Articles

Knee Pain: Causes And Simple Treatment

by Douglas Roberts Rheumatologist and founder of PainSpot.com
There are a number of reasons that can cause knee pain. The knee is a complex joint, and pain in the knee can hinder day-to-day activities depending upon the cause and intensity of the pain. In this article we will talk about the different cause of knee pain. Although osteoarthritis (‘wear-and-tear arthritis’) may cause ongoing knee pain and stiffness, this generally is present in older individuals, and will not be discussed in this article. There may be simple methods that can be utilized to prevent and treat the common causes of knee pain with simple self-diagnosis and treatment.

Most of us have dealt with knee pain at some point in our lives. The intensity and duration of the pain might be different for each one but the feeling is familiar. For athletes, knee pain may affect their performance and even threaten their livelihoods. Even for less active individuals, it makes sense to do some research and maybe even go through a knee pain diagnosis quiz at PainSpot.com to try and understand what might be going on. Here is some basic information that might be helpful:

Causes:

  • Damage such as a torn cartilage cushion (meniscus) or ligaments such as a torn ACL in the knee can cause instability, swelling and pain in the knee. The knee may click, lock up or give way.

  • Another issue may be a condition called Bursitis, where irritation of the bursa, the sac of fluid that protects and cushions the joints has occurred. This could be due to injury, excessive bending or even inflammation due to arthritis.

  • The Iliotibial Band Syndrome where the iliotibial band on the outside of the thigh is irritated and swollen because of overuse can be another reason for knee pain. This band is a tough tissue and runs from the hip down to the side of the knee. Sometimes it causes a painful snapping sensation. The ITB syndrome more commonly known as runner’s knee is very commonly due to sports. There are a number of ways to check for an ITB diagnosis.

  • Plica, which is a fold of tissue in the knee joint, sometimes becomes irritated from overuse and the swelling can lead to Medial Plica Syndrome, another kind of knee pain.

In most cases knee pain is caused by overuse or irritation of the muscles or the tendons and if not treated properly can become a constant problem. The treatment for knee pain really depends upon the extent of the issue. If one has taken a knee pain diagnosis quiz and the result is moderate to mild pain, some of these simple methods might help:

Treatment:

  • If the problem is overuse, giving the knee some rest works and it’s better to avoid intense activity.

  • Over the counter medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Naproxen (Aleve), or Ibuprofen (Motrin) may reduce pain.

  • Icing the knee with cool compresses can help reduce the pain.

  • Compressing the knee with the help of an elastic sleeve or lightweight Velcro brace might be helpful too.

  • Light stretching under supervision can help keep the knee active and avoid stiffness.

  • If the knee is very warm, red or swollen seek medical attention.

In the end, if the pain is chronic, it is advisable to visit a specialist for proper treatment.

About Author:
Douglas Roberts MD is the rheumatologist and founder of PainSpot.com. PainSpot is dedicated to providing you with information about your pain and help you with an easy-to-use website to find relief from your pain.


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About Douglas Roberts Junior   Rheumatologist and founder of PainSpot.com

2 connections, 0 recommendations, 11 honor points.
Joined APSense since, June 23rd, 2014, From Sacramento, United States.

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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