Knee pain is common and can affect people of all ages, though it is more heard of in those who are aging. It can result from various conditions, including muscular strain, tendinopathy or arthritis. Athletes who participate in sports that require jumping or quick pivots are at a higher risk of developing knee pain due to common knee injuries.
If you are experiencing knee pain and feeling concerned, rest assured that it is completely manageable and treatable, whether caused by aging or an injury. To alleviate discomfort, learn more about the causes and treatment of knee pain. By seeking medical consultation for a proper diagnosis and effective treatment, you can better and faster regain your active lifestyle.
Speaking with an orthopaedic specialist like us at Hip & Knee Orthopaedics lets you explore both surgical and non-surgical treatments to reduce pain, restore muscle strength, and facilitate recovery, enabling you to return to daily activities with ease.
Knee Pain Causes: Aging or Injury?
The causes and treatment of knee pain are interdependent. This means they can only be effectively treated by identifying the underlying cause. Let’s take a look at the key factors that contribute to knee pain:
Knee Pain Risk Factors
The following factors increase the risk of knee pain:
Excess Body Weight
Being overweight places excessive strain on your knee joints. Putting weight on the knee hastens the degeneration of joint cartilage, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis, often leading to severe pain.
Loose Body
Occasionally, a fragment of bone or cartilage may break off and float within the joint space due to damage or deterioration. This might not be a problem unless the loose body restricts the movement of the knee joint, in which case the result is similar to a pencil stuck in a door hinge.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
This happens when the iliotibial band, a tight band of tissue running from the outside of the hip to the outside of the knee, rubs against the outer surface of the thigh bone. Iliotibial band syndrome is more common in cyclists and distance runners.
Knee Cap Not Tracking Well
This occurs when the patella (kneecap), a triangular bone covering the front of the knee, slides out of position, usually towards the outside of the knee. The misalignment increases friction, leading to inflammation and knee pain.
Lack of Muscle Flexibility or Strength
A lack of strength and flexibility can increase the risk of knee injuries. On the other hand, strong muscles stabilise and protect the joints, while flexible muscles allow for a full range of motion.
Hip or Foot Pain
If you experience foot or hip pain, you may unconsciously alter your gait to relieve pressure on the affected joint. However, this change in walking pattern can place extra strain on your knees, potentially leading to discomfort.
Certain Sports or Occupations
Certain sports put more strain on your knees than others. Activities like contact sports, such as basketball, which involve jumps and pivots, court games with sudden stops and running, all increase your risk of knee injuries. Occupations like construction and farming, which involve repetitive strain on the knees, can also heighten the likelihood of knee pain.
Knee Pain Due to Injuries
Injuries can cause knee pain, acting as a sign that it’s time for a knee evaluation and knee injuries treatment. The following injuries, whether a sudden injury or overuse injuries, can lead to knee pain.
Fractures
In any accident, the bones in the knee can break, particularly the patella (kneecap). Patients with osteoporosis may also experience a knee fracture from something as simple as a misstep.
Meniscus Tear
Between your shinbone and thighbone is a firm, rubbery cartilage called the meniscus which serves as a shock absorber. It may tear if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it, causing pain. In some cases, a torn meniscus may become lodged, leading to a sensation of locking. Meniscus injuries are common in sports that involve twisting and turning, like skiing.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can tear, also particularly in people who participate in sports that require quick changes in direction. Those with an ACL injury often report hearing a ‘pop’ sound followed by pain and swelling. Most times they are unable to continue the activity. Even after the initial pain and swelling subside, patients may continue to feel that the knee is loose or unstable.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) forms part of knee ligament injuries, affecting the back of the knee rather than the front. Like ACL injuries, PCL tears occur due to severe knee trauma, but the PCL is more resistant to force, making injuries less common. Thus, PCL injuries are considered more complex to evaluate.
Knee Bursitis
The bursae are small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint, allowing tendons and ligaments to move easily across the joint. These bursae can become inflamed due to various knee injuries, with inflammation often brought on by repeated pressure, such as protracted kneeling, overuse or injury. Symptoms of knee bursitis include swelling and sometimes pain.
Patellar Tendinitis
The thick fibres that connect muscles to bones through tendons can become irritated and inflamed due to tendinitis. The patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone and allows you to run, jump and kick, is susceptible to injury and irritation. Patellar tendinitis is common in runners, skiers, bikers, and individuals who participate in jumping sports and activities.
Any Previous Injury
A prior knee injury naturally increases your risk of suffering from another knee injury.
Knee Pain Due to Other Medical Conditions
You might suffer knee pain due to other medical conditions, such as:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis and an autoimmune disorder that can damage almost any joint, including the knees. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience knee pain, as well as joint damage in other areas of the body, 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 knee condition in adolescents, especially during periods of growth. It occurs when the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (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 typically seen in active adolescents who participate in sports involving 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 often experience pain in or around the kneecap. The pain typically can be felt at the front of the knee and develops gradually. The most common causes of pain include climbing stairs, running, squatting, cycling and sitting with bent knees while dealing with this syndrome. Treatment often involves methods for knee pain relief and improving function, like pain relievers, switching to low-impact activities and ice therapy.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of chronic knee pain, especially in older adults. As a degenerative joint disease, it is often referred to as degenerative arthritis. It develops when your knee cartilage ages and deteriorates from wear and tear. Severe pain and limited mobility may be experienced with severe osteoarthritis, which wears away much of the joint.
Baker Cyst
A fluid-filled swelling behind the knee is known as a Baker Cyst. It can develop as a result of swelling or inflammation from other conditions, such as arthritis.
Pseudogout
Pseudogout is caused by the formation of calcium-containing crystals in the synovial fluid. The knees are the joints most commonly affected by pseudogout.
Septic Arthritis
Your knee joint may occasionally become infected, inducing swelling, pain and redness. When septic arthritis first develops, a fever is often present, and there is typically no prior injury. Septic arthritis can cause rapid and severe damage to the knee cartilage. It results in intense knee pain and requires urgent medical attention.
Infection
Infection in the bones or knee joint can also cause knee pain.
Treatment for Knee Pain
Knee pain can be effectively treated with advanced medical techniques. Your doctor will assess whether your current activities are contributing to the condition. Conservative measures include weight reduction, activity modification, and the use of assistive devices to offload the affected knee. A thorough discussion and physical examination with a doctor who understands your knee pain will help you understand the current state of your knee, the cause of the pain, contributing factors, and provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions. Other treatment options include:
Medications for Knee Pain
Drugs help with reducing pain during treatment and during the recovery process.
Physiotherapy for Knee Pain
Depending on the cause and location of your knee discomfort, physiotherapy can help relieve pain. A physiotherapist can provide guidance that is specific to your circumstances. Your knee will become more stable if the muscles surrounding it are strengthened; physiotherapy can be beneficial for both tendon injuries and bone injuries.
Injections for Knee Pain
The doctor might advise injecting drugs or other chemicals right into your joint in certain circumstances, such as:
- Corticosteroids
- Hyaluronic acid
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Surgery for Knee Pain
You may need to opt for knee surgery if you are experiencing severe knee problems, such as an ACL tear. Delaying treatment in such cases can worsen the condition and cause further damage to the knee. The following are types of surgery that doctors might recommend, ranging from minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopic surgery to more complex options like joint replacement surgery.
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Partial knee replacement surgery
- Total knee replacement
- Osteotomy
Take Care of Your Knee
It is very important to understand the causes of knee pain and its treatment, as well as to be mindful of your movements. Take care of your body by maintaining an active and healthy routine. Remember, there is no substitute for good health.
If you feel pain in your knee or want to consult about your health, Hip & Knee Orthopaedics is just a call away. Contact our knee specialists to schedule an appointment and visit us for a complete and satisfactory treatment. Whether it is to manage pain, restore mobility, or to prevent injuries, we are here to help.
