Anybody may suffer from knee pain, irrespective of age. Whatever be the reason, it’s necessary to manage this knee pain to be able to walk and perform other activities comfortably. Both aspects are vital – acknowledging that there is a problem and addressing it as soon as possible. It’s always good to visit a reputed orthopaedic specialist for the right advice and treatment.
Common Symptoms of Knee Pain
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling and redness
- Feeling of warmth on touch
- Unstable knees
- Inability to straighten the knees
- Knees making crunching noises when moved
Six Most Common Causes of Knee Pain:
1. Advancing Age
Age-related problems may initially manifest as minor pain in the knee but worsen with time. Occasionally, your knee might feel stuck. You may experience discomfort or pain in one part of your knee or the entire knee. There may also be swelling and inflammation due to friction caused by cartilage polish rubbing off.
2. Injury
The primary function of the knee joint is to bend, straighten, and bear your body’s weight. The knee is not merely a hinged joint. It also rotates and twists. To perform all these functions and support your body alongside, the knee depends on many structures, such as bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Any of these parts may get injured due to – a twist, a tumble, or a motor vehicle trauma, causing your knee to hurt.
3. Fracture
You may not be able to place your foot on the ground or move even a little if you suffer a fracture or some other injury to your bone. Fractures may be accompanied by bone oedema and deformity. Most fractures can be diagnosed with an X-ray, and generally need to be treated with surgery or plaster.
4. Ligament Injuries
Ligament injuries are generally sports-related or caused by accidents. Initially, there may be discomfort and swelling. After a few weeks, you may have a feeling of unstable knees. Such injuries might not be diagnosed with an X-ray. So, you need an MRI done. While some ligaments heal on their own, others do not.
5. Cartilage or Meniscus Injuries
When you have cartilage injuries, you experience discomfort and a feeling of locked knee – inability to fully extend your knee.
6. Overuse
Excess of everything is bad. You might not imagine but the excess use principle applies to your knees too! While exercise, physical activities, and sports enhance your overall well-being, too much of these activities, especially repetitive motion, such as jumping a lot, can cause knee pain.
Treatment : Knee Pain
Treatment for knee pain depends largely on the cause. An orthopaedist will suggest treatment for your knee pain depending on the severity of the pain and what’s causing it.
RICE – A Home Remedy for Knee Pain
| Rest | Give rest to the affected knee to avoid worsening the injury. |
| Ice | Apply an ice pack (or cold compress) for 15 – 20 minutes every hour on the first day of getting injured. Next day onwards, you can reduce the frequency to once every 3 – 4 hours. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth, and then apply; don’t apply directly. |
| Compression | To reduce blood flow to the injured knee, use a compression bandage or wrap it around the knee. It helps reduce swelling. |
| Elevation | Place your knee at a level higher than that of your heart – by using pillows, cushions, or blankets. |
Pain-Relieving Medicines
Consult your healthcare provider to know which painkillers you can safely use to get relief from your knee pain and other related symptoms. Avoid consuming any over-the-counter painkillers for more than 10 days, especially if you suffer from any liver or kidney ailment.
Knee Braces
Made of stiff plastic or metal with cushions and straps to wrap around the knee and leg, knee braces support your knee and keep it in alignment. Your orthopaedic doctor will advise you regarding the kind of brace and how frequently to wear it.
Physiotherapy
To improve knee stability and get relief from pain, particularly if you suffer from arthritis or are recovering from some injury, you can approach a physical therapist. They will guide you regarding appropriate exercises to strengthen the muscles in the affected knee region.
Orthobiologics
If you are in the initial stages of knee damage, you can consult a trusted orthopaedic specialist about orthobiologic treatment for your knee. They may administer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, bone marrow aspirate injection, hyaluronic injection, or stem cell therapy to you, depending on your condition.
Knee Surgery
If you have severe knee pain and other treatments haven’t proved helpful, you may require knee surgery. Such conditions include a damaged ligament, fracture, or severe arthritis.
Knee surgery could range from arthroscopy and partial knee replacement to total knee replacement, depending on the extent of knee damage. Further, you could choose between traditional knee replacement and robotic knee replacement surgery. Expert knee specialists at Sohana Orthopaedic Centre carefully analyse your condition and study your medical history to advise you on the best course of action.
Final Thoughts
Causes of knee pain are quite diverse, and an increasing number of people are falling prey to this debilitating condition. However, thanks to new innovations in the medical world, you have numerous treatment options available. Once you realize that you are dealing with a painful knee condition, you just need to discuss with your ortho doctor and make up your mind what your preferred line of treatment should be.
Whatever treatment you might opt for, one thing is for sure – treatments have become highly advanced to offer you significant relief from knee pain and restore mobility. Now, you can expect to say goodbye to knee pain and live life on the go!
