments, tendons, and cartilage (meniscus). Physical exercise, as well as
weight, can increase knee pain. It can be influenced by the surrounding muscles
and their movements, as well as being induced by other issues (such as a foot
injury). Knee pain can afflict people of all ages, and unless it becomes
severe, home remedies can assist.
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| A female runner helps a male runner experiencing knee pain |
What symptoms and indicators do you look for when you have knee pain?
Depending on which structure is implicated, the
location of the knee pain can differ. The entire knee may be swollen and
painful as a result of an infection or inflammatory condition, but a torn
meniscus or a bone fracture causes symptoms only in one specific place.
Typically, a Baker cyst causes pain at the back of the knee.
Joint pain can range in severity from a little ache to a severe
and incapacitating discomfort.
Other symptoms and indicators associated with knee pain include:
- · Instability of the knee causes difficulty walking or bearing weight.
- · Due to pain, I'm limping
- · Due to ligament damage, it's difficult to walk up or down stairs (sprain)
- · Knee-lock (unable to bend the knee)
- · inflammation and redness
- · a lack of ability to extend one's knee
- ·
transferring weight to the
knee and foot on the opposing side.
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| X-ray of a tibial plateau fracture |
What causes knee pain in the first place?
Knee pain can be classified into three groups:
·
Acute injury: a shattered
bone, a torn ligament, or a meniscal tear are examples of acute injuries.
·
Rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis, and infections are all medical diseases.
·
Osteoarthritis,
chondromalacia, IT band syndrome, patellar syndromes, tendinitis, and bursitis
are all chronic use/overuse disorders.
A list of some of the most prevalent reasons of knee discomfort is provided below. This is not an exhaustive list; rather, it highlights a few of the most common causes of knee discomfort in each of the categories above.
Acute injury
One of the bones in the knee can break if it receives a
direct hit to the bony structure. This is typically a painful and visible knee
injury. The majority of knee fractures are not only painful, but also impair
the knee's ability to function properly (such as a kneecap fracture) or make it
difficult to bear weight (such as tibial plateau fracture). All fractures
require medical care right away. Many fractures need a great deal of force, and
a comprehensive examination is carried out to rule out any additional injuries.
Ligament injuries are the most prevalent. The ACL
(anterior cruciate ligament) is the most common. An ACL injury is frequently
caused by an abrupt stop and change of direction in sports. Injury to the
remaining ligaments (posterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament,
and medial collateral ligament) is rare.
Meniscus injuries the menisci (medial and
lateral): The menisci (medial and lateral) are cartilage shock absorbers that connect
the bones of the knee. The meniscus can be injured by twisting the knee.
Dislocation: A dislocated knee joint is a medical
emergency that demands rapid medical treatment. Knee dislocation can obstruct
blood flow to the leg and cause additional complications. When the knee
collides with the dashboard in a car collision, this injury is common.
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| A man with knee pain has trouble walking down the stairs |
·
Medical conditions
The autoimmune disease rheumatoid
arthritis can affect any joint in the body. It can result in significant
discomfort, impairment, and edema.
Gout is an arthritic condition that
most usually affects the big toe, but can also affect the knee. During acute
occurrences of gout, it tends to flare up and is exceedingly painful. The knee
can be pain-free if there is no flare-up.
The knee joint can become infected with septic arthritis (infectious arthritis), resulting in pain, edema, and fever. Antibiotics and drainage therapies should be started as soon as feasible.
·
Overuse/chronic use conditions
Patellar tendonitis is inflammation
of the tendons that connect the patella (kneecap) to the shinbone (the bone of
the lower leg). Patellar tendinitis is a chronic ailment that occurs when a
person repeatedly performs the same motion during activity (such as runners and
cyclists).
Degeneration or tension under the
kneecap (patella), where it joins the thighbone, causes patellofemoral pain
syndrome (femur). Runners and bikers are susceptible to patellofemoral pain
syndrome.
Osteoarthritis is a condition in
which the cartilage in the joints wears down as a result of use and aging.
Anterior knee pain can be caused by
inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac) in front of the kneecap.
·
Other reasons
Inflammation of the place of bone
insertion of the patellar tendon can occur in children (Osgood-Schlatter
disease).
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| A doctor examines a male patient with knee pain |
Biomechanics: The operation of the knee joint is
difficult, and it is used frequently throughout the day. Any alteration in the
joint's movement (leg length difference, change in walking style owing to back
difficulties) can produce minor changes in the joint's movement, resulting in
pain and injury.
Excess weight puts a greater strain on the knee
joint. Obesity raises the risk of knee osteoarthritis by hastening the
breakdown of cartilage.
Overuse of cartilage during repetitive motions, such
as jogging or skiing, or work conditions (long periods of kneeling), can cause
cartilage disintegration and pain.
When should you go to the doctor if you have knee pain?
Any discomfort that does not go away after a few days or does not respond to rest should be checked by a doctor. Swelling, inability to bend, deformity, difficulty to walk or discomfort when walking, considerable pain, and fever are all symptoms and indicators that should be evaluated by a doctor.
What techniques and tests are used to determine the cause of knee pain?
A health care practitioner will first inquire about the
person's general health before focusing on the nature of the knee discomfort
(how long, how severe, does anything make it feel better or worse, etc.).
Following that, a knee examination will be performed. This
will entail bending the knee through its full range of motion, inspecting the
ligaments for stability, and assessing any soreness or edema. Comparing the
results of the sore knee's examination with the results of the other knee's
examination is frequently beneficial. This is frequently all that is needed to
make a diagnosis and begin treatment. An skilled examiner has been determined
to be as reliable as an X-ray examination in various research studies.
The doctor may wish to do further tests, such as the ones
listed below.
·
Radiologic examinations
An X-ray of the knee might reveal
fractures and degenerative changes.
An MRI scan is utilized to look for
ligament tears, cartilage damage, and muscular injuries in the soft tissues of
the knee.
·
Tests on the blood
A health care practitioner may prescribe blood testing if gout, arthritis, or other medical disorders are suspected.
·
Joint fluid is removed
(arthrocentesis)
The evacuation of a little amount
of fluid from the knee joint can help detect some problems. A tiny needle is
inserted into your joint and fluid is extracted during arthrocentesis. This is
carried out in a sterile manner. After that, the fluid is submitted to a
laboratory for analysis. This test is especially useful if an infected knee
joint is suspected, or if you want to distinguish between gout and other types
of arthritis. If a traumatic injury has caused a buildup of blood in the joint,
draining the fluid can help ease the discomfort.
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| A physical therapist manipulates the knee of a female patient. |
What kinds of doctors deal with knee pain?
Knee pain is frequently diagnosed and managed by your primary care physician. An orthopedic surgeon will usually be called if the knee discomfort necessitates surgery or if the origin of the pain requires further investigation. A rheumatologist may be visited if you have arthritis, gout, or inflammatory joint disorders.
What are the options for knee pain treatment?
Knee pain treatments are as varied as the ailments that
might cause it.
Medications
Prescription medications may be provided to address an
underlying medical problem or to relieve pain.
If you take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain
relievers for your knee pain on a frequent basis, you should see your doctor to
be assessed.
Physiotherapy
Physical therapy sessions to strengthen the muscles around
the knee can sometimes help it become more stable and ensure the optimal
mechanical movement. Working with a physical therapist might help you avoid
becoming hurt or making an existing injury worse.
Injections
In some cases, injecting drugs directly into your knee may
be beneficial. Corticosteroids and lubricants are the two most common
injections. Injections of corticosteroids can help with arthritis and other
knee inflammations. They normally have to be done every few months or so.
Lubricants that are similar to the fluid that already exists in your knee joint
can aid movement and reduce pain.
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| Model of a knee replacement with titanium hinge joint |
Surgery
Knee surgeries include everything from arthroscopic surgery
to total knee replacement. Arthroscopic knee surgery is a standard surgical
procedure that involves a few small holes and a fiberoptic camera to allow the
doctor to see the interior of your knee. Many of the injuries can be repaired,
and small portions of loose bone or cartilage can be removed. This is a routine
procedure that can be done as an outpatient.
A surgeon replaces the damaged elements of the knee with
plastic and metal parts in a partial knee replacement. This treatment has a
shorter recovery time than a total knee replacement since just portion of the
knee joint is replaced.
The knee is replaced with an artificial joint in a total
knee replacement procedure.
Other treatments: Knee pain has been relieved by acupuncture, particularly in people with osteoarthritis. In research trials, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements have yielded inconsistent benefits.
What are some natural home cures for knee pain?
Pain can often be relieved by over-the-counter pain
relievers. If someone is taking these medications on a regular basis, he or she
should see a health care professional to evaluate the knee pain for proper
diagnosis and to avoid the potential side effects of chronic medication use.
The RICE mnemonic, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression,
and Elevation, is quite useful, especially for mild injuries:
Rest the joint and take a vacation from the activities that
normally involve the knee joint.
Ice can be used to relieve pain and inflammation.
Compression: Using a compression bandage to assist minimize
swelling and improve knee alignment is a good idea. It should not be too tight
and should be taken off before going to bed.
Elevate: Elevating the knee can aid with swelling and resting.
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| A female ices her knee to relieve pain |
What are some of the side effects of knee pain?
Knee discomfort frequently goes away without a clear cause
being identified. The condition might progress and lead to more serious
injuries or problems, depending on the underlying source of the discomfort.
These problems are usually long-term and result in greater discomfort or
increased walking difficulty.
Is it possible to avoid knee pain?
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors. As a result, depending on the underlying cause, numerous strategies for pain prevention exist. If the pain is caused by overuse, running on soft surfaces or reducing the amount of time spent running can assist. Traumatic injuries can be avoided by avoiding any direct knee injuries and wearing a seatbelt. Many different types of knee pain can be helped by losing weight.
Is it possible for knee pain to return after treatment?
Knee pain usually only lasts a few days and then goes away.
It can come back a few weeks or months later in some cases. To minimize further
damage to cartilage, bones, or ligaments, it's critical to get chronic knee
discomfort assessed. The prognosis is determined by the pain's underlying
causes.
Many knee pain symptoms can be relieved with contemporary
surgical methods, allowing you to resume an active lifestyle.
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source : medicinenet
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