The knee joint is vulnerable as it absorbs stress from everyday activities like walking, lifting, and running. You are more susceptible to knee problems if you make many repetitive motions or engage in high-impact activities like aerobics. Many knee issues also arise from the aging process and gradual degeneration from medical conditions like arthritis. Explore some common knee problems below.
Knee Sprains and Strains
The knee joint has multiple ligaments that provide stability and alignment. Sudden movements and direct blows to the knee can stretch and tear these ligaments and cause pain and swelling. Similarly, knee strains occur when injuries stretch the muscles and tendons surrounding the knee. Strained muscles can cause difficulty in walking, stiffness, and bruising.
Torn Cartilage
Cartilage tears are common among athletes who perform sudden knee twists. The knee joint has two C-shaped shock absorbers on either side called menisci. Meniscus tears manifest as pain or tenderness, crunching noises when walking, locking of the joint, inability to strengthen the knee, and tightness of the knee joint. You can experience these symptoms after the injury, or the cartilage damage can happen over time. Small cartilage tears resolve on their own, while others respond to home remedies and medication. However, you may need arthroscopic knee surgery for severe meniscus tears.
Arthritis of the Knee
Different kinds of arthritis can affect the knee joint and cause pain. The most common types of knee arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis wears out the joint cartilage, exposes the bone, and causes swelling. Then, everyday activities become painful due to the knee joints rubbing together.
Rheumatoid arthritis triggers inflammation in the joint and leaves the knee feeling stiff, warm, and swollen. Gout, psoriatic arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis also cause knee pain and reduced mobility.
Patellar Tendonitis
Patellar tendonitis results from the inflammation of the tendon patella, which links the kneecap to the shinbone. It is also called jumper’s knee and is common among athletes whose activities include a lot of jumping. However, any repetitive motions can stress and tear the tendon patella and cause pain, swelling, and tenderness.
Treatment Options for Knee Issues
Your treatment options depend on the injury’s specifics and the medical conditions causing the knee problems. For example, elevation, ice packs, and rest can facilitate the healing of simple strains. If you have knee arthritis, your physician may recommend medication to manage the inflammation and pain. Other interventions include prolotherapy, cortisone injections and physical therapy.
If your knee pain results from worn-out cartilage, you will benefit from prolotherapy. The treatment involves injecting an irritant to the knee joint to boost blood flow and encourage healing in the damaged tissues. Contact Boston Prolotherapy & Orthopedics today for natural relief from knee pain without surgery.