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. Knees are especially common in running. Let’s look at the main causes and ways to treat knee pain.
Symptoms of knee pain
The symptoms of knee pain depend on the cause and severity. Knee pain is a common problem.
Knee pain can suddenly appear with too much stress and injury.
Instability or weakness can often occur in the knees - all the way to the feeling that the legs will give way.
Depending on the cause of the pain, other symptoms may be noticed: stiffness of movement, clicking in the knee, jamming 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 sports. Knee joints are actively involved in movement, so knee pain greatly affects our lives. With knee pain we can’t do sports, it’s hard for us to walk and climb stairs.
The knee joint is made up of three bones, the tendons that attach the muscles to the bones, and the ligaments that stabilize and connect the bones. In the cavity of the knee joint there are two C-shaped cartilages - menisci. Their main role is to soften the joint. The fluid-filled exchange allows the joint to move smoothly.
80% of the people surveyed had knee pain.
Why knee pain occurs
Knee pain is often caused by injuries (sprains and tendons, sprains, tears of ligaments or meniscus), 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 running, walking, jumping and cycling, can cause the so-called "running knee" (friction syndrome of the iliotibial tract). legs or muscle weakness.
Other reasons
Knee injuries can gradually develop with osteoarthritis. If a person's gait is disturbed as a result of a problem with the hip or ankle joints, this in turn can cause a load asymmetry 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.
Determine the cause of the pain
Pain in the side of the knee can be caused by damage to the ligaments and rupture of the meniscus (the cartilaginous layer that stabilizes the joint). Pain in the front of the knee is usually the result of bursa inflammation and cartilage problems. Osteoarthritis can cause pain in the back of the knee.
Treatment
The method of diagnosing and treating knee pain depends on the cause of the pain. To determine it, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will examine your knee, check for its movement, swelling, bruising, and localized fever. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy and knee braces to relieve pain, refer you for additional tests (x-rays, MRI, ultrasound, or CT), show exercises to strengthen your knee joint, and prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and treat its cause. In addition, after consulting a doctor, at home, you can provide protection and peace to the injured knee, apply ice, put on a compression bandage and keep the knee in an elevated position. Over-the-counter painkillers for internal and external use can help relieve short-term moderate pain and reduce inflammation.
What is Runner's Knee Syndrome?
Knee injuries are common among athletes who engage in athletics, especially running.
Runner's knee syndrome includes the following symptoms:
- Pain behind or around the patella (patella).
- Pain when bending the knee.
- The pain worsens when walking downhill or descending stairs.
- Swelling in the knee area.
- A click or crunch may be felt in the knee.
Treatments include resting and taking anti-inflammatory medications
Exercises to relieve knee pain
Knee pain is common: out of 100 people who complained of pain, 80 reported knee pain. Three simple exercises will help the muscles that support your knee to be stronger and more flexible. Performing these exercises regularly will help prevent or alleviate knee pain.