The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body.Such a "sophisticated" device together with constant load makes the joint very vulnerable.
In this regard, it is not surprising that each of us has experienced knee pain at least once in our life - dull, aching, sharp, dull or even unbearable.Sometimes unpleasant sensations bother people only when walking or bending over and straightening their legs, in some cases - regularly.
The nature of knee joint pain, as well as its causes, 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 occur due to trauma or be pathological in 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:
- 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 joint tissue destruction;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, hitting it against a hard object or falling.In this case, the joint is excessively damaged and bends unnaturally.
- Ligament damage - Any activity that involves physical exertion can cause knee injury.This often happens during sports and during active rest, a sharp pain is immediately felt, the joint swells.If this happens, it is important to relieve stress on the injured leg until medical attention is provided to prevent the injury from worsening.
- 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-rays.
- Bursitis.Many people wonder why their knees hurt when they bend.There can be many answers to this question, but sometimes it is a normal excess of fluid in the joint, or rather, in the bursa where it is located.The pain is not localized and can often spread to neighboring areas, even to the toes.Bursitis can occur in an acute form, but often becomes chronic.Acute bursitis is expressed as a sharp pain in the leg above the knee or in the knee itself, redness of the skin and significant limitation of leg mobility.Accumulated liquid is easily felt even through the skin;swelling has a clear outline.
- The pain occurs when a cyst forms under the knee (Becker cyst).The formation occurs in the pit due to the previously observed inflammatory process in the knee joint.Substances accumulated during inflammation in the joints penetrate into the tendon areas of the plantar fossa and are localized on the inner side of the fossa.
- Tendonitis (inflammation of ligaments and tendons) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a certain area.It is aggravated by bending and extending the knee and by contracting the muscles associated with the inflamed tendon and radiates to the adjacent muscles of the calf 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.Usually, the pain is localized symmetrically, that is, in both knees, has the same intensity and does not affect the mobility of the joint.
Acute or chronic knee pain should not be ignored and a doctor should be consulted.After completing the diagnosis, the specialist will tell you what to do in a specific case.Treatment may include pills, ointments, rubs, physical procedures, and surgery.
Diagnostics
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's painful knee, conducts motion tests and collects anamnesis to establish an accurate diagnosis.In addition, the doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- Instrumental - using 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 puncture and joint fluid are taken.
- 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 your joints hurt.Therefore, a timely visit to a specialist is an important component in order to quickly and correctly eliminate the problem.However, whatever the cause of knee pain, the first thing you need to do is reduce the load on the joints.Often during periods of acute pain, the patient needs bed rest followed by leg activation.When walking, it is recommended to use a stick or crutches, and wear soft and comfortable shoes.In some cases, the doctor prescribes orthopedic insoles.
At home, the main means of drug treatment for multi-joint pain are chondroprotective, pain-relieving 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.However, they do not affect 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 affected area.After a while, 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 functions and reduce the number of relapses of the disease.
- A restraining 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 after sitting 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 stiff.
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 medication.
It is no less important to follow a diet - eating vitamin-rich plant foods, fish dishes and seafood helps restore joint cartilage.And, of course, when the pain is overcome, we must try to prevent it from returning: lead a healthy lifestyle, strengthen the body and do not put it under too much stress.