Knee pain can be annoying, restricting your daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or sitting for an extended period. You might be a sports enthusiast, a geriatric patient, or someone who's just had an injury; knee pain does not select anyone. Knowing the potential reasons and when to visit a doctor can actually change how you manage it.
The most frequent cause of knee pain is direct trauma. It may occur as a result of a fall, twisting, or sports injury. You may experience sharp pain, swelling, or difficulty placing weight on the leg.
Even a minor sprain can cause inflammation and pain. Resting the knee, icing it, and lifting the leg usually works in most instances. However, if swelling does not decrease or there's increasing pain, it may be something more severe such as a torn cartilage or ligament.
Knee arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, is one of the most common causes of knee pain in older people. It occurs due to the wearing away of the cartilage that protects your knee joint over time. When the bones begin to rub against one another, pain, stiffness, and swelling ensue.
You may feel the pain more in the morning or after prolonged sitting. It typically worsens with use and eases with rest. Arthritis sets in gradually and can involve one or both knees. Long-term management aims to minimize inflammation, relieve pain, and enhance joint function.
Even if you're not a runner, you can still develop what's popularly known as runner's knee. It's an overuse or misalignment condition where pain is felt around or behind the kneecap.
Running, jumping, or going up stairs can exacerbate it. You may detect grinding or clicking in the knee when bending it. Rest, strengthening the muscles in your leg, and adjusting your posture may alleviate symptoms.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is sometimes mistaken for runner's knee because the symptoms are similar. But it is more specifically a pain originating from the space between the kneecap (patella) and the thigh bone (femur).
It's frequent in teenagers, athletes, and those who have a bad foot alignment. The pain typically worsens with walking downhill, squatting, or prolonged sitting. Proper shoes, physical therapy, and stabilization exercises in the knee are usually helpful.
Swelling is the natural reaction of the body to injury or inflammation. At times, you might feel the knee swollen, warm, or stiff. It could be caused by trauma, arthritis, or infections.
In some cases, fluid builds up inside the knee joint, a condition called knee effusion or "water on the knee." Mild swelling often improves with rest, ice, and elevation. However, if the swelling appears suddenly or is accompanied by fever or redness, you should see a doctor immediately.
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that pads your knee joint. Sudden twisting or awkward movement, particularly during sports, can cause this cartilage to tear. You may hear a pop as it occurs, and then the knee becomes stiff and sore when twisting or rotating the knee.
Most individuals are able to still walk with a meniscus tear, but the knee will feel unstable or "catch" when it locks. Small tears may respond to rest and physical therapy, but large ones may need surgical repair.
There are four key ligaments holding the knee in place. Sudden movement, falling, or athletic injury can pull or tear them—most often the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).
When it occurs, you might feel the knee collapse, hear a popping sound, or develop sudden swelling. ACL injuries usually require medical care and, in serious cases, surgery and rehabilitation. MCL or LCL sprains with similar symptoms may also result from other ligament injuries.
Bursitis occurs when the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) surrounding your knee are inflamed. It can result from repeated kneeling, trauma, or infection. You may feel heat, tenderness, or swelling on the top of the kneecap.
This usually happens to individuals who get down on their knees frequently for work, such as plumbers or gardeners. Rest, staying off the knee, and taking anti-inflammatory medication can relieve it. In severe cases, a physician might have to drain the fluid or put a patient on antibiotics.
Tendons attach your muscles to bones. When they get irritated or inflamed—usually from too much use—it causes tendonitis. In the knee, this tends to be the patellar tendon, also referred to as "jumper's knee."
The pain usually is below the kneecap and gets worse with jumping, running, or climbing uphill. Over-the-counter pain medication, rest, and stretching can alleviate symptoms. Disregarding the pain will cause chronic problems, so early treatment is important.
Gout is a form of arthritis triggered by excess uric acid crystals in your joints. Although it usually hits the big toe, it can also hit the knee. Gout pain tends to be sharp, intense, and red and swollen.
The attack may occur suddenly, even at night. Gout must be treated to reduce uric acid levels, decrease inflammation, and ward off future attacks. If your knee pain is severe and occurs in spurts, talk with your doctor about gout.
Occasionally, pain in the knee isn't really originating in the knee. Disorders such as hip arthritis or sciatica can refer pain down to the knee. Here, the knee will be tender but no direct problem in the knee can be found.
This type of pain often accompanies hip, thigh, or lower back discomfort too. Proper diagnosis is essential in order to identify the actual cause and prevent misafference of the wrong area.
Knee pain is not always the result of disease or injury—it can be caused by the way you move. Bad exercise technique, not warming up, or an abrupt change in workout intensity can put stress on your knees.
If you find yourself hurting after exercising, you need to review your routine. Performing squats, lunges, or leg presses with incorrect technique can actually cause more harm than good. Building up the muscles that stabilize the knee—particularly the quadriceps and hamstrings—can stabilize the knee and take away the pain over time.
Though some knee pain resolves with rest and minor home treatments, there are some symptoms that mean you need to visit a doctor:
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Treatment depends on the cause but may include:
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Some exercises can help make your knee muscles stronger and reduce pain. They include:
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Knees carry a heavy load—literally. Whether your pain is due to an injury, arthritis, or overuse, early recognition and the right approach can prevent complications. Try to listen to your body. Pain is a signal that something needs attention.
If you find yourself wondering, "Why does my knee hurt?"—now you have 12 potential answers. Don't dismiss ongoing discomfort. Seek a healthcare professional to receive a definitive diagnosis and optimal treatment plan designed specifically for you.
If you are looking for "knee pain treatment near me", visit Dr. Ishwar for a proper assessment. Early intervention can prevent surgery and regain mobility faster.
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