Knee pain is a common complaint among adults and most often associated with general wear and tear from daily activities like walking, bending, standing and lifting. Athletes who run or play sports that involve jumping or quick pivoting are also more likely to experience knee pain and problems. But whether an individual’s knee pain is caused by aging or injury, it can be a nuisance and even debilitating in some circumstances.
Symptoms
The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:
· Swelling and stiffness
· Redness and warmth to the touch
· Weakness or instability
· Popping or crunching noises
· Inability to fully straighten the knee
What are the most common causes of knee pain?
The most common causes of knee pain include:
Overuse
Physical activities, exercise, playing sports and doing physical work can all stress your knee joint. Doing the same repetitive motion (like jumping a lot, or working on your hands and knees) can cause knee pain.
Knee pain is a symptom of common overuse issues, including:
· Patellofemoral pain (PFPS or runner’s knee).
· Osgood-Schlatter disease (jumper’s knee) — only in kids and teens.
· Tendinitis (especially patellar tendinitis).
· Bursitis (especially prepatellar bursitis).
Arthritis
Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in your joints. Knee arthritis is common. It causes symptoms like pain, swelling and stiffness. Several types of arthritis can cause knee pain, including:
· Osteoarthritis.
· Rheumatoid arthritis.
· Post-traumatic arthritis.
Injuries
Any injury that damages your knee joint can cause pain. Knee injuries can include:
· Repetitive strain injuries.
· Sports injuries.
· Traumas like falls or car accidents.
Some of the most common injuries that cause knee pain include:
· Knee sprains.
· Hyperextended knees.
· Knee ligament tears (injuries that affect your ACL, PCL, MCL or LCL).
· Meniscus tears.
· Bone fractures (broken bones).
· Dislocations.
Care and Treatment
How is knee pain treated?
Which treatments you’ll need for knee pain will depend on what’s causing it. A healthcare provider will suggest treatments based on the pain’s severity and its cause.
1. RICE method for knee pain
You can usually treat knee pain at home with the RICE method:
Rest: Stop the physical activity that caused the pain to avoid making the injury worse.
Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for the first day after your injury. After one day, you can apply ice every three to four hours. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin (wrap the ice pack in a towel or washcloth).
Compression: Compression helps reduce blood flow to your injured knee and reduces swelling. Apply a compression bandage or wrap it around your knee. A healthcare provider can show you how to apply and wear a compression wrap safely.
Elevation: Keep your knee elevated above the level of your heart. You can prop your knee up with pillows, blankets or cushions.
2. Medications for knee pain
Your healthcare provider might suggest medications to relieve the knee pain and any other symptoms you’re experiencing.Most people can take over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Don’t take these medications for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider or if you have kidney or liver disease.
3. Knee braces
A knee brace supports your knee and holds it in place. Knee braces work by keeping your knee in alignment. They’re usually made of stiff plastic or metal with cushions and straps that wrap around your knee and leg. Your provider will tell you which type of brace you’ll need and how often you should wear it.
4. Physical therapy
Your provider might suggest physical therapy if you have arthritis or are recovering from an injury. A physical therapist will show you stretches and exercises that strengthen the muscles around your affected knee. This will improve your stability and can relieve pain.
5. Knee surgery
Most people with knee pain won’t need surgery. But your provider may suggest it if the pain is severe and other treatments haven’t helped. You might need surgery to repair a damaged ligament, bone fracture or if you have severe arthritis.
How can I prevent knee pain?
The best way to prevent pain is to stay safe when you’re physically active. During sports or other physical activities:
· Wear the right protective equipment.
· Don’t “play through the pain” if your knee hurts during or after physical activity.
· Give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity.
· Stretch and warm up before playing sports or working out.
· Cool down and stretch after physical activity.
