Having knee pain is a common complaint, that can happen to anyone. It is not a serious issue, and sometimes its reasons are also unknown. Mostly, it happens when you have a Temporary knee injury or muscle strain. But can also lead to arthritis, so you have to take rest and over-the-counter medicines on time. If the pain gets severe, then Seek medical services to get the physical therapy. Read the article carefully, to learn more about knee pain, how to identify it and how can you find relief.

What is Knee Pain?

The pain and discomfort you feel in your knee joint and around is considered knee pain. The knee joint is a place that connects your thighs with the legs and is a support system of your body. When you move, there are chances of getting an injury too. Sometimes, knee pain can happen temporarily and can be reduced using medicines at home. But conditions like arthritis, or knee injury can cause you chronic knee pain.

Like injury in cartilage or ligament, need to get the medical treatment. So, you cannot neglect the knee pain and should consult a doctor for further medical help. Otherwise, you may end up having surgery or serious medical issues. Sometimes, you feel pain when you are moving or bending the knee. The pain may be mild or a sharp irritating pain starts to occur anytime that may cause you swelling.

Understanding The Knee Structure

The knee is the largest joint that consists of 4 main things, bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligament.

• Bones: The thigh bone, shinbone, and knee cap are 3 bones that make up the knee joint.
• Ligaments: your knee has 4 ligaments that act as strong ropes to keep the knee in place.
• Cartilage: there are 2 types of cartilage in the knee that are articular cartilage and meniscus.
• Tendons: it connects the muscles and bones

What Are the Causes of Knee Pain?

Because of a knee injury, abnormalities or overuse of the knee can cause knee pain and discomfort. Aging can also be the reason behind knee pain. There are many reasons like sprained ligament, tendinitis meniscus tear etc. The discomfort can start suddenly or get painful in the long term.

Knee Injuries:

Knee injury can affect any part of the knee like cartilage, bones, ligaments, and tendons. There are many types of knee injury.

• ACL injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament is a tear in one of the 4 ligaments. People who play basketball, soccer, or any sport can have chances of getting ACL injury.
• Fracture: from falling or any accident, the knee bones can get broken. And you will have a bone fracture. People who are suffering from osteoporosis, their bones also get weakened and get fractured easily.
• Meniscus tear: meniscus is a type of cartilage that is tough and rubbery. Meniscus tear will happen, if you have put weight on knees and suddenly twist them.
• Tendinitis: inflammation, soreness, and swelling in the tendon is called tendinitis. Runners and cyclists, who are into jumping activities and sports may get tendinitis.

Overuse injuries:

Doing intense exercises, aging or obesity will cause you knee pain. Running, and doing exercises that put all pressure on the knees will cause you knee pain in the long run. It is also known as runners knees.

Iliotibial band syndrome:

IT ban is the piece of tissues that start from the hip to the outer knee side. It gets inflamed after the time when you repeatedly do activities. Runners might face this problem when going downhill.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Pain behind or around the knee cap refers to patellofemoral pain. This syndrome mostly happens in children and young people. While cycling, running, or going upstairs people will feel the pain. Doctors recommend exercises to cure the problem.

Dislocated kneecap

When the triangular bone at the front of the knee gets dislocated and slips outside of the knee. The kneecap can also get dislocated and you will see the difference in knees and feel pain.

Arthritis

There are many different types of arthritis, some of which affect your knees. When you feel pain and discomfort in joints, it refers to arthritis. Types of arthritis that cause pain and swelling in knees are:

• Osteoarthritis: Because of use and age, wear and tear happens with cartilage and it gets broken. The knee joint becomes swollen and starts to pain when you move. This condition happens after 50s when you age a little.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: this can cause discomfort and pain in any joint of the body. The immune system attacks the healthy tissues of the knees. And worn down the cartilage to cause swelling and stiffness. This is a chronic disease that affects your knees and gets severe with time.

Symptoms Of Knee Pain

Signs and symptoms may vary from person to person. It also depends on the problem how severe the pain is and the location of the pain.

• The inability to move, bend, and straighten the knees.
• Redness, pain, and swelling around the knees
• Sharp or dull, stabbing pain that gets severe with time
• Stiffness and unable to put weight on knees.
• Muscle weakness

If you are facing these symptoms, consult a doctor. They will perform a detailed check-up and recommend therapy and medicines accordingly.

How To Relief Knee Pain?

If you have mild knee pain, then it will be treated using the RICE method.

• Rest as much as you can.
• Apply an ice pack for 15 minutes on the affected area.
• Wrap the compression bandage to reduce the swelling.
• Elevate your knee above from heart by using a pillow or cushion.

Along with this, use medicines like ibuprofen or aspirin to cure your knee pain and swelling. In case of severe pain, visit health care providers. They will recommend physical therapy and exercises to strengthen the muscles. The doctor will go for surgery when you have severe arthritis or bone fracture.

Final Words

Knee pain is not an alarming condition. Anyone can feel it anytime because of minor knee injuries and issues. You just need to rest and follow the exercises for stretching and muscle strengthening. But, if the pain worsens, then visit a doctor for further medication and physical therapy. Many knee pain treatments will help you find relief. And you will go back to normal days of life.