The knee is essential for your mobility and day-to-day activities. It facilitates walking, running, jumping, and more. Unlike other joints, the knee contains several ligaments and tendons vulnerable to severe injuries. Individuals suffering from knee problems often experience significant discomfort and mobility limitations. Even a slight provocation to the knee can cause immense pain and difficulty in movement.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the knees. It occurs due to the gradual degeneration of the knee joints with age and usage over time. This wearing down of the protective cushion of the knee joint cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other. As a result, they become inflamed, causing stiffness and discomfort.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include inflammation of the knee joint, stiffness, pain, and swelling. At times, the knee joint may emit a crunching noise. Age, obesity, and joint injuries are some key factors that contribute to the onset of osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects knee joints. The joint lining becomes inflamed, resulting in pain and swelling in the knee. The body’s immune system mistakenly targets the synovium (protective lining around the knee joint), thickening and losing excessive synovial fluid. Ultimately, it leads to reduced mobility. Signs of rheumatoid arthritis include joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. Experts believe it is connected to genetic and environmental factors such as infections.
Patellar Tendinitis
This problem results from inflammation in the tendon that connects the knee joint with the lower leg bones. It occurs due to knee overuse; frequent jumping, running, and overexertion. Other factors contributing to patellar tendinitis include tight hamstring and calf muscles, weak thigh muscles, or misaligned kneecaps.
Patellar tendinitis symptoms include tenderness, swelling, and a feeling of warmth around the knee joint. You may experience pain when walking up and down stairs, standing up, or when jumping and running.
Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a cushion-like disc that sits between the bones in your knee joint. It works as a shock absorber and stabilizes the knee joint as well. A meniscus tear occurs when there is an inflammation in this rubber-like cartilage disc. The tear occurs due to activities that increase pressure on the knee joint, such as twisting or pivoting. Aging can also wear down the meniscus, cursing it to become brittle over time. Common symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty straightening the knee.
ACL Tear
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a knee injury that occurs when there is a tear in the ligament connecting the thigh bone and the shin bone. Football, basketball, and soccer players experience this tear more frequently. ACL tears also occur due to sudden, twisting movements or an unexpected blow to the knee. Female athletes are more vulnerable to ACL tears than male athletes. The symptoms of an ACL tear include sudden, sharp pain in the knee, swelling, tenderness, and difficulty in movement.
Knee Pain Remedy
Strengthening Exercises for the Knees
Strengthening exercises improve the muscles surrounding the knee joint. They support the knee joint structure, reducing bone and cartilage stress. Such exercises include leg extensions, wall squats, and hamstring curls can all help build these muscles. If you’re experiencing knee pain, consult a doctor or a physical therapist before starting any corrective exercise.
Low-Impact Exercise
Low-impact exercises do not compress the knees or joints, thus reducing the risk of injury. Examples of such activities include swimming, cycling, and walking. These exercises can help to maintain cardiovascular fitness without putting excess stress on one’s knees. They also improve muscle strength and flexibility around the knee joint.
Rest and Ice
Rest and ice are effective in managing knee pain. You should rest from any activities that cause pain, and apply ice to the knee for 20-minute intervals, followed by a break of no less than 20 minutes between applications. This reduces inflammation and swelling.
Orthotics
Orthotics are devices that can be sued to support the knee joint, for example, shoe insoles and braces. They reduce the burden on the knee joint and thus help alleviate pain and discomfort. Good orthotics are custom-made to fit the wearer, and they can help manage knee pain significantly.
Pain Management
When all other remedies fail, you can take pain medication to alleviate knee pain. Over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin can help reduce mild to moderate knee pain. A doctor may prescribe stronger medications, such as opioids, for severe knee issues. Follow the prescribed dosage and consult a doctor before making adjustments.
In untreatable cases, experienced knee replacement surgeons can provide a lasting solution to chronic knee pain. These surgeons will likely recommend a total knee replacement if other treatments fail.
Conclusion
In short, treating knee pain might entail a variety of remedies. You can relieve knee pain by building knee strength, resting and icing, or taking prescribed medication. While these can all help relieve pain in the knee, proper recovery from knee injuries means treating its underlying cause. Preventive measures can help you avoid knee pain and knee-related injuries, maintain your mobility, and continue living a healthy, active lifestyle.
Written by: Stephanie Snyder
About the Author:
Stephanie Caroline Snyder graduated from The University of Florida in 2018 where she majored in Communications with a minor in Mass Media. Currently, she is an author, freelance writer, and blogger. She was born and raised in Panama City, Florida where her family still lives. The oldest of four children, Stephanie moved out to Utah to pursue her professional interests in early 2019 and has worked in content creation, blogging, and internet articles ever since.