The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in our body. The knee joint is prone to injury which can cause pain. Especially often the knees are injured during the race. Let's take a look at the main causes and treatments for knee pain.
Symptoms of knee pain
Symptoms of knee pain depend on the cause and the severity. Knee pain is a common problem.
Knee pain can come on suddenly with too much stress and injury.
Instability or weakness can often occur in the knees - up to the feeling that the legs are about to give way.
Depending on the cause of the pain, other symptoms may be observed: stiffness of movement, slamming of the knee, stuck knee joint in one position, inability to straighten the leg.
How Does Knee Pain Affect Us?
Knee pain occurs more often in the elderly, overweight (due to increased stress on the joints) and during sports. The knee joints are actively involved in locomotion, so knee pain greatly affects our life. With knee pain we cannot play sports, it is difficult for us to walk and climb stairs.
The knee joint is made up of three bones, tendons that attach muscles to bones, and ligaments that stabilize and connect bones. In the cavity of the knee joint there are two C-shaped cartilages - the menisci. Their main role is to cushion the joint. The fluid-filled bursa allows the joint to move smoothly.
80% of those surveyed experienced knee pain.
Why does knee pain occur
Knee pain is often caused by injuries (sprains and tendons, dislocations, tears of ligaments or menisci), as well as osteoarthritis, tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) and bursitis (accumulation of fluid in the bursae).
Sports injuries
Knee injuries are common among athletes. They often have a ruptured knee ligament with sudden knee pain. Excessive stress on the knee joint, such as when running, walking, jumping and cycling, can cause what is known as "runner's knee" (iliotibial friction syndrome). It usually manifests as pain in the kneecap area and is caused by overuse, injury, bone disease in the leg, or muscle weakness.
Other reasons
Knee injuries can develop gradually with osteoarthritis. If, as a result of problems with the hip or ankle joints, a person's gait is disturbed, this in turn can cause asymmetry of the load on the knee joints, which in turn isheavy with wounds. Knee injuries, even minor ones, increase the likelihood of similar injuries in the future.
Determine the cause of the pain
Pain on the side of the knee can be caused by damage to the ligaments and a tear in the meniscus (the cartilage layer that stabilizes the joint). Pain in the front of the knee is usually caused by inflammation of the bursa 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 for movement, swelling, bruising, and localized fever. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy and a knee brace for pain relief, refer you for additional tests (X-rays, MRIs, ultrasound, or CT scans), show you exercises to strengthen your knee joint, and prescribe 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 pressure bandage and keep the knee in an elevated position. Over-the-counter pain relievers for internal and external use can help moderate short-term pain and reduce inflammation.
What is runner's knee syndrome?
Knee injuries are common among athletes involved in athletics, especially running.
Runner's knee syndrome includes the following symptoms:
- Pain behind or around the kneecap (patella).
- Pain when bending the knee.
- The pain gets worse when going down or down stairs.
- Swelling in the knee area.
- A snap or crackle may be felt in the knee.
Treatments include rest and taking anti-inflammatory drugs
Knee Pain Relief Exercises
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. Doing these exercises regularly will help prevent or relieve knee pain.