Why knees hurt and what to do about it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Trauma is not the only cause. Sometimes we are talking about more serious things.

When you need to urgently seek help

Go to the emergency room, to the surgeon as soon as possible, or even - depending on how you feel - call an ambulance if Knee Pain:

• you cannot transfer body weight to the affected leg: the knee is so unstable;
• noticeable swelling is observed around the knee joint;
• you are unable to fully extend or bend your knee;
• the joint looks deformed;
• the knee is red, swollen and sore, and at the same time you notice an increase in body temperature;
• you just recently hit your knee and now it hurts a lot.

Such symptoms are typical for fractures, dislocations, acute inflammatory diseases. If left untreated, these disorders can lead to the most unpleasant consequences - up to disability or death.

Why knees hurt

Here are some of the most common reasons.

1. Knee injury

The American Arthritis Foundation calls Knee Injury knees one of the most vulnerable to various injuries of the joints of the human body. Especially often it goes to athletes. A long run, an accidental fall, a sudden jump, a high load under the bar - all of these situations can interfere with the functioning of the knee joint and lead to one of the following injuries.

Meniscus injury

The meniscus is the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee joint. Its thickness is only 3-4 millimeters. Despite this, the cartilage is quite durable. But still he can be vulnerable. For example, if you twist abruptly on a loaded knee, the meniscus may tear. The symptoms of this are pain and swelling in the knee. However, they coincide with signs of other injuries, therefore, the diagnosis must be entrusted to a specialist.

Ligament damage

Most often, the so-called anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suffers - one of the four ligaments that connect the lower leg and thigh within the knee joint. With a sharp turn of the knee, micro-tears, or even a full-fledged rupture, can form. Such injuries are common in people playing football, basketball, or other sports that require sudden changes in direction.

Tendon tears and inflammations

Tendons are fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones. With sudden movements or heavy loads, they are also susceptible to stretching, and even tearing. In addition, the load can lead to the development of inflammation - the so-called knee tendonitis.

Bursitis

Some knee injuries can cause inflammation of the bursae (bursae), small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between the joint and the surrounding ligaments and tendons. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the burs makes itself felt by swelling, increased skin temperature in the affected area, stiffness and pain.

Tibial Tract Syndrome

This is the name of the inflammation of the ligament, which runs from the outer part of the pelvis along the hip and knee joints. This element plays an important role in stabilizing the knee. With prolonged, monotonous movements associated with constant flexion and extension of the leg, the ligament can become inflamed. This common injury tends to occur among those who enjoy jogging, cycling, hiking, and powerlifting.

Dislocation of the patella (patella)

This is a situation where the triangular bone that covers the front of the knee moves from its usual place - usually to the outside of the joint. This displacement is noticeable and painful. Do not try to set the bone yourself! This procedure can only be performed by a trauma surgeon.

Injury

You fell or hit your knee, and now it has a bruise, it is swollen and hurts. This is how a bruise manifests itself.

Fracture

The bones of the knee, including the patella, can be broken by a fall or severe impact. People who suffer from osteoporosis sometimes get fractures just by taking an awkward step.

2. Patellofemoral pain syndrome

This syndrome is also called runner's knee. It is not related to trauma; it has a slightly different mechanism.

The patella (patella) moves up and down the joint during flexion-extension of the knee. Sometimes irritation can occur between the patella and the joint (femoral means femoral).

If you feel a pulling pain above the kneecap or in the knee, which intensifies when going up and down, or when sitting with bent legs, it is possible that we are talking about patellofemoral pain syndrome. This disorder is more common in women than in men.

3. Your gait has changed

Maybe you've pulled your thigh muscles. Or, for example, you stepped on something sharp and now you are trying to move so as not to disturb the injured place on the foot again. These situations force you to change your gait. And this, in turn, can lead to excessive stress on the knee joint. Hence the painful sensations.

4. Excess weight

This is another stress factor on the knees that can cause pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles of the legs.

5. You develop one type of arthritis

There are over 100 different types of them. Here are the varieties of Knee Pain arthritis that most commonly affect the knee:

• Osteoarthritis. Its cause is the wear and tear of the cartilage tissue in the knee joint.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the joints of the body. Including the knee.
• Gout. This type of arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joints. Although gout is more common in the big toes, it can also occur in the knees.
• Septic arthritis. We are talking about an infection of the joints, which can develop either after a penetrating injury, or when microbes enter the bloodstream from another part of the body.

What to do if your knees hurt

If discomfort bothers you for more than two to three days, you should consult your doctor. For example, for this reason: what you take for a normal bruise may well turn out to be a meniscus injury. Damage to this cartilage increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis and other joint problems in the future.

Start with a therapist. The physician will listen to your complaints, ask about lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, falls. And depending on the presumptive diagnosis, it will refer you to a specialized specialist - a rheumatologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a physiotherapist … Some tests may be required: X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging of the knee, as well as blood and fluid analysis from the knee joint. Further treatment will depend on the results of the examination and tests.

Until you reach a doctor, or if you are sure that nothing terrible is happening to you, you can relieve the condition with home methods of Knee Pain. Diagnosis and Treatment.

1. Give your knee a rest

Take a break from your regular activities to reduce repetitive stress on the joint. It usually takes a couple of days to recover from minor injuries. If the condition is more serious, the rest period should be longer and there is a reason to discuss this topic with your doctor.

2. Apply cold to the affected knee

For example, an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel, a hot water bottle with ice water, or a cold gauze compress. This will help relieve swelling and pain. Keep the compress for no longer than 20 minutes.

3. Use an elastic bandage

It will help prevent fluid buildup in damaged tissues and make the knee more stable. Make sure that the bandage does not interfere with blood circulation.

4. Lie with your legs raised

For example, place them on a sofa cushion or pillow. This will help reduce the swelling.

5. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can reduce pain and swelling discomfort. But keep in mind that these medications also have side effects, so they cannot be used all the time.