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 throughout our lives, at least once, each of us has experienced knee pain: dull, aching, sharp, dull or 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, as well as the causes that provoke 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 an injury or be pathological in nature.Sometimes this is a symptom of a serious disease, which can be determined by the nature of the sensations and a number of additional signs.
Among the most common reasons why knees hurt are the following:
- 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;over a long period of time it causes deformations and deprives the joint of mobility.
- Due to an 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 Damage – Any activity that involves physical exertion can lead to knee injury.This often happens when playing sports and during active recreation, a sharp pain is immediately felt and the joint swells.If this happens, it is necessary to exclude further stress on the injured leg until medical intervention, so as not to aggravate the injury.
- Damage to the meniscus.The meniscus is a rounded piece of cartilage in the knee joint that is easily damaged by sudden squatting or twisting.Your doctor diagnoses this cause after an in-person exam, an ultrasound, and an 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 excessive formation of liquid in the joint, or rather in the bag where it is located.The pain is not localized and can often radiate to nearby areas, even the toes.Bursitis can occur acutely, but 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 liquid is easily felt even through the skin;the swelling has a clear outline.
- The pain occurs when a cyst forms below the knee (Becker's cyst).The formation appears in the pit as a result of a previously observed inflammatory process in the knee joint.Substances accumulated during inflammation of the joints penetrate into the tendon areas of the popliteal fossa and localize inside the fossa.
- Tendinitis (inflammation of the ligaments and tendons) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a specific area.It intensifies with the flexion and extension of the knees and with the contraction of the muscles associated with the tendon affected by the inflammation, and radiates to the nearby muscles of the leg and thigh.
- Ischemic pain: occurs due to reduced blood supply to the knee joint.The cause could be a sudden change in weather, a long stay in the cold and excessive physical activity.As a rule, the pain is localized 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 it is necessary to 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, massage, physical procedures and surgery.
Diagnostics
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's painful knee, performs motor tests, and takes the medical history to make an accurate diagnosis.Additionally, your doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- Instrumental: using radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During the laboratory study, general and biochemical tests are performed, a smear and a blood test for bacterial microflora, a serological test, a puncture of the bone marrow and joint fluid are performed.
- 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 of quickly and correctly eliminating the problem that has arisen.However, whatever the cause of knee pain, the first thing to do is to reduce the load on the joints.Often during periods of acute pain, the patient requires bed rest followed by leg activation.We recommend using a cane or crutches for walking and wearing soft, comfortable shoes.In some cases, the doctor prescribes orthopedic insoles.
At home, the main means of drug treatment for knee pain are chondroprotectives, painkillers and anti-inflammatories.The forms of release of these drugs can 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 more effective at 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 to 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 contribute to the restoration of damaged cartilage tissue, restore joint function and reduce the number of relapses of the disease.
- The application of a containment bandage can also help.But you need to be sure that it can be done for your injury, otherwise you could only make the situation worse.
- If your knee hurts when you sit in the same place for a long time, then you need to move around a little.A sedentary lifestyle or sedentary work is very dangerous: there is a risk of gaining weight, which will put stress on the knee joints, and all the time without movement is also very harmful, the knees become stagnant.
Pharmacological treatment is usually complemented 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 foods rich in vitamins, fish and seafood dishes helps 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 not subject it to excessive stress.