The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in our body. Knee joints are prone to injury and cause pain. In particular, the knee is often injured when running. Let's learn about the main causes and treatment of knee pain.
Knee pain symptoms
Symptoms of knee pain depend on the cause and severity. Knee pain is a common problem.
Knee pain can happen suddenly with too much stress and injury.
Stability or weakness can often occur in the knee - up to the feeling that the leg is about to give way.
Depending on the cause of the pain, other symptoms may be observed: stiffness with movement, clicking noises in the knee, jamming the knee joint in one position, inability to straighten the leg.
How does knee pain affect us?
Knee pain occurs more often in the elderly, people who are overweight (because the joints are more stressed) and when playing sports. The knee joint actively participates in the movement process, so knee pain affects a lot of our lives. With knee pain, we can't play sports, walk, climb stairs is also difficult.
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 knee joint cavity there are two C-shaped meniscus - meniscus. Their main role is to cushion the joints. The fluid-filled mass allows the joint to move smoothly.
80% of people surveyed have experienced knee pain.
Why does knee pain happen?
Knee pain is often caused by trauma (sprain, dislocation, tear of a ligament or meniscus), as well as osteoarthritis, tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon sheath), and bursitis (a buildup of fluid in the tendon sheath).
Sports injuries
Knee injuries are common among athletes. They often have torn knee ligaments accompanied by sudden knee pain. Excessive stress on the knee joint, such as when running, walking, jumping, and cycling, can cause what's known as "runner's knee" (genital tract friction syndrome). It usually presents with pain in the kneecap area and is caused by overuse, injury, bone disease, or muscle weakness.
Other reasons
Knee damage can develop gradually along with osteoarthritis. If, due to problems with the hip or ankle joints, a person's gait is disturbed, this can cause asymmetry in the load on the knee joints, which in turn leads to full injury. Knee injuries, even minor ones, increase the likelihood of a similar injury in the future.
Determine the cause of the pain
Pain on the side of the knee can be caused by ligament damage and a tear in the meniscus (the cartilage that stabilizes the joint). Pain in the front of the knee is usually caused by bursitis and cartilage problems. Osteoarthritis can cause knee pain.
The treatment
How knee pain is diagnosed and treated depends on the cause of the pain. To determine it, you must consult a doctor. Your doctor will examine your knee, checking for movement, swelling, bruising, and local fever. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy and a knee brace for pain, refer you for additional tests (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or CT), show you exercises to strengthen the jointpillow and prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and treat its cause. In addition, after consulting with your doctor, at home, you can protect and reassure your injured knee, apply ice, compress and keep the knee in an elevated position. Over-the-counter pain relievers for internal and external use can provide short-term moderate pain relief and reduce inflammation.
What is Runner's Knee Syndrome?
Knee injuries are common among athletes, especially runners.
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 walking downhill or down stairs.
- Swelling of the knee area.
- A clicking or crunching sound may be felt in the knee.
Treat with rest and anti-inflammatory medication
Exercises to relieve knee pain
Knee pain is common: out of 100 people who complain of pain, 80 report knee pain. Three simple exercises will help make your knee support muscles stronger and more flexible. Performing these exercises regularly will help prevent or reduce knee pain.