It is common to have knee pain. Though people of all ages suffer from this pain, those who are aging may complain more frequently. It can be brought on by various conditions, from muscular strain or tendinopathy to arthritis. Particularly if you are an athlete playing sports that require jumping or fast pivots, your risk of developing knee pain increases.
If you are suffering from knee pain and are worried about it, you must know that it is completely manageable and treatable, whether knee pain is brought on by aging or an injury. To get rid of this crippling pain, know more about Knee pain causes and treatment. Seek medical consultation, and you can get back to your active lifestyle!
Knee Pain Causes_ Aging or Injury?
Knee pain causes and treatment are interdependent. It can only be treated if the cause is known. Let’s see which factors contribute to knee pain causes:
Knee Pain Risk Factors
The following factors increase the risk of knee pain:
- Excess weight
Being obese puts more strain on your knee joints. By hastening the degeneration of joint cartilage, it increases your risk of osteoarthritis, causing severe knee pain.
- Loose body
A fragment of bone or cartilage may occasionally break off and float in the joint space due to damage or deterioration. This might not be a problem unless the loose body restricts the movement of the knee joints, in which case the result is similar to a pencil stuck in a door hinge.
- Iliotibial band syndrome
This happens when the thigh bone’s outer surface is rubbed against by the iliotibial band, a tight band of tissue that runs from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee. Iliotibial band syndrome is more common in cyclists and distance runners.
- Knee cap not tracking well
This happens when the patella (knee cap), a triangular bone covering the front of your knee, slides out of position, usually to the outside of your knee. This tendency to slide out causes increased friction, inflammation and knee pain.
- Lack of muscle flexibility or strength
A lack of strength and flexibility might increase injury risk to the knees. Your joints are stabilized and protected by strong muscles, yet a full range of motion is possible thanks to flexible muscles.
- Hip or foot pain
You can alter your gait to spare your bothersome joint if you experience foot or hip pain. However, this altered gait may put extra strain on your knees, leading to discomfort.
- Certain sports or occupations
Your knees are more likely to be strained during some sports than others. Your risk of knee injuries is increased by activities such as contact sports like basketball, which involves hops and pivots, court games, which involves sudden stops, and running. Construction and farming work and other occupations that put repetitive strain on the knees can increase your likelihood of knee pain.
Knee Pain Due To Injuries
Injuries can cause knee pain. This pain is a signal which indicates that it’s time for your knee evaluation and treatment. The following injuries cause knee pain:
- Fractures
In any accident, the knee’s bones can break, particularly the patella (knee cap). Additionally, patients with osteoporosis may occasionally suffer a knee fracture from a simple misstep.
- Torn meniscus
Between your shinbone and thighbone is a firm, rubbery cartilage called the meniscus that serves as a stress absorber. It may tear if you suddenly twist your knee while standing on it. That produces a sensation of pain. In some cases, a torn meniscus may get stuck, and lead to a sensation of locking.
- ACL injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can be torn. People who engage in sports requiring quick changes in direction are more likely to sustain ACL damage. They often report a ‘pop’ sound, followed by pain and swelling. Often they are unable to continue the activity. Even after the acute episode subsides, patients continue to feel that the knee is loose.
- Bursitis
The bursae, the little sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint so that tendons and ligaments may move easily across the joint, can become inflamed due to several knee injuries. This inflammation brought on by repeated pressure, such as through protracted kneeling, overuse, or injury, causes knee pain.
- Patellar tendinitis
The thick fibers that connect muscles to bones through tendons experience irritation and inflammation due to tendinitis. The patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone and enables you to run, leap, and kick, can become injured and cause this irritation. Patellar tendinitis can occur in runners, skiers, bikers, and those who participate in jumping sports and hobbies.
- Any Previous injury
A prior knee injury increases your risk of suffering another knee injury.
Knee Pain Due To Other Medical Conditions
You might suffer knee pain due to other medical conditions:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
It is an inflammatory type of arthritis and an autoimmune disorder that can damage virtually any joint, including your knees. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience knee pain. Many rheumatoid patients also experience involvement of other joints, such as the wrists and hands.
- Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. If the body produces too much uric acid or the kidneys are unable to remove it from the blood effectively, it can accumulate and form crystals in the joints, leading to gout. Gout most commonly affects the joint at the base of the big toe, but it can also affect other joints, such as the ankles, knees, and wrists. It causes sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint. Gout can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding certain foods and drinks and maintaining a healthy weight.
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in adolescents, especially during periods of growth. It occurs when the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone (tibia), becomes inflamed and pulls on the growth plate at the top of the tibia. This can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness around the kneecap. The condition is more common in boys than girls and is usually seen in active adolescents who participate in sports that involve running, jumping, and kneeling. It usually resolves on its own with rest and physical therapy.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Those who suffer from patellofemoral pain syndrome frequently have pain in or near the kneecap. The most common causes of pain are climbing stairs, running, squatting, cycling, and sitting with bent knees when suffering from this syndrome.
- Osteoarthritis
It is often referred to as degenerative arthritis; It develops when your knee cartilage ages and deteriorates from use.
- Baker cyst
A fluid-filled swelling behind the knee is known as a “Baker cyst”. It can develop with swelling (inflammation) from other causes, such as arthritis.
- Pseudogout
Pseudogout is brought on by calcium-containing crystals that form in the synovial fluid. The knees are the joint that pseudogout most frequently affects.
- Septic arthritis
Your knee joint may occasionally get infected, resulting in swelling, discomfort, and redness. When septic arthritis first manifests, a fever is frequently present, and there is typically no prior injury. The knee cartilage can suffer severe damage very quickly due to septic arthritis. It causes severe knee pain and needs urgent medical consultation.
- Infection
Infection in the bones or knee joint can also cause knee pain.
Treatment For Knee Pain
Knee pain can be treated completely with advanced medical techniques. Your doctor will assess if your current activities contribute to the condition. Conservative measures include weight reduction, modification of activity, use of assistive devices to offload the affected knee. A good discussion with your doctor who understands your knee pain will help you understand the current state of your knee, the cause of the pain, contributing factors, and allow you to ask any questions you may have. Other treatment modalities include:
Medications For Knee Pain
To treat the ailments causing your knee discomfort, your doctor may prescribe drugs to help with pain relief.
Physiotherapy For Knee Pain
Depending on what caused your knee discomfort and where it hurts, physiotherapy can relieve it. A physiotherapist can offer guidance that is specific to your circumstances. Your knee will become more stable if the muscles surrounding it are strengthened.
Injections For Knee Pain
The doctor might advise injecting drugs or other chemicals right into your joint in certain circumstances, i.e;
i-Corticosteroids
ii-Hyaluronic acid
iii-Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Surgery For Knee Pain
You must opt for surgery if you are facing severe knee problems like an ACL tear. Delay in such cases might hurt your knee more. Following are the types of surgery doctors might recommend you:
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Partial knee replacement surgery
- Total knee replacement
- Osteotomy
Take Care Of Your Knee
It is very important to know about Knee pain causes and treatment and to be smart about your movements. Take care of your body. Keep your routine active and healthy. There is no substitute for good health.
If you feel pain in your knee or want to consult about your health, Orthopaedic Clinic Singapore is just a call away.Contact knee specialist Singapore, schedule your appointment and visit Hip & Knee Orthopaedics Singapore for complete and satisfactory treatment.
