The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body.Such a "complex" 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 pain in the knee - dull, aching, sharp, dull or even unbearable.Sometimes unpleasant sensations bother people only when walking or bending and straightening the legs, in some cases - regularly.
The nature of pain in the knee joint, as well as the reasons 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 an 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 be both an independent pathology and 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 deformation and deprives the joint of mobility.
- Due to injury due to a very strong blow to the knee, 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 effort can lead to knee injury.This often happens during sports and during active recreation, as 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 attention is provided, so that the injury does not worsen.
- 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.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 spread to adjacent areas, even to the toes.Bursitis can manifest itself in an acute form, but often becomes chronic.Acute bursitis is expressed in sharp pain in the leg above the knee or in the knee itself, redness of the skin and significant limitation of the mobility of the leg.Accumulated fluid is easily felt even through the skin;the swelling has a clear outline.
- Pain occurs when a cyst forms under the knee (Becker's 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 area of the tendons of the popliteal fossa and are localized on the inside of the fossa.
- Tendinitis (inflammation of ligaments and tendons) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a specific area.It increases with flexion and extension of the knees and contraction of the muscles associated with the inflamed tendon, and radiates to the adjacent muscles of the leg and thigh.
- Ischemic pain - occurs due to impaired 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, that is, in both knees, has the same intensity and does not affect the mobility of the joints.
Acute or chronic pain in the knee should not be ignored, so you should consult a doctor.After completing the diagnosis, the specialist will tell you what to do in a specific case.Treatment may consist of tablets, ointments, rubs, physical procedures and surgery.
Diagnosis
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's painful knee, conducts motor tests and takes a history to make an accurate diagnosis.In addition, the doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- Instrumentally - with the help of radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During the laboratory examination, general and biochemical tests, smear and blood test for bacterial microflora, serological test, bone marrow and joint fluid puncture are performed.
- Invasive methods include arthroscopy.
Based on the results of the tests and examinations, the specialist makes a diagnosis and tells you how to treat the knee pain in your case.
Treatment of knee pain
Doctors can determine why the joints hurt.That is why a timely visit to a specialist is an important component for the quick and correct elimination of the problem that has arisen.However, whatever the cause of the knee pain, the first thing to do is to reduce the load on the joints.Often during periods of acute pain, the patient needs bed rest followed by leg activation.It is recommended to use a cane or crutches when walking, and to wear soft and comfortable shoes.In some cases, the doctor prescribes orthopedic insoles.
At home, the main means of treating knee pain are chondroprotectors, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.The release forms 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 to the injured 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 recovery of damaged cartilage tissue, restore joint function and reduce the number of relapses of the disease.
- Applying a restrictive bandage may also help.But you need to be sure that this 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 will put a strain on the knee joints, and also all the time without movement is very harmful, the knees become stagnant.
Drug treatment is usually supplemented by a course of physical therapy.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 dishes and seafood helps to restore joint cartilage.And, of course, when the pain can be overcome, we must try to make sure that it does not return: lead a healthy lifestyle, strengthen the body and do not subject it to excessive stress.