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It's no secret that knee pain is the most common reason why Americans complain of joint pain. If you're experiencing knee pain, you're not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), knee pain is a common complaint among adults of all ages. It can affect your daily routine, making it difficult to perform even the simplest tasks.
But, All of Pain Manhattan pain management center can help with the diagnosis and treatment of knee pain. Read on for more information about causes, symptoms, and treatment options for knee pain.
Causes of Knee Pain
While a number of things can cause knee pain, one of the notable factors that can cause knee pain is inflammation of both the bone and cartilage. It is most often the result of osteoarthritis (OA), sports injuries, or impact from falls.
Knee pain is also more common in older patients as the joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments tend to weaken with age. In addition, knee pain can lead to a number of other problems. That's why finding out what's causing your knee pain is critical for developing a proper treatment plan.
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, arthritis, and overuse. Here are some common causes of knee pain:
Injury. A sudden injury to your knee, such as an awkward twist or fall, can cause inflammation, swelling and pain in the joint. The symptoms of an injury-related strain or sprain usually go away within a few weeks but may take longer for more severe injuries.
Sports injuries are the most common cause of knee pain. Athletes who participate in contact sports such as football, hockey, soccer, and basketball are more likely to suffer from sports injuries than people who don't participate in sports at all.
Overuse. This type of overuse injury is commonly seen in athletes who play sports that require repetitive motion at the knee joint, such as tennis players who serve over and over again during their matches.
Running also puts stress on your knees because it requires significant flexion and extension at the joint with every stride you take. In addition, running can cause inflammation in your joints if you're not properly conditioned for it or if you run on surfaces that aren't level or soft enough.
Arthritis. Arthritis is a condition in which the cartilage that cushions your joints wears down over time. The resulting friction and damage can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain. The most common forms of arthritis that affect the knees include osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gouty arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Inflammation. Inflammation is an immune response to infection or irritation in a part of your body — for example, swelling around an infected cut on your hand or foot. Inflammation can also occur in response to injuries, such as when you twist your ankle playing sports or fall down on an outstretched hand with your knee bent back too far (sprained ankle).
Symptoms of Knee Pain
The symptoms of knee pain can vary depending on the cause. Knee pain may be felt in many different areas and at different intensities. Some people have just mild discomfort after walking or running, while others experience severe pain with even the slightest movement.
The following are some of the most common symptoms of knee pain:
Pain: Knee pain can range from mild to severe.
Swelling: Swelling around the knee joint is common with knee pain.
Stiffness: Knee pain can make it difficult to move your knee joint.
Limited Range of Motion: Knee pain can limit your ability to bend or straighten your knee.
Clicking or Popping Sounds: Some people with knee pain may hear clicking or popping sounds when they move their knee joint.
Treatment Options for Knee Pain
If you're suffering from knee pain, the first thing to do is consult with a pain specialist to rule out any serious conditions. However, if you have a minor injury that may require various treatment options, that can help ease the pain and allow you to get back on your feet. It's important to see a specialist if your knee pain is severe or long-lasting because some types of knee pain can be signs of more serious medical conditions.
There are several treatment options for knee pain. The best treatment option for you will depend on the cause and severity of your knee pain. Your treatment plan may include the following:
1.Rest: This is important because resting your knee can help relieve pain and swelling. Rest means avoiding activities that cause pain or worsen your symptoms. Resting also helps prevent further damage to your knee joint.
2. Ice and heat: Applying heat or cold compresses can help reduce swelling and ease stiffness in your knee joint. Heat also helps relax muscles when they're tight from injury or overuse.
3. Compression: Wearing a compression bandage or sleeve can help reduce swelling and provide support.
4. Physical Therapy: The exercises and techniques used in physical therapy can help to improve your knee function, reduce pain and stiffness, and increase your range of motion.
5. Injections: Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation and pain in the knee joint.
Conclusion
Knee pain can be a debilitating condition that affects your daily life. If you often find yourself suffering from knee pain, you're definitely not alone. Millions of people deal with this frustrating condition every day.
Unfortunately, treating knee pain can sometimes be a tricky process, as there are many different factors that contribute to the pain. The good news is that there are many ways to treat your knee pain.
We hope this article has helped you identify your knee pain and given you some information about your treatment options. If your knee pain is severe enough to impact your activity levels or quality of life, don't wait to take action. Instead, contact our Manhattan pain management center for a diagnosis and treatment options.