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 each of us throughout our life, at least once, has experienced pain in the knee - dull, aching, sharp, dull or even unbearable.Sometimes unpleasant sensations bother people only when they walk or bend and straighten 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 illness, which can be determined by the nature of the sensations and a number of additional signs.
Among the most common causes of knee pain are the following:
- Arthritis of the knee joint is an inflammatory disease.It can either be an independent pathology or a symptom or complication of other diseases.
- Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a degenerative process with destruction of articular tissue;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 Injury - Any activity that involves physical exertion 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 loading of the injured leg until medical attention is provided, so as not to aggravate the injury.
- Meniscal injury.The meniscus is a rounded piece of cartilage in the knee joint that is easily damaged by a sudden bump or twist.The doctor diagnoses this cause after a personal examination, ultrasound and X-ray.
- Bursitis.Many people wonder why their knees hurt when they bend.There can 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 appear 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 fluid can easily be felt even through the skin;the swelling has a clear outline.
- 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 that accumulate during inflammation of the joints penetrate 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 reduced 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.As a rule, the pain is localized symmetrically, i.e. in both knees, has the same intensity and does not affect joint mobility.
Acute or chronic knee pain that occurs 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 case.Treatment may consist of tablets, ointments, rubs, physical procedures and surgery.
Diagnostics
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's sore knees, performs movement tests and collects anamnesis in order to make an accurate diagnosis.In addition, the doctor may prescribe the following examinations:
- Instrumental - using radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During a laboratory examination, general and biochemical tests, a smear and a blood sample for bacterial microflora, a serological test, a puncture of bone marrow and synovial fluid are taken.
- 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 to quickly and correctly eliminate the problem that has arisen.But regardless of the cause of knee pain, the first thing to do is to reduce the stress 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 drug treatment for knee pain is chondroprotective, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory drugs.The forms of release of these drugs 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 injury.
- NSAIDs are most effective at relieving pain and inflammation.But they have no influence on the cause of the disease.
- If your knee is swollen and painful, an ice pack will help.You can take an ice pack and apply it on 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 restraint bandage may also help.But you have to be sure that it can be done for your injury, otherwise you can only make the situation worse.
- If your knee hurts when you sit in one place for a long time, move around a bit.A sedentary lifestyle or sedentary work is very dangerous - there is a risk of gaining excess weight, which will strain the knee joints, and also all the time without movement is very harmful, the knees stagnate.
Drug treatment is usually supplemented with 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 shellfish help to restore joint cartilage.And of course, when the pain can be overcome, we must try to ensure that it does not return: lead a healthy lifestyle, strengthen the body and do not subject it to excessive stress.