More than just “wear and tear” on your joints, osteoarthritis is a joint disease. Chronic knee pain is long-term pain, swelling, or sensitivity in one or both knees. The cause of your knee pain can determine the symptoms you experience.
Understanding the Impact of Worsening Knee Pain
People with knee osteoarthritis often know that healthy lifestyle habits like exercise and weight control are recommended, but they aren’t doing them, Dr. Garver says. His research team found that meeting with others who have osteoarthritis and sharing similar challenges can help motivate people to change their habits and add an exercise routine into their life. An important part of managing osteoarthritis knee pain is working with your doctor. Although there are medications and surgery available for osteoarthritis, the best treatment for you may be different than that of someone else with the condition. Even simple, everyday habits can increase the pain from knee osteoarthritis.
Worsening knee pain can significantly affect one’s quality of life, making simple tasks like walking or climbing stairs difficult. This type of pain can be debilitating and may require prompt attention to prevent further complications.
Common Causes of Worsening Knee Pain
It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it. To diagnose your knee pain, a medical professional will perform a physical exam and order imaging tests, for example, X-rays or an MRI scan. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the center of the knee prevents it from sliding forward. The MCL on the inside of the knee keeps it from bending too far in. “An ACL or MCL injury will give you more instability than pain in the long run,” says Dr. Tjong.
Full recovery from arthritis of the knee is not possible. However, it is possible to feel less pain, swelling and stiffness because of medications, physical therapy and other treatments. Pain and swelling are the most common symptoms of arthritis of the knee. Some treatments might reduce the severity of your symptoms or even stall the progression. See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of knee arthritis.
Hence, pain management remains a major goal of OA treatment. Because the prevalence of widespread pain and poor sleep are high in persons with knee OA (4–6), understanding these relationships altogether may provide new insights of pain management through sleep. Our findings also may suggest sex-specific differences in risk factors for knee pain.
Treatments will vary, depending upon what exactly is causing your knee pain. Along with a rapid onset of pain and swelling, you might also experience fever and chills. Knee pain can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis and other problems. Conversely, though, studies have shown that every pound lost can result in up to a 4-fold reduction of stress on each knee with each impact. In other words, if you lose 10 pounds, that equals 40 pounds less in load through your knee. Dr. McLaughlin also suggests considering an alternate mode of exercise — like an elliptical machine or swimming — to ease the wear and tear on your knees.
There are several factors that can contribute to worsening knee pain, including:
- Arthritis
- Injuries such as torn ligaments or meniscus
- Overuse or repetitive strain
- Obesity
Treatment Options for Worsening Knee Pain
When it comes to managing worsening knee pain, there are various treatment options available:
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee
- Medications for pain relief and inflammation reduction
- Injections such as cortisone to alleviate pain and swelling
- Surgery in cases of severe damage or chronic conditions
- Q: How do I know when it’s time to see a doctor about my worsening knee pain?
- A: If the pain persists despite rest and home remedies, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.
- Q: Can exercise help alleviate worsening knee pain?
- A: Yes, low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling can help strengthen the knee without causing further damage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Worsening Knee Pain
Here are some common questions people have about worsening knee pain:
