The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body.Such a “complex” device, combined with constant loads, makes the joint very vulnerable.
In this regard, it is not surprising that during our lives, at least once, each of us has experienced knee pain - dull, aching, aching, choking or even unbearable pain.Sometimes unpleasant sensations bother people only when walking or bending and straightening their legs, in some cases - regularly.
The nature of pain in the knee joint as well as its cause can vary widely;In this article we will try to find out in detail why the knee hurts and what to do in this case.
Causes of knee pain
Knee pain can be due to injury or pathology.Sometimes this is a symptom of a serious illness, which can be determined based on the nature of the feeling and some additional signs.
Among the most common reasons for knee pain are:
- Knee arthritis is an inflammatory disease.It can be an independent disease or a symptom or complication of other diseases.
- Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative process that destroys joint tissue;In the long term, it will cause deformation and loss of joint mobility.
- Due to injury due to a very strong blow to the knee, being hit by a hard object or falling.In this case, the joint is excessively damaged and bends unnaturally.
- Ligament damage – Any activity that requires physical effort can lead to a knee injury.This often happens when playing sports and during active recreation, you will immediately feel sharp pain and swollen joints.If this occurs, further stress on the injured leg should be avoided until medical assistance is obtained so as not to aggravate the injury.
- Damage to the meniscus.The meniscus is a round piece of cartilage in the knee joint that is easily damaged when squatting or twisting suddenly.Doctors diagnose this cause after a direct examination, ultrasound and X-ray.
- Bursitis.Many people wonder why their knees hurt when they bend.There can be many answers to this question, but sometimes it is the formation of an excess of normal fluid in the joint, or rather, in the synovium where it is located.The pain is not localized and can often spread to nearby areas, even to the toes.Bursitis may present as an acute form but often becomes chronic.Acute bursitis is manifested by sharp pain in the leg above the knee or in the knee itself, redness of the skin and significant limitation of leg mobility.Fluid buildup can be easily felt even through the skin;the bump has clear borders.
- The pain occurs when a cyst forms below the knee (Becker cyst).The formation appeared in the pit due to the inflammatory process that was previously observed in the knee joint.Substances that accumulate during the inflammatory process in the joint will penetrate the tendon area of the popliteal fossa and localize inside the fossa.
- Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons and ligaments) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a specific area.It strengthens the flexion and extension of the knee as well as contracts the muscles associated with tendons affected by inflammation, and radiates to the adjacent muscles of the leg and thigh.
- Ischemic pain - occurs due to reduced blood supply to the knee joint.Causes may be sudden weather changes, prolonged stay in the cold and excessive physical activity.As a rule, the pain is localized symmetrically, that is, in both knees, has the same intensity and does not affect the mobility of the joint.
Acute or chronic knee pain should not be ignored, so you should consult your doctor.After completing the diagnosis, the specialist will tell you what to do in a particular case.Treatment may include pills, ointments, massage medications, physical procedures, and surgery.
Diagnose
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's painful knee, conducts a movement test, and collects a medical history to make an accurate diagnosis.Additionally, your doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- Instrument - uses radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During laboratory research, general and biochemical tests are performed, smear tests and blood tests for bacteria, serological tests, bone marrow and synovial fluid punctures are performed.
- Invasive methods involve arthroscopy.
Based on the results of tests and examinations, a specialist will diagnose and tell you how to treat knee pain in your case.
Knee pain treatment
Doctors can determine why joints hurt.Therefore, a timely visit to a specialist is an important component to quickly and correctly eliminate the problem that has arisen.However, whatever the cause of knee pain, the first thing to do is to reduce the load on the joint.Usually during the acute pain phase, the patient needs bed rest, then leg activation.You should use a cane or crutches when walking and wear soft and comfortable shoes.In some cases, doctors prescribe orthopedic insoles.
At home, the main medical treatments for knee pain are chondroprotective drugs, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.The forms of release of these drugs can be different (gel, cream, ointment, injection, pills).The specialist prescribes one or another form of medication depending on the type, extent and location of the injury.
- NSAIDs are most effective at relieving pain and reducing inflammation.But they have no effect on the cause of the disease.
- If your knee is swollen and painful, ice will help.You can take an ice pack and apply it to the injured area.After a while, the pain will begin to subside.
- On the contrary, Chondroprotectors do not relieve pain, but when used long-term, they will promote the recovery process of damaged cartilage tissue, restore joint function and reduce the number of disease recurrences.
- Applying a bandage may also be helpful.But you have to be sure that it can fix your injury, otherwise you might just make the situation worse.
- If your knees hurt when sitting in one place for a long time, you need to move around a bit.A sedentary lifestyle or sedentary work is very dangerous - there is a risk of gaining too much weight, putting stress on the knee joints, and at the same time, not moving much will be very harmful, the knees will become stagnant.
Medical treatment is often supplemented by a course of physical therapy.This allows you to quickly relieve pain, shorten the treatment process and reduce the dose of medication.
It is equally important to follow a diet - eating foods of plant origin rich in vitamins, fish and seafood dishes helps restore joint cartilage.And of course, while the pain can pass, we must try to ensure that it does not return: lead a healthy lifestyle, nourish the body and do not subject it to undue stress.