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 unusual that throughout our lives, at least once, each of us has experienced pain in the knee - deep, painful, sharp, muffled, or even unbearable.Sometimes unpleasant sensations bother people only when walking or bending over, and 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 reasons why knees are injured are the following:
- Arthritis of the knee joint is an inflammatory disease.It can be either an independent pathology or a symptom or complication of other diseases.
- Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is a degenerative process of the destruction of articular tissues;over a long period of time it causes deformity and deprives the joint of mobility.
- Due to an 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 exertion can lead to knee injury.This often happens when playing sports and during active leisure time, and immediate sharp pain is felt and the joint swells.If this happens, it is necessary to exclude 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 in the knee joint that is easily damaged by sudden squatting or twisting.The doctor diagnoses this cause after a personal examination, ultrasound and X-ray.
- Bursitis.Many people wonder why their knees hurt when bending.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 teeth.Bursitis can manifest itself 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 mobility.The accumulated fluid can also be easily felt 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 accumulated during inflammation in the joints penetrate into the tendon areas of the popliteal fossa and are located on the inside of the fossa.
- Tendonitis (inflammation of ligaments and tendons) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a specific area.It strengthens with flexion and extension of the knees and contraction of the muscles connected to the tendon affected by the inflammation, and radiates to the adjacent muscles of the leg and thigh.
- Ischemic pain - occurs due to poor blood supply to the knee joint.The cause can be a sudden change in the weather, a long stay in the cold and excessive physical activity.As a rule, the pain is located symmetrically, that is, in both knees, 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 the diagnosis is completed, the specialist will tell you what to do in a particular case.Treatment may consist of pills, ointments, rubs, physical procedures and surgery.
Diagnostics
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's knee, performs motion tests and collects anamnesis to make an accurate diagnosis.In addition, the doctor may prescribe the following examinations:
- Instrumental - uses radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During a laboratory study, biochemical tests are generally taken, a smear and a blood test for bacterial microflora, a serological test, a puncture of the bone marrow and joint fluid.
- Invasive methods include 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 part of quickly and correctly eliminating the problem that has arisen.However, regardless of the cause of the knee pain, the first thing 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 crutch when walking, and wear soft and comfortable shoes.In some cases, the doctor prescribes orthopedic insoles.
At home, the primary means of drug treatment for knee pain are chondroprotective, painkillers 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 damage.
- NSAIDs are most effective in relieving pain and inflammation.But they have no effect 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 affected area.After a while the pain starts 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 can also help.But you must make 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, then 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 stress on the knee joints, and even without movement is very harmful, the knees stagnate.
Drug treatment is usually supplemented 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 to restore joint cartilage.And, of course, if the pain can be overcome, we must try to make sure that it does not come back: lead a healthy lifestyle, strengthen the body and not be subject to excess stress.