What is Knee Pain? Its Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

QI Spine Clinic, 1 month ago

Do you want to understand an overview of knee pain? If you want to know “what is knee pain?” and what are its main symptoms, then read on. Knee pain is a common problem faced by people all around the world. It is discomfort or pain felt in the knee joint. A knee joint forms a connection between the thighs and the lower legs. The knee joint supports your body weight. Therefore, knee pain is a common complaint. Knee pain should be properly diagnosed to get the best possible treatment. Knee pain can be mild or severe, depending on the cause. Knee pain may occur due to inflammation of muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the knee joint. It may also occur due to bones deep inside the joint. Knee pain may come and go. Some people feel pain when bending the knee joint or while moving, and it gets better with rest. Some people feel pain while getting up from bed in the morning, and it goes away during the day. Thus, it is important to diagnose the cause of the knee pain in order to get suitable treatment.

Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain may occur due to numerous reasons. Common causes of knee pain are:

• Arthritis: Arthritis of the knee joint is a common problem. It causes inflammation of the bones and muscles of the knee joint, due to which a person may experience stiffness, pain, and swelling of the knee.
• Injuries: Knee injuries are common in people who play sports. Injuries can also occur due to repetitive strain and traumas such as car accidents or falls. Knee pain can occur due to sprains, ligament tears, bone fractures, dislocations, and meniscus tears.
• Obesity: The knee joint provides support to the upper body and bears the entire body weight. Obese people are prone to suffer from knee pain due to increased body weight.
• Overuse: Many people overuse the knee joint while playing sports, doing exercise, and physical activities. Repetitive motion of the knee joint while jumping can cause knee pain.
• Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendon can also cause knee pain and swelling. Tendonitis can occur after an injury.

Symptoms of Knee Pain

The most important symptom of knee pain is pain in the knee joint. It may be mild to severe, depending on the damage or the cause. Other symptoms of knee pain include:

• Swelling around the joint may be present due to inflammation of the bones and muscles.
• The knee joint becomes stiff and becomes difficult to move, as slight movement can aggravate the pain.
• Sometimes, redness is also present due to inflammation of the tissues.

Treatment of Knee Pain

The treatment of knee pain depends on the cause. The orthopedic doctor will examine the knee joint and may order tests to determine the cause of knee pain. The treatment depends on the severity of the pain and its cause. In acute knee pain, you can take several measures at home to reduce pain:

• Avoid physical activity for one or two days and take rest. Getting proper rest will help heal the injury quickly.
• You can apply an ice pack or a cold compress for 15-20 minutes daily for one or two days to reduce swelling and stiffness. Avoid applying ice directly to the joint. You can wrap an ice pack in a towel or a cloth to apply it to the joint.
• Apply a compression bandage to the joint to reduce swelling. You can wrap a compression bandage around the joint to reduce blood flow and swelling.
• Elevation helps in reducing swelling of the knee joint. Elevate your knee above the heart level to reduce swelling.
• Medications: The doctor can give you medicines to reduce knee pain and swelling. Generally, NSAIDs are given to reduce pain and swelling in the knee.
• Braces: In some cases, the doctor may ask you to wear a knee brace to keep the knee in place. It helps to maintain the normal knee alignment.
• Physical therapy: If you are recovering from a knee injury or suffering from arthritis, then the doctor may recommend physical therapy. You have to contact a physiotherapist who can suggest the best physical exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve the stability of your knee joint.

Surgical treatment

Knee pain does not require surgery. However, if there are degenerative changes in the knee and conservative treatments do not help to relieve the pain and stiffness of the knee joint, the doctor may recommend surgery. Surgical treatments for knee pain include arthroscopy and knee replacement.

Preventive Care for Knee Pain

You can prevent knee pain by taking some precautions. You must stay safe while doing physical activity and playing sports. You can take the following preventive measures to avoid knee pain:

• Use the right protective equipment to prevent knee injury
• If your knee is hurting, avoid taking part in physical activities
• Take proper rest before going out for a strenuous physical activity
• Warm up your body correctly before doing any workout or playing a sport.
• Proper stretching and rest are also required after doing physical activity to cool down the body.
• Try to reduce body weight if you are overweight by doing proper exercises.

Conclusion

Knee pain is a common problem that may occur due to different reasons. It may be acute or severe. The intensity of the pain depends on the cause. Knee pain can be managed at home, but if home treatment does not give relief, you must consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Knee pain may occur due to arthritis, injuries, obesity, or overuse. Treatment of knee pain depends on the severity and cause. Therefore, an orthopaedic doctor can advise the best treatment for knee pain depending on the severity and cause.