The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body.Such a “complicated” device, combined with a constant load, makes the joint very vulnerable.
In this regard, it is not surprising that throughout our lives, at least once, each of us has experienced pain in the knee - dull, aching, sharp, muffled, or even unbearable.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 the causes that cause it, can be very different; in this article we will try to understand in detail why the knee hurts, and what to do in this case.
Causes of knee pain
Pain in the knee joint can be caused by injury or be of a pathological nature.Sometimes this is a symptom of a serious disease, which can be determined by the nature of the sensations and a number of additional signs.
Among the most common reasons why knees hurt are the following:
- Arthritis of the knee joint is an inflammatory disease.It can be either an independent pathology or a symptom or complication of other diseases.
- Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a degenerative process of destruction of articular tissues; over a long period of time, it causes deformation and deprives the joint of mobility.
- Due to injury due to a very strong blow to the knee, its impact with a hard object, or a fall.In this case, the joint is excessively damaged and bends unnaturally.
- Ligament Damage – Any activity that involves physical effort can lead to knee injury.This often happens when playing sports and during active recreation, and an immediate sharp pain is felt and the joint swells.If this happens, it is necessary to exclude further stress on the injured leg until medical assistance is provided, so as not to aggravate the injury.
- Meniscus damage.The meniscus is a rounded piece of cartilage in the knee joint that is easily damaged by sudden squatting or twisting.The doctor diagnoses this cause after an in-person examination, ultrasound, and x-ray.
- Bursitis.Many people wonder why their knees hurt when bending.There may be many answers to this question, but sometimes it is the usual excess formation of fluid in the joint, or rather in the bursa where it is located.The pain is not localized and can often radiate to neighboring areas, even to the toes.Bursitis can manifest itself in an acute form, but it often becomes chronic.Acute bursitis is expressed as sharp pain in the leg above the knee or in the knee itself, redness of the skin and significant limitation of leg mobility.The accumulated liquid can be easily felt even through the skin; the swelling has a clear contour.
- Pain occurs when a cyst forms under the knee (Becker cyst).The formation appears in the fossa as a result of a previously observed inflammatory process in the knee joint.Substances accumulated during inflammation in the joints penetrate into the tendon areas of the popliteal fossa and are localized on the inside of the fossa.
- Tendonitis (inflammation of ligaments and tendons) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a specific area.It intensifies with flexion and extension of the knees and contraction of the muscles associated with the tendon affected by inflammation, and radiates to the neighboring muscles of the leg and thigh.
- Ischemic pain - occurs due to impaired blood supply to the knee joint.The cause may be a sudden change in weather, a long 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 joint mobility.
Acute or chronic knee pain that appears should not be ignored, so you need to consult a doctor.After completing the diagnosis, the specialist will tell you what to do in a particular case.Treatment may consist of tablets, ointments, rubs, physical procedures, and surgery.
Diagnostics
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's sore knee, conducts movement tests and collects anamnesis to make an accurate diagnosis.Additionally, the doctor may prescribe the following examinations:
- Instrumental - using radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During a laboratory study, general and biochemical tests are taken, a smear and a blood test for bacterial microflora, a serological test, a puncture of the bone marrow and joint fluid are performed.
- Invasive methods involve arthroscopy.
Based on the results of tests and examinations, the specialist makes a diagnosis and tells you how to treat knee pain in your case.
Treatment of knee pain
Doctors can determine why joints hurt.Therefore, a timely visit to a specialist is an important component for quickly and correctly eliminating the problem that has arisen.However, whatever the cause of knee pain, the first thing to do is to reduce the load on the joints.Often during periods of acute pain, the patient requires bed rest followed by activation of the leg.It is recommended to use a cane or crutches when walking, and wear soft and comfortable shoes.In some cases, the doctor prescribes orthopedic insoles.
At home, the primary means of drug treatment for knee pain are chondroprotective, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.The forms of release of these medications can be different (gels, creams, ointments, injections, tablets).The specialist prescribes one form or another of the drug depending on the type, degree and location of the damage.
- NSAIDs are most effective in relieving pain and inflammation.But they have no effect on the cause of the disease.
- If your knee is swollen and painful, an ice compress will help.You can take an ice pack and apply it to the damaged area.After some time, the pain will begin to subside.
- Chondroprotectors, on the contrary, do not reduce pain, but with long-term use they promote the restoration of damaged cartilage tissue, restore joint function and reduce the number of relapses of the disease.
- Applying a restraining bandage may also help.But you must be sure that it can be done for your injury, otherwise you may only make the situation worse.
- If your knee hurts when you sit in one place for a long time, then you need to move a little.A sedentary lifestyle or sedentary work is very dangerous - there is a risk of gaining excess weight, which will put stress on the knee joints, and also all the time without movement is very harmful, the knees stagnate.
Drug treatment is usually complemented by a course of physiotherapy.This allows you to quickly relieve pain, shorten the course of treatment, and reduce the dose of drugs.
It is equally important to follow a diet - eating plant-based foods rich in vitamins, fish dishes and seafood helps restore articular cartilage.And, of course, when the pain can be overcome, we must try to make sure that it does not return: lead a healthy lifestyle, strengthen the body and not subject it to excessive stress.