Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints. Almost everyone has experienced this unpleasant feeling at least once in their life and knows the painful discomfort they create.
The knee joint is one of the largest and most complex ones in the human body. It is prone to injuries that can lead to unpleasant pain when moving. Most often this condition occurs as a result of heavy physical exertion or due to advancing age.
In this article, we will look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment of knee pain in cases where it is not related to a serious health problem. If these pains are well known to you and happen to you often, stay with us until the end to find out how to prevent them.
What are the causes of knee pain?
The most common causes of knee pain are physical exertion or trauma. Excessive activity without proper warming up can cause sprains or even torn ligaments. But advancing age is also one of the most common causes of knee pain and wear and tear on cartilage and joints.
Sports injuries
Knee injuries are common in athletes as well as in people who are active in sports. Excessive physical exertion can lead to rupture of knee ligaments, causing sudden and sharp pain.
If you often experience knee pain that is exacerbated by running, walking, or sitting for a long time, you are probably suffering from a common syndrome called “runner’s knee”.
[Read: Joint Pain – What You Need to Know]
This is a patellofemoral syndrome, which is the presence of pain in the area of the knee cap (patella). It is one of the most common syndromes associated with knee cap pain in athletes and people leading an active lifestyle.
This trauma occurs due to the large number and repetitive uniform movements in the knees, which cause tension in the joints. Other factors that can cause pain in the cap are a sudden change in the duration and intensity of training or wearing uncomfortable shoes.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. The disease appears with age, as the cartilage of the knee wears out over the years and the synthesis of collagen gradually decreases.
Some people experience mild symptoms such as pain and stiffness, while others may experience more serious problems with osteoarthritis. The most commonly affected joints are those of the knees and fingers.
In addition to the elderly, overweight people are also highly prone to osteoarthritis. The weight adds extra strain to the joints and this can lead to faster cartilage wear. For this reason, overweight people are several times more likely to have osteoarthritis than those who are optimally overweight.
Osteoarthrosis
An osteoarthrosis is a chronic form of osteoarthritis characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage. It mainly covers the large supporting joints in the body (hips, knees, and joints). The reasons for its development can be infections, injuries, and joint diseases.
Osteoarthrosis is associated with loss of elasticity and function of articular cartilage, which causes friction and damage to the bone end. This affects the overall function of the joints, tendons, and muscles. One of the main symptoms is joint pain, which intensifies during exercise or movement.
What are the symptoms of a knee problem?
The symptoms of a knee problem vary depending on the cause of it and how serious it is. Here are the most common symptoms that suggest you should pay attention to your knees:
- Sudden pain after overload;
- Instability and feeling of weakness in the knee;
- Stiffness and difficulty in unfolding and contracting the legs;
- Swelling of the knee;
- Pain when moving;
- Pain when sitting with folded knees;
- Chronic pain.
Knee pain is common and in most cases not a cause for concern. However, when it lasts longer or is sharp and does not allow you to move, you should not ignore it, because it can lead to a more serious problem.
How to treat knee pain
Depending on the cause of the knee pain, there are different treatments. If the pain is due to physical trauma, it is recommended to reduce the load on the knee joint, take frequent rests, and if necessary, use aids when walking.
Depending on the cause of the knee pain, there are different treatments. If the pain is due to physical trauma, it is recommended to reduce the load on the knee joint, more frequent rest, and if necessary, the use of aids when walking.
An effective tool in the treatment of knee pain at home is the so-called “PRICE therapy”. It consists of protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the knee. This method will significantly help you reduce and alleviate the discomfort that occurs after prolonged exercise.
However, if the pain is sudden and sharp, then take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve it.
If you suffer from chronic knee pain due to advancing age, it is extremely important to maintain optimal levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the body. Collagen builds connective tissue, which is responsible for the elasticity and mobility of joints.
Taking it in the form of nutritional supplements will help your musculoskeletal system to be in good condition. Hyaluronic acid is actively involved in lubricating the surface of the joints. Prolonged use helps reduce knee pain in conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Joint vitamins will give your body the substances it needs to strengthen the cartilage in your knees and prevent them from wearing out.
In case of prolonged and severe knee pain, we recommend visiting a doctor. He will perform an examination and check the mobility of the joint, after which he will determine the cause of the painful condition. If necessary, the doctor will order a diagnostic test such as an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound.
Knee pain is a common complaint that is certainly well known to most of you. These are often caused by physical trauma or overload. A sedentary lifestyle and obesity can also lead to knee pain due to the heavy load.
With age, the complaints become chronic due to wear and tear of the joints and insufficient supply of articular cartilage with valuable substances such as collagen and hyaluronic acid.
In case of knee pain, it is important to limit physical activity and allow your knees to rest. Taking cartilage and joint health supplements will help give your knees the substances they need to function smoothly.
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