The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in our body. The knee joint is prone to injuries that can cause pain. The knees are particularly often injured while running. Let's look at the main causes and treatments for knee pain.
Knee pain symptoms
The symptoms of knee pain depend on the cause and severity. Knee pain is a common problem.
Knee pain can come on suddenly with too much stress and injury.
There can often be instability or weakness in the knees - up to and including a feeling that the legs are giving way.
Depending on the cause of the pain, other symptoms may be observed: stiffness of movement, cracking in the knee, entrapment of the knee joint in one position, inability to straighten the leg.
How does knee pain affect us?
Knee pain is more common in the elderly, overweight (due to increased stress on the joints) and during exercise. Knee joints are actively involved in locomotion, so knee pain has a huge impact on our lives. With knee pain we cannot do sports, we find walking and climbing stairs difficult.
The knee joint is made up of three bones, tendons that connect muscles to bones, and ligaments that stabilize and connect the bones. In the cavity of the knee joint there are two C-shaped cartilages - menisci. Their main job is to cushion the joint. The fluid-filled bursa allows the joint to move smoothly.
80% of the respondents suffered from knee pain.
Why knee pain occurs
Knee pain is often caused by injuries (sprains and tendons, dislocations, torn ligaments or menisci) as well as osteoarthritis, tendinitis (tendinitis) and bursitis (fluid accumulation in the bursa).
Sports injuries
Knee injuries are common among athletes. They often have a torn knee ligament with sudden knee pain. Excessive strain on the knee joint, such as running, walking, jumping and cycling, can cause what is known as a "runner's knee" (iliotibial tract friction syndrome). It usually manifests itself as pain in the kneecap area and is caused by overuse, injury, leg bone diseaseor causing muscle weakness.
Different reasons
Knee injuries can develop gradually with osteoarthritis. If a person has a gait disorder due to problems with the hip or ankle joints, this in turn can lead to an asymmetry in the load on the knee joints, which in turn is fraught with injuries. Knee injuries, even minor ones, increase the likelihood of similar injuries in the future.
Identify the cause of the pain
Pain in the side of the knee can be caused by an injury to the ligaments and a tear in the meniscus (the layer of cartilage that stabilizes the joint). Front knee pain is usually due to bursitis and cartilage problems. Osteoarthritis can cause pain in the back of the knee.
treatment
How knee pain is diagnosed and treated depends on the cause of the pain. To determine this, you need to consult a doctor. The doctor will examine your knee, check its movement, swelling, bruising, and localized fever. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy and a knee brace to relieve pain, refer you for additional tests (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or CT), show you exercises to strengthen your knee, and prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and treat its cause. In addition, after consulting a doctor at home, you can protect and soothe the injured knee, apply ice, apply a compression bandage, and keep the knee in an elevated position. Over-the-counter pain relievers for internal and external use can help relieve short-term moderate pain and reduce inflammation.
What is runner knee syndrome?
Knee injuries are common in athletes involved in athletics, especially running.
Runner knee syndrome includes the following symptoms:
- Pain behind or around the kneecap (patella).
- Pain when bending the knee.
- The pain gets worse when walking downhill or climbing stairs.
- Swelling in the knee area.
- A clicking or grinding sound may be felt in the knee.
Treatments include rest and taking anti-inflammatory drugs
Exercises for knee pain
Knee pain is common: out of 100 people who complained of pain, 80 reported knee pain. Three simple exercises will help make the muscles that support your knee stronger and more flexible. By doing these exercises regularly, you can prevent or relieve knee pain.