Knee pain can have various causes, from arthritis to injuries. Discover the common conditions, self-care tips, and when to seek medical attention for effective management of knee pain.

Understanding Knee Pain: Causes and Conditions

Knee pain is a prevalent symptom that can affect individuals of all ages. It can arise suddenly, often after an injury or exercise, or develop gradually as a mild discomfort that worsens over time. Several factors can contribute to knee pain, including:

Medical Conditions

• Arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, gout)
• Baker’s cyst (a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee)
• Cancers that spread to or originate in the bones
• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Infection in the bones or joints around the knee

Injuries and Overuse

• Bursitis (inflammation from repeated pressure on the knee)
• Tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon)
• Dislocation of the kneecap
• Fractures of the kneecap or other bones
• Iliotibial band syndrome (injury to the thick band from hip to knee)
• Patellofemoral syndrome (pain around the kneecap)
• Torn ligaments (e.g., anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament)
• Torn cartilage (meniscus tear)
• Strains or sprains (minor injuries to the ligaments)

Self-Care Strategies for Knee Pain Relief

For simple cases of knee pain, there are several self-care strategies that can help alleviate symptoms:

Rest and Avoid Activity

Resting the affected knee and avoiding activities that cause pain can help promote healing. It’s essential to avoid putting weight on the knee.

Ice Application

Applying ice to the knee can help reduce swelling and pain. Start with applying ice for up to 15 minutes every hour, and then continue with at least 4 applications per day.

Elevation and Compression

Keeping the knee elevated and using an elastic bandage or sleeve can help reduce swelling and provide support.

Pain Medication

Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), can help alleviate pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also be used for pain relief.

Stretching and Strengthening Exercises

Performing stretching and strengthening exercises for the quadriceps and hamstring muscles can help prevent and manage knee pain.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If the knee pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by certain symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention:

• You cannot bear weight on the knee.
• You have severe pain, even when not bearing weight.
• Your knee buckles, clicks, or locks.
• Your knee is deformed or misshapen.
• You cannot flex your knee or have trouble straightening it.
• You have a fever, redness, warmth, or significant swelling around the knee.
• You experience pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or discoloration in the calf below the sore knee.
• The pain persists after 3 days of home treatment.

Diagnostic Procedures and Treatment Options

Your healthcare provider may perform various tests to determine the underlying cause of your knee pain, including:

• X-ray of the knee
• MRI of the knee (if a ligament or meniscus tear is suspected)
• CT scan of the knee
• Joint fluid culture (to check for infection)

Depending on the findings, your provider may recommend treatments such as:

• Steroid injections into the knee to reduce pain and inflammation
• Physical therapy to learn stretching and strengthening exercises
• Referral to a podiatrist for custom orthotics (if flat feet are a contributing factor)
• Surgery in some cases (e.g., ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair)

Preventing Knee Pain

To help prevent and manage knee pain, consider the following tips:

• Warm up before and cool down after exercise
• Stretch the quadriceps and hamstring muscles regularly
• Avoid activities that put excessive stress on the knees, such as running downhill
• Choose low-impact exercises like cycling or swimming instead of high-impact activities
• Run on smooth, soft surfaces instead of cement or pavement
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce the pressure on your knees
• Use proper footwear with good cushioning and arch support

Conclusion

Knee pain can be a debilitating condition with various underlying causes, from medical conditions to injuries and overuse. By understanding the common causes, implementing self-care strategies, and seeking medical attention when necessary, individuals can effectively manage and prevent knee pain. Remember to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment options.

Knee pain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Knee pain is a common symptom in people of all ages. It may start suddenly, often after an injury or exercise. Knee pain also may begin as a mild discomfort, then slowly get worse.

Knee pain can have different causes. Being overweight puts you at greater risk for knee problems. Overusing your knee can trigger knee problems that cause pain. If you have a history of arthritis, it could also cause knee pain.

Here are some common causes of knee pain:

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

• Arthritis — Including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and gout
• Baker cyst — A fluid-filled swelling behind the knee that may occur with swelling (inflammation) from other causes, such as arthritis
• Cancers that either spread to your bones or begin in the bones
• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Infection in the bones around the knee
• Infection in the knee joint

INJURIES AND OVERUSE

• Bursitis — Inflammation from repeated pressure on the knee, such as kneeling for a long time, overuse, or injury
• Tendinitis — Inflammation of the tendon with change in activities, can be related to overuse or deconditioned tissue
• Dislocation of the kneecap
• Fracture of the kneecap or other bones
• Iliotibial band syndrome — Injury to the thick band that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee
• 
  Patellofemoral syndrome — Pain in the front of your knee around the kneecap
• Torn ligament. — An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury may cause bleeding into your knee, swelling, or an unstable knee
• Torn cartilage (a meniscus tear) — Pain felt on the inside or outside of the knee joint
• Strain or sprain — Minor injuries to the ligaments caused by sudden or unnatural twisting

Simple causes of knee pain often clear up on their own while you take steps to manage your symptoms. If knee pain is caused by an accident or injury, you should contact your health care provider.

If your knee pain has just started and is not severe, you can:

• Rest and avoid activities that cause pain. Avoid putting weight on your knee.
• Apply ice. First, apply it every hour for up to 15 minutes. After the first day, apply it at least 4 times per day. Cover your knee with a towel before applying ice. Do not fall asleep while using ice. You can leave it on too long and get frostbite.
• Keep your knee raised as much as possible to bring down any swelling.
• Wear an elastic bandage or elastic sleeve, which you can buy at most pharmacies. This may reduce swelling and provide support.
• Take ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) for pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help relieve pain, but not swelling. Talk to your provider before taking these medicines if you have medical problems, or if you have taken them for more than a day or two.
• Sleep with a pillow underneath or between your knees.

Follow these general tips to help relieve and prevent knee pain:

• Always warm up before exercising and cool down after exercising. Stretch the muscles in the front of your thigh (quadriceps) and in the back of your thigh (hamstrings).
• Avoid running down hills — walk down instead.
• Bicycle, or better yet, swim instead of run.
• Reduce the amount of exercise you do.
• Run on a smooth, soft surface, such as a track, instead of on cement or pavement.
• Lose weight if you are overweight. Every pound (0.5 kilogram) that you are overweight puts about 5 extra pounds (2.25 kilograms) of pressure on your kneecap when you go up and down stairs. The amount of extra pressure is even greater when you jump. Ask your provider for help losing weight.
• If you have flat feet, try special shoe inserts and arch supports (orthotics).
• Make sure your running shoes are well made, fit well, and have good cushioning.

Further steps for you to take may depend on the cause of your knee pain.

Contact your 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 cannot flex your knee or have trouble straightening it all the way out.
• You have a fever, redness or warmth around the knee, or a lot of 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. 

Your provider will perform a physical exam, to include your knees, hips, legs, and other joints.

Your provider may do the following tests:

• X-ray of the knee
• MRI of the knee if a ligament or meniscus tear could be the cause
• CT scan of the knee
• Joint fluid culture (fluid taken from the knee and examined under a microscope)

Your provider may inject a steroid into your knee to reduce pain and inflammation.

You may need to learn stretching and strengthening exercises. You also may need to see a podiatrist to be fitted for orthotics.

In some cases, you may need surgery.

Pain – knee

• ACL reconstruction – discharge
• Hip or knee replacement – after – what to ask your doctor
• Hip or knee replacement – before – what to ask your doctor
• Knee arthroscopy – discharge

• Leg pain (Osgood-Schlatter)
• Lower leg muscles
• Knee pain
• Baker cyst
• Tendinitis

Cheung EC, McAllister DR, Petrigliano FA. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 98.

Huddleston JI, Goodman S. Hip and knee pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O’Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 51.

McCarthy M, Mcarty EC, Frank RM. Patellofemoral pain. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 106.

Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Making Knees New Again | Johns Hopkins Medicine

How are your knees? If you’re like many people age 50 and older, they’ve been aching. If you’re 65 or older, you may have some degree of osteoarthritis, in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in the joints begins to degenerate or wear away.

Symptoms can range from stiffness to severe pain and limited mobility. So it’s probably not surprising that surgeons perform more than 700,000 knee-replacement surgeries in the United States each year.

Total knee replacement is very effective, but implants don’t last forever. Although they can last 20 years, one study found that about 14.9 percent of men and 17.4 percent of women who receive a total knee replacement will need another. The earlier you get your implant, the more likely you’ll be back in surgery at some point.

That’s why knee replacement should only be considered after you’ve tried everything else, says Harpal S. Khanuja, M.D., chief of hip and knee replacement surgery with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins. That includes following your doctor’s recommendations for losing weight, physical therapy, pain management, and modifying your activities.

“I tell people it’s time for a replacement when they can’t live the life they want to live; it is not a good solution for an occasional pain,” Khanuja says.

To keep knee replacement as a last resort, keep your knees healthy with these smart steps.

Hit a healthy weight.

Weight management is one of the top ways to fight osteoarthritis. Excess weight puts more pressure on your knees. This increases inflammation and likely contributes to disease progression. Every 10-pound loss relieves 30 pounds of force on your knee per step, says Khanuja.

One study found that overweight people who lost just 10 percent of their body weight experienced significantly less knee pain, could walk faster, and moved better. They also had lower levels of inflammation.

Get the right kind of exercise.

Moderate physical activity won’t increase your risk of osteoarthritis. In fact, by helping you maintain a healthy weight, it can actually reduce the risk. If your knees hurt, however, be smart. Don’t start training for a marathon or join a basketball team. Instead, says Khanuja, try lower-impact exercise such as swimming, walking, or using an elliptical machine.

Toss the high heels.

A study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism found that wearing flat, flexible shoes significantly reduced pressure on knees and helped people with osteoarthritis walk better.

Definitions

Cartilage (kahr-ti-lij): Tough, flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones, allowing our joints to move without pain or friction. It also is what gives shape to our noses, ears and windpipe. When cartilage becomes damaged or inflamed, movement can be painful or limited.

Inflammation (in-fluh-mey-shun): The redness and warmth around a cut or scrape is short-term inflammation, produced by the immune system to aid healing. But another type called chronic inflammation, triggered by compounds from abdominal fat, gum disease and other factors, lingers in the body. Research suggests this type increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes, dementia and some forms of cancer.

Knee pain: causes, treatment, which doctor to consult

According to statistics, about 80% of people have experienced knee pain. Moreover, a pronounced pain syndrome may be accompanied by other symptoms: a feeling of weakness (as if the legs give way), clicking when moving, stiffness, inability to straighten the leg.

What causes pain in or under the knee? Is there an effective treatment? Which doctor deals with this problem?

Causes of knee pain

The most common reason for knee pain is an injury:

• A fracture of the knee joint is accompanied by very strong, sharp pain. It becomes more intense if you press on the damaged area. With a fracture, the joint swells, so you won’t be able to bend your knee.

• A dislocation is a displacement of bones. Accompanied by swelling of the knee, severe pain syndrome. A dislocation is not as harmless as it might seem. With an injury of this type, the joint capsule is often torn, tendons, nerves, and ligaments are damaged. If you do not turn to an orthopedic traumatologist in time or completely ignore a visit to a specialist, a habitual dislocation may develop. In this case, the joints and bones can move even with a slight load.

• When ligaments and tendons are torn, a crunch is heard, clicks are clearly distinguished during movement. The joint becomes too mobile. The pain is sharp, as if “shooting”. Theoretically, a person can move around, but when walking, the pain in the knee will be more intense.

• A meniscus tear most often involves a strong blow, as a result of which the knee joint begins to hurt, lose mobility, and swell. A torn meniscus often does not act as an independent injury: it is diagnosed in 75% of cases of knee joint injuries. A torn meniscus often occurs in athletes, dancers, and ballet dancers. But such damage also occurs in everyday life – for example, with a sharp movement, heavy physical exertion or a fall.

By the way, about sports. Runners’ knees often hurt – there is even such a thing as runner’s knee syndrome. Runner’s knee syndrome is a common sports injury in which the cartilage tissue of the patella softens and deforms. The injury occurs as a result of high loads on the knees. By the way, it affects not only runners, but also cyclists, fans of hiking, football players.

Which doctor treats knee pain?

If you are worried about knee pain, the logical question is: which doctor to make an appointment with. In case of pain caused by an injury, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist as soon as possible.

The doctor will conduct a survey and examination of the patient, to clarify the diagnosis, he will send for examination. By the way, with knee injuries, only x-rays are not always prescribed. For example, when a meniscus is torn, it is not informative, so the patient is referred for an ultrasound of the joint or an MRI of the joints. An MRI will allow you to fully “see” the joint and assess its condition. In case of a fracture and dislocation of the knee, an x-ray is recommended (usually in several projections), in some cases an MRI is prescribed.

In addition, to clarify the diagnosis, the results of laboratory tests are required – most often this is a general and biochemical blood test.

Treatment of knee pain

To prescribe effective treatment, you must first identify the cause of the pain syndrome. For example, when a meniscus is torn, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, the knee is fixed with a bandage. Please note that in the treatment of any knee injury, it is important to ensure that the injured area has complete rest. Splints and splints, which are needed for immobilization, will help reduce the load on the joint. Taping is also actively used – the so-called fixation of the joint with adhesive tapes-teips.

Additionally, the patient is prescribed painkillers that stop the pain syndrome. It can be tablets, ointments or gels.

In some cases, surgery is required. So, with a complete rupture of the ligaments of the knee joint, a low-traumatic operation is performed – arthroscopy.

Massage, reflexology, therapeutic exercises also help to cope with pain, strengthen the knee joint, speed up recovery. These methods “work” due to the fact that they help improve muscle tone, activate blood circulation in the knee joint.

The complex of services in the field of traumatology and orthopedics is provided by experienced specialists of the Scandinavian Health Center. The doctors of our multidisciplinary medical center treat injuries and post-traumatic complications, arthrosis, dislocations, bursitis, etc. In our clinic, you can undergo the necessary examinations, visit a physiotherapist, masseur. We offer affordable prices for services, regularly hold profitable promotions.

To make an appointment with a traumatologist, fill out the online form or contact our representatives by phone +7 (495) 645-00-54. You can also use the feedback form.

Treatment of Knee Diseases – Orthopedics Ruslana Sergienko

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