The knee joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body.Such a "difficult" device, along with the constant load, makes the joint very vulnerable.
In this regard, it is not surprising that at least once in our lives, each of us has experienced pain in the knee area - 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 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 be caused by trauma 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.
Some of the most common causes of knee pain include:
- 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;For a long time, it causes deformation and deprives the joint of mobility.
- Due to an injury due to a very strong blow to the knee, impact with a heavy object, or a fall.In this case, the joint is excessively damaged and bends unnaturally.
- Ligament Injury - Any activity that involves physical exertion can cause knee injury.This often happens during sports and during active rest, and immediately sharp pain is felt and the joint is swollen.If this happens, it is important to rule out further stress on the injured leg before seeking medical attention to avoid aggravating 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 determines this reason after a personal examination, ultrasound and X-ray.
- Bursitis.Many people wonder why my knees hurt when I bend.There can be many answers to this question, but sometimes it is the normal formation of excess 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 manifest itself in an acute form, but often becomes chronic.Acute bursitis is manifested by severe pain in the leg above the knee or in the knee itself, redness of the skin and significant limitation of leg movement.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 the previously observed inflammatory process in the knee joint.Substances accumulated during inflammation in the joints penetrate the tendons of the popliteal fossa and are localized inside the fossa.
- Tendonitis (inflammation of ligaments and tendons) is characterized by swelling and discomfort in a specific area.It is strengthened by 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 a violation of 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 exertion.As a rule, the pain is localized symmetrically, that is, in both knees, has the same intensity and does not affect the movement of the joints.
Acute or chronic knee pain that appears should not be ignored, so it is necessary to consult a doctor.After the diagnosis, the specialist will tell you what to do in a particular case.Treatment may consist of tablets, ointments, rubs, physical procedures, and surgery.
diagnosis
First, the orthopedist examines the patient's painful knee, conducts motion tests and collects an anamnesis to establish an accurate diagnosis.In addition, the doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- Instrumental - using radiography.Ultrasound, CT, MRI or densitometry.
- During laboratory research, general and biochemical tests are taken, 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 knee pain in your case.
Treatment of knee pain
Doctors can determine why my joints hurt.Therefore, a timely visit to a specialist is an important component to quickly and correctly eliminate the problem.However, whatever the cause of knee pain, the first thing you should do is reduce the load on the joints.Often during acute pain, the patient needs bed rest, followed by leg activation.When walking, it is recommended to use a cane or crutches, to wear soft and comfortable shoes.In some cases, the doctor prescribes orthopedic underwear.
At home, the primary means of drug treatment for knee pain are chondroprotectors, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory drugs.The release forms of these medicines can be different (gels, creams, ointments, injections, tablets).The specialist determines one or another form of the drug depending on the type, degree and location of the injury.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 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 can help.You can take an ice pack and apply it to the affected area.After some time, the pain will begin to subside.
- Chondroprotectors, on the contrary, do not reduce pain, but with long-term use, they help restore damaged cartilage tissue, restore joint function, and reduce the number of disease recurrences.
- Applying a restraining bandage may also help.But you need to be 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 should 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 also moving without all the time is very harmful, the knees stop.
Drug treatment usually complements 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 the diet - taking vitamin-rich plant foods, fish dishes and seafood helps to restore articular cartilage.And, of course, when the pain can be overcome, we should try to prevent it from returning: lead a healthy lifestyle, strengthen the body and not subject it to excessive stress.