Knee pain

Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may result from an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage, and it could also be due to aging, repeated stress, and infection.

Common knee problems ;

Injuries

A knee injury can affect any of the ligaments, tendons, or fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that surround your knee joint as well as the bones and cartilage.

  • Ligaments/meniscus injury

A sprained or strained knee ligament or a torn ligament is usually caused by a blow to the knee or a sudden knee twist. Particularly common in people who play basketball, soccer, or other sports that require sudden changes in direction.

The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it.

  • Tendinitis

Inflammation of the tendons may result from overuse of a tendon during specific running, jumping, or cycling activities. Tendonitis of the patellar tendon is common and often occurs with sports, such as basketball, where the force of hitting the ground after a jump strains the tendon.

  • Bursitis

Some knee injuries cause inflammation in the bursae around the knee causing swelling and pain.

Arthritis

There are different types of arthritis. The common types include :

  • Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the knee. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process where the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away, and it is sometimes called degenerative arthritis.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects persons at an earlier age than osteoarthritis.

  • Gouty arthritis

Gouty arthritis happens when uric acid crystals build up in the joint. While gout most commonly affects the big toe, it can also occur in the knee.

  • Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis is when the knee joint can become infected, leading to swelling, pain, and redness. Septic arthritis can happen spontaneously without prior trauma or pain, especially in an immunocompromised individual. It is an emergency, and you should go to a doctor immediately.

Treatment

Several options of treatment are available for knee problems depending on the severity.

  • Medications
    • Your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce inflammation and pain. Your doctor may also recommend injections of numbing medicines or steroids to relieve pain.
  • Activities modification
    • These involve rest, altering your activities, avoiding overexertion, or overdoing activities
  • Physiotherapy/knee rehabilitation
    • Pain management with medical devices
    • Proper strengthening exercises
  • Surgery
    • Surgery may be required to resolve some knee problems.
    • Surgery can involve arthroscopy to remove scar tissue or repair torn tissues or traditional open procedures for more extensive reconstructions or knee replacement.
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