Knee pain is one of the common complaints affecting people of every age. It can be caused by injuries, like torn cartilage or a ruptured ligament.
Most types of knee pain, especially minor ones, respond properly to self-care measures. Knee braces, orthopedics, and physical therapy may help to relieve your pain.
Common Knee Issues
Most problems in the knee are caused by continuous wear and the aging process. Other problems result from a sudden movement or injury that strains the knee. Other common problems may include the following:
1. Torn cartilage
Trauma to your knee may tear the connective tissue pads, enhancing stabilities and serving as shock absorbers.
Cartilage tears often occur with sprains. And treatment might involve wearing braces during physical activities to protect your knees from further injuries. Surgery can also be required to repair those tears.
2. Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a popular arthritis type, which affects the knees. It can be caused by too much stress on your joint, like being overweight or repeated injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis may also affect your knees by inflating the joints. It often affects individuals at an earlier age when compared to osteoarthritis.
3. Tendonitis
Inflammation at the tendons can result from overusing tendons during activities like cycling, jumping, or running.
Tendonitis of the patellar tendons is referred to as the jumpers’ knee. It usually happens with sports, like basketball, when the force of hitting the ground strains your tendons.
Who Are at a Great Risk?
Individuals who are obese or overweight are at great risk for experiencing knee pain. For each pound, your knees must absorb extra four pounds of pressure when climbing stairs, running, or walking.
Other factors, which may increase your risk of getting chronic pain are age, physical exercise/athletic activity, and previous trauma or injuries.
Symptoms
The severity and location of knee pain can vary. This may depend on the root of the pain. Symptoms and signs, which at times accompany knee pain, are the following:
- Incapability to straighten a knee
- Crunching or popping noises
- Instability or weakness
- Stiffness and swelling
- Warmth and redness to the touch
Why See a Specialist
Pain management is a vital aspect of treatment plans for aiding recovery and lessening discomfort. A pain management specialist is aware of the full range of relieving pain and how to combine several options to alleviate pain.
Treatment done as part of a multimodal and comprehensive plan can help even when every treatment fails to work. And the best part is that your pain management specialist will help diagnose pain as well as treat it effectively and safely.
Treating Pain at Home
Your physical therapist or doctor may recommend home care so as to relieve your knee pain. Some of the options your doctor can recommend are the following:
- Topical treatments, like muscle rubs or creams
- Practicing gentle exercises and stretches
- Applying ice packs or heat
- Taking OTC pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Final Say!
Knee pain is caused by several causes, ranging from medical conditions to injuries. But regardless of what type of knee pain you have, ensure your knees are evaluated by a medical doctor to ensure the problem isn’t serious.
