Knee pain is a common medical condition that affects people of all ages. It can happen due to injuries such as torn cartilage or a ruptured ligament. Various medical conditions such as arthritis, infections, and gout can also cause knee pain. Self-care measurements can help with minor knee pain or physical therapy and knee braces can help with knee pain. But in severe conditions, the knee requires surgical treatment.
Symptoms of Knee Pain
The pain and location of the knee may vary according to the cause of the problem. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of knee pain are:
- Weakness
- Stiffness and Swelling
- Weakness or Instability
- Not able to fully straighten the knee
- Crunching or popping noises
Cause of Knee Pain
Injuries, types of arthritis, mechanical injuries, and other problems are some of the major causes of knee pain.
Injuries
Through a knee injury, tendons or fluid-filled sacs surround bones as well as the bones, ligaments, cartilage, and the ligament forming the knee joint. Some of the most common knee injuries are:
1. Fractures
The bone of the knee, as well as the kneecap, can be broken or injured due to some accident or falls. Weaken bones due to osteoporosis can also cause fracture simply by stepping wrong.
2. ACL Injury
This injury happens due to a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)- which connects the thighbone and shinbone. An ACL injury is commonly seen in sports players who play basketball, soccer, and various other sports.
3. Knee Bursitis
Some knee injuries can cause inflammation in the bursae, which are small sacs of fluid that cover the outer part of your knee so that ligaments and tendons can glide smoothly.
4. Patellar Tendinitis
It causes irritation or inflammation in one or more tendons- the thick tissues that attach bones with muscles. People involved in jumping sports such as cyclists, skiers, and runners may develop a patellar tendon.
5. Torn Meniscus
The meniscus acts as a shock absorber for thighbone and shinbone and is made up of tough, ruby cartilage. It can damage if the knee is twisted suddenly while with weight on it.
Types of Arthritis
There are more than 100 types of arthritis but the most effective are:
1. Osteoarthritis
Sometimes called degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most well-known kind of joint pain. It’s a wear-and-tear condition that happens when the ligament in your knee breaks down with use and age.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis
The most incapacitating type of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system condition that can influence practically any joint in your body, including your knees. Albeit rheumatoid joint pain is a chronic illness, it will in general differ in seriousness and may even come and go.
3. Gout
This kind of arthritis happens when uric acid crystals develop in the joint. While gout most normally influences the big toe, it can also happen in the knee.
4. Pseudogout
Often confused with gout, Pseudogout is caused by calcium-containing crystals that develop in the joint liquid. Knees are the most widely recognized joint influenced by Pseudogout.
5. Septic arthritis
Sometimes your knee joint can get contaminated, prompting swelling, pain, and redness. Septic arthritis regularly happens with a fever, and there’s typically no injury before the beginning of pain. Septic arthritis can rapidly make extensive harm to the knee ligament. If you have knee pain with any of these indications, see your doctor immediately.
Mechanical Problems
1. Loose Body
Sometimes injury or degeneration of bone or ligament can cause a piece of bone or ligament to break off and float in the joint space. This may not make any issues except if the loose body interferes with knee joint development, in which case the impact is something like a pencil trapped in a door hinge.
2. Iliotibial Band Syndrome
This happens when the tough band of tissue that stretches out from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee (iliotibial band) turns out to be tight to such an extent that it rubs against the external segment of your femur. Distance runners and cyclists are particular patients of iliotibial band syndrome.
3. Dislocated Kneecap
This happens when the three-sided bone (patella) that covers the front of your knee slips out of the spot, typically to the outside of your knee. In some cases, the kneecap may remain dislodged and you’ll have the option to see the dislocation.
4. Hip or Foot Pain
If you have hip or foot pain, you may change how you walk to save these painful joints. But this modified walk can put more weight on your knee joint. Sometimes, problems in the hip or foot can cause knee pain.
Remedies of Knee Pain
Knee pain is a typical condition that can be brought about by both long-term and short-term issues. Some short-term knee issues do not need any assistance from specialists and individuals can regularly assist with their recovery. Home cures can also assist with large numbers of long-term issues with knee pain.
- Physical Activities
- Strengthening Exercises
- Posture and Support
- Weight Loss and Diet
- Medications
- Massage
- Aromatherapy Preparations
- Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (PRICE)
- Heat and Cold
- Climate
- Acupuncture
- Medical Marijuana
- Apple Cider Vinegar and Other Foods
About The Author
Nicole Hinton
Nicole is a freelancer & passionate blogger. She has 4+ years of experience in digital marketing and specialize in content writing, content marketing and organic search engine optimization. She has worked with many brands from Canada as well as the USA. Currently, she manages content marketing team of freelancers and doing their business efficiently.
