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Knee pain: 11 causes and how to remove
Knee pain is a symptom that can arise due to joint wear, excess weight, or sports injuries that can occur during a run or soccer game.
However, when knee pain prevents walking or worsens over time, it can be a sign of a more serious problem such as a torn ligament, osteoarthritis, or Baker's cyst, which can be confirmed through imaging tests such as an X-ray or CT scan.
However, knee pain, in most cases, is not serious and can be treated at home with the application of ice 2 times a day, for the first 3 days after the onset of pain. In addition to this, the use of a knee brace throughout the day helps to immobilize it, reducing pain while waiting for the consultation.
1. Trauma injury
Trauma injury to the knee can occur from a fall, bruise, blow, sprain to the knee, or trauma, for example. In these cases, the pain can arise throughout the knee or in specific regions according to the location of the injury.
- What to do : in case of minor injuries, without fracture, you can rest or apply an ice pack 2 to 3 times a day for 15 minutes. However, in more serious cases, such as a fracture, medical help should be sought immediately to initiate appropriate treatment. Physical therapy is also recommended to aid recovery and relieve pain, even in mild cases.
2. Ligament tear
Knee ligament rupture can occur from a sprain caused by a forceful blow or twisting of the knee during a sudden change in direction, for example. The type of pain usually indicates the ligament that was torn:
- Pain in the lateral part : it may indicate injury to the anterior, posterior cruciate ligaments or the coronary ligament;
- Knee pain when stretching the leg : may indicate a ruptured patellar ligament;
- Internal pain : may indicate injury to the medial collateral ligament;
- Deep pain, in the middle of the knee : it can be a rupture of the anterior or posterior cruciate ligament.
- Generally, when the ligament tear is mild, no specific treatment is necessary, but it should always be evaluated by an orthopedist or physical therapist.
What to do : you can apply ice packs 3 to 4 times a day for 20 minutes for 3 to 4 days, as well as rest, use crutches to avoid overloading the knees, elevate the leg to avoid inflammation and use a knee brace on the affected joint . In more serious cases, it is important to consult a doctor, who can immobilize the knee with a splint for 4 to 6 weeks and, if necessary, indicate surgery. Learn about other treatment options for knee ligament rupture.
3. Tendinitis
Tendinitis is an inflammation in a tendon of the knee and the type of pain varies with the location of the knee:
- Pain in the front of the knee : indicates inflammation in the patellar tendon;
- Pain in the lateral part of the knee : indicates inflammation in the iliotibial tendon;
- Pain in the inner part of the knee : indicates inflammation in the tendons of the goose foot.
- Generally, one of the characteristic symptoms of tendonitis is knee pain when stretching the leg and is more common in athletes, due to the impact of physical activities such as running, cycling, soccer, basketball or tennis. In addition, there may be natural wear and tear on the joint, which is also frequent in the elderly.
What to do : you must rest and use a knee brace, apply ice packs for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day, this can help relieve pain and fight inflammation. It is important to consult an orthopedist for a better evaluation and treatment with anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen, for example. Also, physical therapy can be done to strengthen the knee muscles and prevent the development of tendonitis again. Learn about other ways to treat patellar tendonitis.
4. Bursitis
Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, which is a small sac that contains fluid and works as a shock absorber, in addition to reducing friction between the bones, tendons and muscles of the joints.
The knee has 11 bursae and generally activities such as repeatedly bending the knee or kneeling, playing sports such as jiu-jitsu, soccer and volleyball, falls or blows can cause irritation and inflammation of the bursa, causing pre-patellar bursitis, which causes pain in the upper knee and swelling.
Also, obesity or osteoarthritis can cause anserine bursitis, also called goose foot bursitis, which causes knee pain on the inside just below the joint.
What to do : you must rest and apply an ice pack for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. In addition, as it is an inflammation, bursitis must be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs taken by mouth, such as Ibuprofen or Diclofenac, for example, or by applying a corticosteroid injection right into the bursa. Other treatments include physical therapy and surgery.
5. Osteoarthrosis
Osteoarthrosis or osteoarthritis in the knee is a rheumatic disease that causes degeneration of the cartilage of this joint, decreasing the quality, quantity and thickness of the cartilage, causing chronic pain.
This disease can impact daily activities by causing pain in the knee when walking, at the end of the day, by standing for a long time or by pain in the knee when climbing stairs, for example.
What to do : it is important to consult an orthopedist, since the treatment must be carried out with pain relievers such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen or Diclofenac. In addition, physiotherapy sessions are also recommended and, in some cases, the doctor may administer corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections to the affected knee.
6. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that causes stiffness, pain, and swelling in the joints. The pain in the knee when waking up can be caused by this disease, being that it is more intense during the first minutes of the morning and improves with movement.
Also, knee pain that arises with swelling, not caused by trauma, may indicate rheumatoid arthritis.
What to do : analgesics and anti-inflammatories can be used to relieve pain, but treatment should always be accompanied by a rheumatologist to assess the evolution of the disease, as well as a physical therapist to improve knee movement. Learn more about treating rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Iliotibial band syndrome
Iliotibial band syndrome causes pain in the side of the knee and is very common in running, cycling, or other sports who need to repeatedly bend the knee. Generally, this syndrome is related to weakness and poor muscle flexibility or errors in training with inadequate intensities and weights. In addition to the conditions in which the sport is practiced, such as the type of terrain, tennis or an inappropriate posture, for example. This type of pain should not be ignored, as it can get worse over time.
What to do : you can use an anti-inflammatory ointment 2 to 3 times a day or apply a frozen compress for 15 minutes. It is important, before practicing any physical activity, perform muscle strengthening activities, such as exercises with weights or stretching, always under the guidance of a physical trainer. However, in case the pain in the lateral part of the knee occurs when physical activity is being practiced, the ideal is to consult an orthopedist for the correct diagnosis and treatment with anti-inflammatories such as Diclofenac or Ibuprofen, for example, in addition , of physiotherapy to strengthen muscles. Learn how iliotibial band syndrome is treated.
8. Meniscus injury
Pain in the knee when bending the leg, in the inside of the knee, when climbing stairs, when bending over or inside the knee, for example, may indicate an injury to the meniscus which is a disc that functions as a pillow or shock absorber. inside the knee. Generally, injuries to the meniscus are caused by physical activities such as judo, jiu-jitsu or by natural degeneration, which is the aging of the meniscus and which can begin around 40 years of age.
What to do : rest and avoid activities that move the knee a lot, as well as physical therapy to strengthen the knee muscles. In some cases, the doctor may also give injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid in the knee. In the most severe cases, surgery may be indicated.
9. Problems in the patella (kneecap)
Other common causes of knee pain are problems with the patella, also called the kneecap, such as chondropathy patellae, which is wear and tear on the joint around the patella, or chondromalacia patella, which is the softening of the cartilage of the patella. Generally, the causes of problems in the patella are aging, obesity, flat feet or the practice of sports such as running, for example.
Injuries to the kneecap can cause knee pain when bending over or going down stairs, as well as a feeling of the knee coming out of place.
What to do : for racing practitioners, it is advisable to temporarily switch sports to swimming or hydro-gymnastics until the knee muscles are strengthened. Physical therapy can help in strengthening the knee, and after pain relief, bodybuilding or weight training can be done under the guidance of a fitness trainer. In addition, the doctor may give hyaluronic acid injections in the knee, and in the most severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
10. Baker's cyst
Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a lump that forms behind the knee, in the joint, due to the accumulation of fluid. It causes pain in the back of the knee, swelling, stiffness, and pain when bending the knee, which are made worse by physical activity. The causes of Baker's cyst are osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, for example.
What to do : you should be resting and consult an orthopedist to aspirate the fluid from the cyst or apply corticosteroid injections directly into it. In case the cyst ruptures, the treatment is surgical. Learn more about treating Baker's cyst.
11. Osgood-Schlatter disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease is an inflammation in the patellar tendon and is related to rapid growth, and can occur in children between 10 and 15 years of age. Generally, the pain occurs after physical activities such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, or Olympic gymnastics, for example. In addition, it can cause pain in the lower part of the knee which improves with rest.
What to do : you should be at rest, limiting physical activities that cause pain. You can apply ice packs for 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day or apply anti-inflammatory ointments to the area of pain. In addition, it is important to have a clinical follow-up by an orthopedist.
Diet for knee pain
Enriching the daily diet with foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as salmon, ginger, turmeric, saffron, macerated garlic or chia seeds, help to complement the treatment of knee pain and prevent pain in other joints. Learn more examples of anti-inflammatory foods to eat more on pain days.
In addition, very sugary foods should be avoided, as they aggravate inflammation in any part of the body.
Alternative treatment for knee pain
Normally, knee pain can be treated with anti-inflammatories prescribed by the orthopedist such as Diclofenac or Ibuprofen, and in some cases they may recommend surgery to replace the parts of the knee that are damaged. However, an alternative treatment can be adopted to relieve pain, especially in those people who are sensitive to the intake of anti-inflammatories and includes:
- Homeopathy : the traumatologist can prescribe the use of homeopathic medicines such as Rhus Toxicodendron or Bryonia, to treat the inflammation of the knee caused by arthritis or tendonitis;
- Acupuncture : this technique can help in the relief of pain in the knee related to arthritis, osteoarthrosis or trauma, for example;
- Compresses : place warm compresses with 3 drops of essential oil of sage or rosemary 2 times a day, from the 3rd day of the onset of symptoms;
- Keeping the knee at rest: consists of bandaging the knee, mainly when it is necessary to remain standing for a long time.
- Also, avoid running or walking whenever knee pain is present, do not carry heavy loads or sit in high chairs so as not to strain the knees when getting up.
Alternative treatment for knee pain should not replace the treatment prescribed by your doctor, as it could make the problem that caused the pain worse. See when to use a hot or cold compress .
When to see a doctor
It is important to consult the orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist when:
- Pain lasts more than 3 days , even after resting and applying cold compresses;
- The pain is very intense when doing daily activities such as ironing clothes standing up, carrying the child on the lap, walking or climbing stairs;
- The knee does not bend or make noise when moving;
- The knee is deformed ;
- Other symptoms such as fever or tingling occur ;
In these cases, the orthopedic surgeon will order imaging tests to diagnose the problem and be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment as the case may be.
6 ways to protect your knees
From limiting running to choosing the right shoes, there are things you can do to extend the life of this all-important joint.In addition to being the largest joint in the human body, "the knees are unique because the movement involved is so complex," says Dr. Sanjeev Bhatia, sports medicine orthopedic surgeon and co-director of the Northwestern Medicine Hip and Joint Preservation Center at Central DuPage. Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. "The knee has three compartments, any one of which can cause pain with wear and tear."
Over time, a certain amount of wear and tear on your joints is unavoidable. But it doesn't have to affect the way your knees work and move, or how they feel. If you experience a popping or cracking sensation in the joint when you walk, bend, or take a big step forward, but there's no pain or swelling, you don't need to worry about that, says Dennis Cardone, DO, associate professor of orthopedic surgery and medicine. Sports at NYU Langone Health. On the other hand, if you experience pain or swelling with that popping or cracking sound, it's best to schedule a visit to the doctor.
Otherwise, to minimize the risk of knee pain, stiffness, and swelling, take these steps to protect these essential joints:
1. Maintain a healthy weight
Carrying excess weight puts tremendous pressure on your knees. "For every pound of weight you gain, your knees will have four more pounds of force on them and even more of that when you go up or down stairs," says Dr. John-Paul Rue, orthopedic / sports medicine specialist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. The opposite is also true: For every pound of excess weight you lose, you will save your knees from having to carry four pounds of additional force.
2. Keep moving
The physical activity constant helps maintain joint function, including the strength and range of motion in the knee, which "means that less force is applied to the knee , " said Dr. Bhatia. While high-impact activities like running were believed to be bad for the knees, the most recent evidence shows that's not necessarily true. But there's a sweet spot for runners: A meta-analysis of 17 studies , published in The Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy,found that recreational runners had a much lower risk of developing knee osteoarthritis than competitive runners and sedentary people. “If you run, don't run on successive days; do it every other day because we don't recover as well as we get older, "says Dr. Cardone. It's also wise to combine your exercise routines so that if you run three times a week, you do something low-impact, like riding bike, Pilates, swim or use the elliptical machine on the days in between.
3. Strengthens the muscles that support the knees
Building strong muscles in the thigh, especially the quads, hamstrings, and abductors, improves range of motion, protects knee cartilage, and reduces the stress you put on the knee, says Richard Willy, assistant professor of physical therapy at the University. of Montana School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. Get in the habit of doing squats and lunges twice a week, making sure your knees stay above your feet and don't extend in front of your toes. After age 50, avoid squatting below a 90-degree angle (so your hips don't drop below your knees), because deep squats put pressure on your knees, Dr. Cardone cautions. If you prefer to use weight machines,
4. Perfect your posture
"People often hunch or lean more as they age," notes Dr. Cardone. This is problematic because poor posture shifts the body's center of gravity, putting additional pressure on the knees and hips. So be sure to stand tall, with your head in line with your shoulders, your shoulders directly over your hips, your hips in line with your knees, and your knees in line with your feet. Doing "Pilates, yoga , tai chi and core-strengthening exercises , such as sit-ups and back extensions, can help improve your posture, prevent irritation under and around the kneecaps and prevent you from falling," adds the Dr. Cardone.
5. Choose the right shoes
Wearing comfortable, supportive shoes helps promote proper joint alignment in the lower extremities when you move, says Dr. Barton Branam, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Cincinnati. For exercise, choose shoes that suit your activity, such as running shoes, and that are appropriate for your gait and foot (for example, whether you put your foot in or out when you walk), advises Dr. Branam. Believe it or not, the research suggests that postural abnormalities in the feet may contribute to osteoarthritis of the knee, so it is important to wear footwear that helps prevent the feet from turning in or out during movement. If you're looking for new exercise shoes, a professional evaluation and fit at a quality sports equipment or running supply store is advisable, suggests Dr. Branam. When you're not exercising, avoid high heels, which add to the load placed on your knees, Willy notes.
6. Listen to the pain in your knee
If you develop pain and swelling in your knee, take a break from running, walking, or whatever high-impact activity you're doing. Give your knee the following treatment: rest, ice, compression and elevation, and take an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen, advises Dr. Rue. "If it gets better on its own, you can go back to what you were doing," he says. If he doesn't respond in a week or two, have a doctor check you out. In the meantime, you can continue exercising with light activity like swimming, water aerobics, or biking, Willy says, so that you don't lose any of the fitness you've been developing.
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