Knee Injury
The precise location of knee pains can help identify the
problem. Pain on the front of the knee can be due to bursitis,
arthritis pain, or
a general softening of the patella cartilage as in chrondromalacia
patella. Pain on the sides of the knee is commonly related
to injuries to the collateral ligaments, arthritis, or tears
to the meniscuses. Pain in the back of the knee can be caused
by arthritis or cysts, known as Baker’s cysts. Baker’s
cysts are an accumulation of joint fluid (synovial fluid)
that forms behind the knee.
Overall knee pain can be due to health issues such as bursitis,
arthritis, tears in the ligaments, osteoarthritis of the joint,
or infection. Instability, or giving way, is also another
common knee problem. Instability is usually associated with
damage or problems with the meniscuses, collateral ligaments
or patella tracking.
Knee pain usually results from overuse, poor form during
physical activity, not warming up or cooling down, or inadequate
stretching. Simple causes of kneepain often clear up on their
own with self medicated care. Being overweight can put you
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Knee pain can be caused by:
Arthritis -- including rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and
gout, or other connective tissue disorders like lupus.
Bursitis -- inflammation from repeated pressure on the
knee (like kneeling for long periods of time, overuse, or
injury).
Tendinitis -- a pain in the front of your knee that gets
worse when going up and down stairs or inclines. Happens
to runners, skiers, and cyclists.
Baker's cyst -- a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee
that may accompany inflammation from other causes, like
arthritis. If the cyst ruptures, pain in the back of your
knee can travel down your calf.
Torn cartilage (a meniscus tear) -- can cause pain on
the inside or outside of the knee joint.
Torn ligament (ACL tear) -- can cause pain and instability
of the knee.
Strain or sprain -- minor injuries to the ligaments caused
by sudden or unnatural twisting, possibly incurred by running.
A good reason to engage in more
rational running methods.
Dislocation of the kneecap.
Infection in the joint.
Knee injuries -- can cause bleeding into your knee, which
worsens the pain.
Hip disorders -- may cause pain which is felt in the knee.
For example, iliotibial band syndrome is injury to the thick
band that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee.
Less common conditions that can lead to knee pain include
the following:
- Bone tumors
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Blockage in the leg arteries
or peripheral artery disease
Many causes of knee pain, especially those related to overuse
or physical activity, respond well to self-care:
- Rest and avoid activities that aggravate the pain, especially
weight bearing activities.
- Apply ice. First, apply it every hour for up to 15 minutes.
After the first day, apply it at least 4 times per day.
- Keep your knee elevated as much as possible to bring
any swelling down.
Gently compress the knee by wearing an ace bandage or elastic
sleeve. Either can be purchased at most pharmacies. This
may reduce swelling and provide support.
- Take acetaminophen for pain or ibuprofen for pain and
swelling.
- Sleep with a pillow underneath or between your knees.
Call your health care provider if:
- You cannot bear weight on your knee.
- You have severe pain, even when not bearing weight.
- Your knee buckles, clicks, or locks.
- Your knee is deformed or misshapen.
- You have a fever, redness or warmth around the knee,
or significant swelling.
- You have pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or bluish
discoloration in the calf below the sore knee.
- You still have pain after 3 days of home treatment.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
Your health care provider will perform a physical examination,
with careful attention to your knees, hips, legs, and other
joints.
To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your doctor will
ask medical history questions, such as:
- When did your knee first begin to hurt?
- Have you had knee pain before? What was the cause?
- How long has this episode of knee pain lasted?
- Do you feel the pain continuously or off and on?
- Are both knees affected?
- Is the pain in your entire knee or one specific location
like the kneecap, outer or inner edge, or below the knee?
- Would you say that the pain is severe?
- Does it feel bruised?
- Can you stand or walk?
- Have you had an injury or accident involving the knee?
- Have you overused the leg? Describe your usual activities
and exercise routine.
- What home treatments have you tried? Have they helped?
- Do you have other symptoms, like pain in your hip, pain
down your leg or calf, knee swelling, swelling in your calf
or leg, fever?
The following diagnostic tests may be performed:
Fluid drawn from the knee and analyzed
X-rays of the knees.
Medical imaging (MRI) of the knee if a ligament or meniscus
tear is suspected.
Your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) that are stronger than
generic prescription drugs available over-the-counter
in drug stores.
If those don't help, your doctor may prescribe other
drug store prescriptions, or the doctor may inject a steroid
to reduce knee pain and knee inflammation.
Referrals to a physical therapist (to learn stretching and
strengthening exercises) and podiatrist (to be fitted for
orthotics) may be necessary. These help prevent repeated problems.
In some cases, knee surgery is needed. For example, if arthritis
is severe, a joint replacement may be recommended. Find out
if joint replacement
surgery is a viable option for your particular knee pain situation
and as a knee injury cure solution.
Minor knee ligament strain will heal with home care and torn
ligaments may recover with use of a knee brace. However, for
significant tears or ruptures, as well as a torn meniscus,
arthroscopic knee surgery is often needed.
Recovery from ligament and meniscus problems is slow. Crutches
and extended physical therapy may be needed. |
