The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body.Such a "complex" device, combined with a constant load, makes the joint very fragile.
In this regard, it is not surprising that throughout our lives, at least once, each of us has experienced pain in the knees - dull, aching, sharp, muffled, or even unbearable.Sometimes unpleasant sensations hinder people only when walking or bending and straightening their legs, in some cases - regularly.
The nature of the pain in the knee joint, as well as the reasons that cause it, can be very different;in this article we will try to understand in detail why the knees hurt, and what to do in this case.
Causes of knee pain
Pain in the knee joint can be caused by an injury or it can be pathological in nature.Sometimes this is a sign of a serious disease, which can be determined by the nature of the sensations and some additional symptoms.
The most common causes of knee injuries include:
- Arthritis of the knee joint is an inflammatory disease.It can be an independent pathology or a symptom or complication of other diseases.
- Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a degenerative process of articular tissue destruction;over a long period of time, it causes deformation and takes away the mobility of the joint.
- Due to injury caused by 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 a knee injury.This often happens while playing sports and during active recreation, and a sharp pain is felt immediately and the joint swells.If this happens, it is necessary to exclude additional stress on the injured leg until medical assistance is provided, so as not to make the injury worse.
- Meniscus damage.The meniscus is a round piece of cartilage in the knee joint that is easily damaged by squatting or sudden twisting.The doctor diagnoses this cause after a personal examination, ultrasound and x-ray.
- Bursitis.Many people wonder why their knee hurts when they bend.There may be many answers to this question, but sometimes it is normal for fluid to form in the joint, or in the bursa where it is located.The pain is not localized and often goes to neighboring areas, even to the toes.Bursitis can manifest itself in an acute form, but is often 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 fluid 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 an inflammatory process previously observed in the knee joint.Substances accumulated during inflammation in the joints enter the tendon areas of the popliteal fossa and are localized on the inside of the fossa.
- Tendonitis (inflammation of the ligaments and tendons) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a specific area.It strengthens the flexion and extension of the knee and the contraction of the muscles associated with the tendon affected by inflammation, and rays to the nearby muscles of the leg and thigh.
- Ischemic pain - occurs due to impaired blood supply to the knee joint.The reason may be a sudden change in the weather, a long stay in the cold and excessive physical activity.Usually, the pain is symmetrically localized, that is, in both knees, it has the same intensity and does not affect joint mobility.
Acute or chronic knee pain that appears should not be ignored, so you must consult a doctor.After completing the diagnosis, the specialist will tell you what to do in a certain situation.Treatment may include tablets, ointments, rubs, physical procedures, and surgery.
Diagnostics
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's painful knee, performs range of motion tests and collects an anamnesis to make an accurate diagnosis.In addition, the doctor may prescribe the following examinations:
- Tool - using radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During a laboratory study, general and biochemical tests are carried out, a smear and a blood test for bacterial microflora, a serological test, a puncture of the marrow and joint fluid are carried out.
- Arthroscopy involves invasive methods.
Based on the results of tests and examinations, the specialist makes a diagnosis and tells 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 part of 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 leg activation.It is recommended to use a cane or crutches when walking, and to wear soft and comfortable shoes.In some cases, the doctor prescribes orthopedic insoles.
At home, the main drug treatment methods for knee pain are chondroprotective drugs, painkillers and anti-inflammatories.The release forms of these medications can be different (gels, creams, ointments, injections, tablets).The specialist prescribes one or another form of the drug depending on the type, degree and location of the damage.
- NSAIDs are most effective at 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 on the damaged area.After some time, the pain will begin to subside.
- On the contrary, chondroprotectors do not reduce pain, but with long-term use they promote the recovery of damaged cartilage tissue, restore joint function and reduce the number of relapses of the disease.
- It may also help to apply a restrictive bandage.But you must be sure that it can be done on your injury, otherwise you may only make the situation worse.
- If your knees hurt 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 extra weight, which will put stress on the knee joints, and also all the time without movement is very harmful, the knees are stagnant.
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 ensure that it does not come back: lead a healthy lifestyle, strengthen the body and not be subject to excessive stress.