Knee pain is one of the most common problems faced by several people across the world. The knee is the largest joint in the body. Your knee consists of bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments that work together to make it function optimally.
Due to the sensitive nature of the joint, your knee is the most commonly injured joint. Knee pain can occur due to several reasons, ranging from muscle strains, to tendinitis, to serious injuries. The severity of the knee pain depends on factors like age and the injury. If this injury isn’t treated properly, it can lead to a much more serious problem, such as arthritis, which is particularly problematic because it can severely limit your range of motion and your ability to function properly.
In the majority of cases, the injury to your ligaments isn’t serious enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. However, a small amount of swelling is generally seen, and when this occurs, it’s important to seek medical attention straight away.
This article discusses some of the most common knee problems that occur in life. Read to find out more!
- Knee Ligament Injury
Knee ligament injury is a common sports injury. It may also occur due to accidents, like a car crash. The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament is the main ligament that runs between the thigh bone and shinbone. ACL ruptures are common among athletes.
Knee ligament tears can be difficult to diagnose. If you experience painful symptoms with a sudden onset, you might be suffering from a torn knee ligament. Some early symptoms of a torn knee ligament are sudden knee pain or swelling, pain while walking, and swelling within a few hours of the initial injury.
You might not feel pain at the time the injury occurs, however, the pain and swelling might take place within a few hours. A minor to moderate injury will often heal without treatment. But if the injury is severe, you may need to contact a reputable ACL knee surgeon that could prescribe medications and/or other forms of treatment.
- Meniscus Tears
Meniscus tears occur due to twisting and turning, especially during sports like volleyball and soccer. Meniscus tears take place in the cartilage of the knee. The cartilage is a tissue that covers the end of the bones.
A meniscus tear occurs when the meniscus ligament on one or both sides of the knee becomes inflamed and torn. The meniscus acts as an extremely strong shock absorber at the top of the knee, which absorbs sudden impacts to the knee joint. There are actually two menisci on each side of the knee. Each knee contains two small sagging menisci that support the cartilage between the bones. Meniscal tears are quite a common knee injury that occurs primarily because of a sudden twist of the knee. In most cases, a meniscus tear requires surgery.
- Arthritis
This is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the knees. Arthritis is a chronic condition that often worsens with age and eventually requires surgery. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a condition wherein the natural cushioning between the bones—cartilage—wears away over time. When this happens, cartilage won’t be able to provide the same shock-absorbing properties to the bones and joints. This condition is most common in the knees and elbows, but can also affect the spine, shoulders, and hips.
Osteoarthritis causes many different symptoms that mimic those of arthritis, and these are joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Joint pain can be either acute or chronic, and acute conditions need to be treated immediately because they’re much more difficult to cure.
Standing in front of a mirror and trying to straighten your back while maintaining your posture can help alleviate arthritis pain. This is an excellent way to prevent joint stiffness from occurring in the future, and it’s especially helpful for people who have arthritis in their knees.
Conclusion
Knee pain can occur due to various reasons, ranging from sports injuries to medical conditions, like arthritis. While knee pain is one of the most common injuries, the severity of the problem may depend on factors like age and the cause of the injury. Based on the severity of the problem, you may have to consider treatment.
If your knee pain is minimal, you can treat it at home through rest, compression, and elevation. However, if the problem persists and you experience severe pain, swelling, and mobility problems, it’s important to visit a doctor who can recommend the right treatment for your knee problem.
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