**Knee and joint pain** is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, overuse, arthritis, or other medical conditions. Understanding the causes of knee and joint pain is crucial in order to find the appropriate treatment.
It is unclear whether rub-on anti-inflammatory painkillers work better than tablets. However, the amount of the medication that gets into your bloodstream is much less with rub-on painkillers, and there is less risk of side effects. You can also try the exercises we recommend for knee pain.
Common Causes of Knee and Joint Pain
- Injury: Sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations can all cause knee and joint pain.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other types of arthritis can lead to chronic knee and joint pain.
- Overuse: Repetitive movements or activities can put stress on the joints and lead to pain and inflammation.
Surgery or injections into the knee are not recommended as a treatment for most types of knee pain. This is because people often recover as well, or better, with non-invasive treatments. Knee pain can affect your mood, especially if it lasts a long time, and feeling low can make your pain worse.
Meanwhile, for others, the pain isn’t necessarily as bad, but it still prevents them from regular activities like cleaning, gardening and running after their kids. Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Some ligaments on the knee provide stability and protection of the joints, while other ligaments limit forward and backward movement of the tibia (shin bone). There are several possible causes of knee joint pain, which makes early identification important in ruling out any potentially serious underlying conditions.
Treatment Options for Knee and Joint Pain
- Rest: Giving your knees and joints time to rest and recover is important in managing pain.
- Physical Therapy: Working with a physical therapist can help strengthen the muscles around the joints and improve flexibility.
- Medication: Over-the-counter or prescription medications may be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
For knees – just getting to straight isn’t good enough. You need a certain amount of “more than straight” – otherwise known as hyperextension. I see this problem most in knees that have had surgery. And it won’t go away no matter how much you try and strengthen it. Moral of this story – make sure you have full knee extension – which includes a bit of hyperextension – and that it matches your other knee.
You may be unable to move the joint without assistance from a brace. Runner’s knee refers to knee pain that starts behind or around your kneecap. Be sure to talk with a doctor if your knee pain is accompanied by major swelling, significant pain, or fever.
For knee osteoarthritis, doctors often recommend special insoles that you put in your shoe. To find the appropriate insole, speak with your doctor or a physical therapist. Do use “RICE.” Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) is good for knee pain caused by a minor injury or an arthritis flare. Give your knee some rest, apply ice to reduce swelling, wear a compressive bandage, and keep your knee elevated. If the pain is a symptom of a more serious condition, such as advanced osteoarthritis or a ruptured tendon, a person may need stronger medications or even surgery. Rehabilitative therapy can also help alleviate knee pain.
It’s not unusual for either one of those ligaments to become torn, especially in athletes. Sometimes you can pinpoint the moment the tear happened to a tackle on the football field or an overextension playing tennis. More information about each issue (and their treatment options) follows the table. Genetic factors appear to play a role in whether you’re likely to develop reactive arthritis. Though you can’t change your genetic makeup, you can reduce your exposure to the bacteria that may lead to reactive arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Knee and Joint Pain
- Can knee and joint pain be prevented?
- When should I see a doctor for knee and joint pain?
Knee and joint pain can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and avoiding overuse injuries.
If knee and joint pain persists or worsens despite home remedies, it’s important to see a doctor for further evaluation and treatment.
