Anybody can develop knee pain, whether you’re a seasoned athlete, or a senior citizen, knee pain or knee injury does not discriminate. Knee pain is one of the most commonly found issues among individuals of different age groups. In your day to day life, you will find many people going through this discomfort. At Granimals we have made it our mission to educate individuals and eradicate pain from this world. Let's look at the types of knee pain first and then let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your knees hurt.
Knee pain is a sensation of discomfort you may feel in or around your knees. Your knees are the biggest joints in your body. They take and support the most amount of force and weight you put on your body. And that is why, hurting your knee, or Injuring your knee can be very common.
In total, knee pain can be categorised in 4 categories- Medial knee pain, Lateral knee pain, Anterior knee pain, Posterior knee pain. Now, let’s take a look at the detailed overview about these types of knee pain-
When a person feels pain on the inside of the knee, typically caused by MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) injury, medial meniscus tear, or pes anserine bursitis; it is categorised as Medial Knee Pain.
When a person feels pain on the outside of their knees, typically caused by iliotibial band syndrome, baker’s cysts, or lateral meniscus tear; it is categorised as Lateral Knee Pain.
When a person experiences pain in the front of the knee, then this kind of pain is categorised as Anterior Knee Pain. The causes can range from overuse of the muscle, muscle imbalance, etc.
When someone experiences pain in the back of the knee then it is called Posterior Knee Pain. The cause of such pain can range from Hamstrings injuries, Baker’s cyst, etc.
Here are some of the common knee pain causes -
Knee pain, swelling and stiffness are some of the common symptoms of this condition. Different types of arthritis that can lead to severe knee pain include- osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or trauma- induced arthritis.
Excessive repetition of motions like sprinting, jumping, squatting, etc. can lead to knee pain as well. The pain is generally caused by overuse of these muscles.
Common injuries like sprain, strain, or several injuries like ligament tear, or tear on the tendon or cartilage can lead to knee pain.
A fluid-filled sac that cushions the knee is called a bursae. If inflammation occurs in this sac due to overuse or direct trauma, then it can lead to severe knee pain.
Due to an injury or overuse, if inflammation occurs in the tendons that connect the knee to the muscles, then it can also lead to an acute pain in the knees.
The symptoms of knee pain can vary from person to person and are dependent on many factors. Some of the most common symptoms that are observed are listed below
In order to diagnose what is causing the knee pain, you need to seek help from a healthcare provider. They may perform physical examinations or certain tests like CT Scans, an X-ray, or even an MRI. This will give them a clearer picture of what is going on inside your joint or if there’s any ligament tear or injury. These tests will also help you discover any underlying issue you may have.
The knee injury pain solution or knee pain treatment plan is dependent on the condition/ diagnoses of the cause. Here are some of the common treatment plans that are prevalent-
If you are suffering from knee pain because you somehow jumped or ran in the wrong way, then ‘rest and ice’ can provide a significant amount of relief. You can use a cloth to wrap the ice in it to avoid direct contact from the skin. If the pain persists, visit a doctor.
Contacting a physiotherapist when you suffer from knee pain or knee injury is a good idea. They may give you personalised solutions to your problems and needs.
Using a knee brace, or a walker, etc is a good idea. It will take off the pressure from your knees while you’re walking.
NSAIDs drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce the inflammation and provide substantial relief from the knee pain.
If you have a torn ligament or a torn tendon, you may require surgery to fix the broken. Although, it is important to ensure that you are engaging in physiotherapy after surgery.
Here are some of the way you can prevent knee pain or knee injury
We get it, not everyday you feel like working out. But what you can do about it is that you can include some kinds of low impact activities like swimming, walking, etc in your daily routine.
Obesity leads to many more health issues, not just knee pain. If you have knee pain and your weight is exceeding; it is probably the main reason why your knees are hurting. So, it is important to maintain a healthy weight.
If you engage in high impact activities like kickboxing, HIIT, etc and you’re experiencing knee pain, then this is your body telling you to pause for a moment and make some tweaks in your fitness routine.
Stretching and strengthening the muscles around the knee, majorly the hamstring or quadriceps, will add to your knee’s health and help prevent knee pain and injury.
It is important to recognise the symptoms of bad knee health. Listening to your body during your workout routine. If you are experiencing pain after doing any physical activity; pause and rest for sometime. It will help you. If you are someone who is suffering the symptoms of bad knee health then instead of googling ‘best physiotherapist near me’ why not join a Granimals’ program from the comfort of your home. Book your first consultation call with us today!
Q1- How to get instant relief from knee pain?
Answer- Over the counter medicines or numbing cream can provide you with instant relief from knee pain. However, if the pain persists, it is important to get a proper diagnosis done.
Q2- Can walking prevent knee pain?
Answer- It has been observed that walking can prevent the onset of conditions like osteoarthritis. So it is good for your knees to take a walk every now and then.
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