Knee pain is a common disease and people of all ages can become the victim of it. Knee pain actually affects your daily routine life whether you are athletes or working in any type of atmosphere. So it becomes really very crucial to understand what knee pain actually is? What are its symptoms, causes, treatments and prevention options? If you want to live a happy life without any disturbance then this article is really for you. So without any further delay let’s get started.
Understanding Knee Pain
Biology of the Knee
First of all try to understand what the knee actually is in biological terms. Knee is one of the complex and largest joints in the body that consist of bones, cartilage ligaments, muscles and tendons. Femur which is called thighbone, tibia commonly known as shinbone and patella which is called knee cap are basically primary bones. The primary bones are then connected by ligaments whose function is to provide stability. On the other hand, tendons work as a connector and connect muscles to bones. Cartilage on the other hand acts as a support between bones. This will help in smooth movement.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
It is very important to know about the causes in order to diagnose and treat knee pain in an effective way. Here in the following we are going to talk about some of the common causes of knee pain that you must have to know.
Injuries
Ligament Injuries
Ligament injuries are one of the causes of knee pain. In most of the cases athletes suffer ligament injuries as compared to others. So in most of the cases it is found that they are mostly suffered entirely in the ligaments like ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament).
Meniscus Tears
Meniscus is that portion of a cartilage whose major function is to absorb possible shocks. Issues actually come at that time when it is twisted or overused suddenly.
Fractures
In case of stress on the knees it results in fracture mostly in the kneecap or some other bones.
Disorder in Knee Cap
Sometimes when there comes a disorder in the knee cap it results in severe pain and swelling.
Medical Conditions
There are some medical issues which actually cause knee pain. Let’s have a look.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a regressive joint disease which results in the wear and tear of the cartilage. In this case it leads to pain and stiffness in the knees.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is another reason for knee pain. It is an autoimmune condition that creates inflammation in knees and joints.
Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis which comes into existence due to the collection of uric acid crystals in the joints. In this way a person feels knee pain sometimes in a severe condition.
Bursitis
Bursae are actually small sacs which are filled with fluid and they provide support to the knee joints. So sometimes due to the inflammation in Bursae a person feels knee pain.
Other Factors
There are several other factors that can also be the reason for knee pain. Some of the important ones are as follows.
Overuse
Due to repeated activities or trying too hard to perform any task a medical condition which is called tendinitis arises.
Poor Alignment
Mispositioning of various body parts can also result in knee pain including hips, feet and knees.
Overweight or Obesity
Overweight is really a burden on your health. Due to the extra body weight on the knee joints it results in pain and discomfort of the knee.
Symptoms of Knee Pain
Although there are different symptoms of knee pain due to different types of issues, here we are going to talk about some of the common and important symptoms that you must have to observe for better diagnosis and effective treatment.
✓Stiffness and swelling
✓Feeling of warm and redness when touching
✓Weakness in the knees
✓Start to create some noises just like popping and crunching
✓An affected person cannot fully straighten their knees.
Diagnosing Knee Pain
For comprehensive treatment it is really important that diagnosis must be accurate. Your healthcare provider can tell you some of the important methods to diagnose knee pain. Some of the effective diagnosing strategies are as follows.
Physical Examination
Physical examination is really very important in order to check out any possible swelling and other issues in the knees.
Imaging Tests
It becomes very crucial to check out the internal structure of the knees. This is efficiently done with the help of imaging tests like CT scans, x rays or MRI.
Lab Tests
One of the important tests is the blood test in any type of disease. Blood tests provide complete information about the factors that are present in the blood and create issues to that particular disease. Same is the case with knee pain. In order to check out the availability of rheumatoid arthritis, blood tests are taken.
Treatment Options for Knee Pain
This part of the article is really important because, after an effective diagnosis, there is an effective treatment. There are several treatment options for you in case of knee pain. Let’s talk about one by one.
Non Surgical Treatments
Medications
There are several medicines which are available for you in order to get quick relief from knee pain. Some of the important ones are as follows.
Pain Relievers
Certain pain relievers are used mostly in order to reduce knee pain including acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.
Anti Inflammatory Drugs
The next option which is available for you in case of knee pain is the use of anti inflammatory drugs. For this purpose nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs which are commonly known as NSAIDs are taken in order to reduce inflammation.
Corticosteroids
The use of corticosteroids is also helpful in order to get relief from severe types of inflammation. Corticosteroids in most of the cases are injected into the knee joints.
Physical Therapy
Another type of non surgical treatment option in case of knee pain is physical therapy. You can take some of the following steps to get quick relief from knee pain and joints related issues. Let’s have a look.
Exercises
Just consult your healthcare provider and ask him to recommend those exercises that are helpful in order to reduce stress and improve the conditions of joints. Exercises also reduce knee pain and help to perform joint functions in an effective and smooth way.
Manual Therapy
You can use certain techniques which are commonly known as manual therapy in order to get rid of knee pain. In this scenario some specific techniques such as joint mobilization and massage are really helpful.
Education
It is better to learn those techniques which are helpful in strengthening your muscles and avoid further possible injuries.
Lifestyle Changes
With the help of changes in your lifetime you can get maximum results especially in case of knee pain. Some important steps that you can follow are as follows.
Weight Management
If you want to save your knees from injuries or any other conditions then it is very important that you maintain a healthy weight. It is because in this way stress on knees can be reduced to a greater extent.
Activity Modification
Avoid those activities that increase chances of knee pain. It is better to find alternative techniques and methods to perform your desired tasks.
Surgical Treatments
Surgical treatments are basically a final step towards recovery and treatment in case of joint diseases especially for knee problems. There are certain surgical treatment options that can be used in different conditions. Only a professional doctor related to that particular issue can operate and perform the surgical treatment. Some of the important surgical steps are arthroscopy, partial knee replacement and total knee replacement.
Prevention of Knee Pain
The important thing in case of any disease is prevention before its coming. Try to prevent those factors which are responsible especially in this case of knee pain. Let’s talk about.
Exercise Regularly
It is very important to keep your muscles strong and healthy, especially those muscles which are located around the knees. It is very important to improve their flexibility and functionality. There are some exercises that you have to do on a regular basis. For example, cycling and swimming are those types of exercises or physical activities which are beneficial for the health of the knees.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
As being overweight is a burden and not good for your overall health, it is very important to keep your healthy weight to reduce extra stress on your knee joints. By doing this you will feel relaxation and can help you avoid injury as well.
Use Proper Techniques
It is very important to use effective techniques in that case when it becomes essential to lift heavy objects. With the help of proper techniques you can avoid knee issues by reducing stress. It is very important to bend at the hips and knees when needed. It is a wrong practice to bend on your back.
Wear Supportive Footwear
Try to use particular shoes according to the condition of the work. Especially wear those shoes that help to reduce possible stress on your knees. It is crucial to not wear heels type shoes.
Warm Up And Cool Down
Before and after taking exercise for physical activity it is critical to warm up and cool down your body. Why is it important? It is because before starting any activity it is essential to warm up your body in order to prepare it for that particular task. Similarly after ending that activity there is a need to cool down your body. By doing this you can reduce stress on knees and prevent from the risk of any injury.
Pay Attention to Yourself
Just start to take care of yourself. If you find any kind of signals of pain or discomfort in your knees then go for appropriate treatment options. Initially go for a proper rest and take medical guidance in case of complexity.
Conclusion
Knee pain is basically a common but exhausting medical condition. There is no need to panic because it is a common issue that can be managed and treatable. There is a need to know about knee pain. What actually knee pain is? What are its causes, symptoms and how to go for a treatment option? There are several steps that you have to follow if you want to recover from this pain. You can reduce knee pain to a great extent if you keep your lifestyle in check.
Try to manage a healthy weight in order to reduce extra stress on the knees. By following the steps as we have deeply discussed in this comprehensive article you can manage and beat knee pain very effectively. So if you are an athlete or someone else it is very important to take care of your knees for improving your quality of life and daily routine works in an efficient way.