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 vulnerable.
In this regard, it is not surprising that each of us experiences knee pain at least once in our life - dull, aching, sharp, hoarse and 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 and 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 may result from injury or be pathological in nature.Sometimes this is a symptom of a serious illness, which can be determined by the nature of the sensations and a number of additional signs.
The most common causes of knee pain 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 destruction of joint tissues;It causes deformation for a long time and eliminates the mobility of the joint.
- Due to injury to the knee due to a very strong blow, impact with a hard object, or fall.In this case, the joint becomes extremely damaged and bends unnaturally.
- Ligament Injury: Any activity that requires physical exertion can lead to a knee injury.This often occurs during sports and active rest, and an immediate sharp pain is felt and the joint swells.In such a case, it is necessary to prevent further stress on the injured leg until medical help is provided, so as not to aggravate the injury.
- Meniscus damage.The meniscus is a rounded piece of cartilage located in the knee joint that can be easily damaged by sudden squatting or bending.The doctor diagnoses this cause after a personal examination, ultrasound and x-ray.
- bursitisMany people wonder why their knees hurt when bending over.There may be many answers to this question, but sometimes there is the usual excessive fluid formation in the joint, or more precisely, in the bursa where it is located.The pain is not localized and can often radiate to neighboring areas, even the toes.Bursitis can present in an acute form, but often becomes chronic.Acute bursitis is expressed as sharp pain in the leg above the knee or in the knee itself, skin redness 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 (Becker cyst) forms under the knee.The formation occurs in the fossa as a result of a previously observed inflammatory process in the knee joint.Substances accumulated during inflammation in the joints penetrate the tendon areas of the popliteal fossa and are localized in the inner part of the fossa.
- Tendonitis (inflammation of ligaments and tendons) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a particular area.It intensifies with flexion and extension of the knees and contraction of the muscles associated with the tendon affected by the inflammation and spreads to the adjacent leg and thigh muscles.
- Ischemic pain - occurs due to impaired blood flow to the knee joint.The reason for this may be a sudden change in weather conditions, a long stay in the cold and excessive physical activity.As a rule, the pain is localized symmetrically, that is, it has the same intensity in both knees and does not affect joint mobility.
Acute or chronic knee pain should not be ignored, so you should consult a doctor.After completing the diagnosis, the specialist will tell you what to do in a particular situation.Treatment may consist of tablets, ointments, scrubs, physical procedures and surgery.
Diagnosis
The orthopedist first examines the patient's painful knee, performs movement tests and takes anamnesis to make the correct diagnosis.Additionally, the doctor may recommend the following examinations:
- Instrumental - using radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During laboratory work, general and biochemical tests are performed, smear and blood test for bacterial microflora, serological test, puncture of bone marrow and joint fluid are performed.
- Invasive methods include arthroscopy.
The specialist makes a diagnosis based on the test and examination results 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 the quick and correct elimination of the problem that has arisen.However, regardless of the cause of knee pain, the first thing to do is to reduce the load on the joints.During periods of acute pain, the patient often requires bed rest followed by activation of the leg.It is recommended to use a cane or crutches while walking and to wear soft and comfortable shoes.In some cases, the doctor recommends orthopedic insoles.
The primary means of drug treatment for knee pain at home are chondroprotective, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory drugs.The forms of release of these drugs may 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 at relieving pain and inflammation.However, it has no effect on the cause of the disease.
- If your knee is swollen and painful, ice compresses will help.You can take an ice pack and apply it to the damaged area.After a while, the pain will begin to decrease.
- 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 retention bandage may also help.But you must be sure that this can be done for your injury, otherwise you may make the situation worse.
- If your knee hurts when you sit in the same place for a long time, you need to move a little.A sedentary lifestyle or sedentary work is very dangerous - there is a risk of gaining excess weight, which puts pressure on the knee joints, and also all sedentary time is very harmful, the knees become sluggish.
Drug treatment is usually completed with a course of physiotherapy.This allows you to quickly relieve pain, shorten the duration of treatment and reduce the dose of medication.
It is equally important to follow a diet - eating plant-based foods rich in vitamins, fish dishes and seafood helps regenerate 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 do not subject it to excessive stress.