Knee pain is one of the most common joint complaints among adults of all ages. Whether it comes on suddenly after an injury or develops gradually over time, knee pain can interfere with walking, exercising, and everyday activities.
Your knee is a complex joint made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and fluid-filled sacs. When any of these structures become irritated, injured, or inflamed, pain and stiffness can follow.
Understanding the cause of your knee pain is the first step toward effective treatment. Below, you’ll learn about common causes, symptoms, treatment options, and supportive products that may help improve comfort and mobility.
What Is Knee Pain?
Are you suffering from knee pain? You are not alone. It is the most common musculoskeletal condition that people report to their doctors. As society becomes increasingly active, the number of people suffering from knee pain also rises. The condition has many specific causes, treatments, and therapeutic products for knee pain.
Knee pain- it can come on suddenly, be chronic, result as the by product of an injury, or even be genetic. The severity of the condition can vary from a simple ache to much more severe and disabling pain. With such a wide range of knee pain issues, it is essential to seek out medical support so you can determine the treatment that is right for your condition.
Once you know the source of your knee pain, check out the knee pain exercises to learn about options for easing your pain.
Knee Pain Quick Facts:
- Knee pain is one of the most common joint problems reported to doctors by people of all ages.
- There are many reasons for knee pain symptoms, from medical complications and genetics to acute injuries.
- Knee pain could be diffused throughout the knee or localized to a particular area.
- Knee pain restricts movement.
- A thorough examination by a doctor is always necessary for diagnosis of the cause of knee pain.
- Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the knee pain.
- Even in cases of severe knee pain, the prognosis is usually good. However, for complete healing surgery or other types of interventions may be necessary.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Your knee joint consists of bone, ligaments, cartilage, and fluid. To help the knee joint to move, it has muscles and tendons. If any of these structures are injured or diseased, the result is painful knee problems that make it difficult to walk and cause pain. Knee pain is caused by several factors, including injury, mechanical problems, and illness
Knee Injuries
An injury can be devastating if it affects any of the structures of your knee joint or the fluid sacs that offer lubrication for smooth movement of the knee. Some common knee injuries that cause pain are:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Meniscus
Mechanical Problems
There are mechanical problems that can cause debilitating knee pain. The mechanical issues below can result from overuse, normal wear of the joint or injury:
- Loose cartilage or bone
- Kneecap dislocation
- Change of gait due to foot or hip pain
Medical Conditions
Examples of common ailments that cause knee pain are:
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Pseudogout
Common Knee Conditions That Cause Pain
Runner’s Knee
Runner's knee is a dull pain felt at the front part of the knee. This condition has many causes, including running or walking gait or mechanical problems. Symptoms of runner's knee are clicking, rubbing or grinding sound when walking, and pain.
Weak Knees
A condition that is often chronic or hereditary but can also result from overuse, muscle weakness, and overcompensation.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
This condition affects younger people, mostly in their teens when their bones and other parts of their bodies are changing. If you suffer from Osgood-Schlatter disease, you will notice a painful bump just below your knee, where the tendon from your kneecap connects to your shin. Overdoing exercise or playing strenuous sports in school will often make the tendon hurt. The knee pain caused by the disease tends to come and go over time.
Patellar Tendonitis
Patellar Tendinitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the tissues connecting your shin bone to the kneecap. If you overdo exercise, these tendons can become inflamed and painful. This condition is also called "jumper's knee" because it's most common cause is repetitive jumping.
Osteoarthritis
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with the CDC reporting that more than 54% of Americans have received a diagnosis of some form of arthritis. However, osteoarthritis is one of the most common and is a leading cause of knee pain for people over the age of 50. If you suffer from this "wear and tear" condition, you may suffer stiff joints early in the day and pain or swelling when you move.
Knee Pain Symptoms
Just as there are many knee pain causes, there are also many knee pain symptoms. Some common knee pain symptoms include:
- Instability in the legs
- Weakness in the knee
- Swelling or inflammation of the knee
- Redness or warmth surrounding the joint of the knee
- Popping noises when you move your knee
- Difficulty standing or straightening the leg
- Pain that increases when you bend the knee joint
- Pain that limits your ability to participate in everyday activities or sports
Understanding that all knee pain symptoms lead to individualized diagnosis, it is important to speak to a medical professional so that you can properly diagnose the knee pain you are feeling. Upon diagnosing it properly, you can seek the knee pain treatment that is appropriate for your condition.
Knee Pain Treatment Options
Knee pain treatment options are typically condition-specific. Although knee pain is not always serious, some underlying conditions and injuries can cause joint damage, debilitating pain, and even disability if not properly diagnosed and treated.
The damage to the joint and the intensity of pain determine the type of treatment your doctor or physical therapist will recommend. Common treatments for knee pain and the underlying conditions are:
- Inflammation medication
- Painkilling injections
- Osteopathic manipulation
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
While you are looking for immediate relief, the best knee pain treatment also requires steps towards long-term healing.
Get Quick Relief and Complete Recovery from Knee Pain
The knee is one of the most important joints in your body. If you suffer an injury or illness, the pain can be debilitating. We provide a selection of quality knee straps, patellar stabilizers, compression sleeves, and stretches to provide relief from knee pain symptoms and accelerate your recovery.
PLEASE NOTE: The information on this website and article is for information only and should not be used as a substitute for consulting your doctor. Consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and rehabilitation.
