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Knee Joint Pain: Causes, Treatment, Why Knees Hurt, What To Do About It, How To Treat

The knee joint is one of the largest and most complex. Every day it is subjected to a huge load, so it is not surprising that it periodically stops working normally. If your knees hurt, their swelling is noticeable, and the pain is almost constant, then you should definitely see a doctor. Such a pathological condition may be a signal of the development of one of the diseases that deforms the joint. Naturally, it is necessary to learn to distinguish situations in which a visit to the doctor is very necessary. But the lack of treatment or self-treatment can lead to complications.

The structure of the knee joint.

To better understand why your knees hurt, you need to understand their anatomy. So, the joint consists of the femur, tibia and patella. The two largest bones each have two bumps: the inner and outer condyles.

All surfaces that come into contact with each other are covered with hyaline cartilage. Thanks to him, the mobility of the knee joint, its depreciation properties are guaranteed. Around this connection of bones there is a kind of capsule, lined from the inside with a synovial layer. It is filled with synovial fluid, thanks to which the joint is nourished and its mobility is ensured.

The knee joint is made up of more than just bones. All its elements are united by cruciate and collateral ligaments, femoral muscles, tendons. The patella is attached to other elements through its own ligament. For the knee to move, 6 synovial bursa are needed. The nutrition and innervation of the presented joint is carried out through nerves and blood vessels, which are located in the soft tissues surrounding the joint.

Pain in the knee joint: causes.

If the knee begins to hurt, swelling appears, mobility is limited, and the discomfort is severe enough, you should immediately see a doctor. If the destructive process has already begun, it will be impossible to completely heal the knee. However, it will be possible to stop or slow down its progression.

So, we can distinguish such causes of pain in the knee joint:

  • gonarthrosis.It occurs in almost 50% of all cases of joint damage. Pathology develops for a long time. Among the symptoms of this disease, the following can be distinguished: the knee does not hurt at rest, however, a person finds it difficult to climb stairs, walk for a long time, squat and rise from a squat. During the movement, the patient hears a crunch in the knee, its mobility decreases. Over time, due to cartilage wear, the distance between the bony surfaces decreases. In this case, osteophytes appear, nerves and blood vessels are compressed, and the knee itself is deformed;
    • Gonarthrosis of the knee on x-ray
  • meniscopathy, as well as the formation of meniscal cysts. Most of the time only one knee hurts. The cause of the pathology can be a single injury or periodic damage to the joint. During an exacerbation, the pain is sharp, throbbing, sharp, intense. With this disease, the deformation of the joint does not threaten, but the inflammation can affect the synovial bags;
  • circulatory problems (necrosis).This interrupts the nutrition of the knee. Most often, this condition occurs in adolescents. It is they who have too rapid bone growth, in which their nutrition is somewhat difficult. If at first the pain in the knee joint is strong enough, then after a while its intensity decreases. The pain is usually localized to one point and does not spread to the entire knee. Discomfort may be aggravated by hypothermia;
  • arthritis.This is an inflammatory pathology of the knee, which can be diagnosed in young people, especially women. At the same time, the knee hurts a lot, the affected area is characterized by swelling, the skin turns red. The pain at night becomes more pronounced. The knee hurts even at rest, when the weather changes. The reason for the development of pathology is excessive body weight, old age, weak immune system;
  • bursitis.This is an inflammatory lesion of the synovial bags of the knee. Characteristic symptoms of the pathology are redness of the skin in the affected area, swelling and decreased range of motion. The cavities of the synovial bags are filled with exudate, which contains harmful microorganisms. The cause of the development of pathology is trauma, excessive physical activity. The knee not only hurts a lot, a person develops weakness and general malaise;
  • synovitisHere the inflammation affects the synovial membrane of the knee joint. At the same time, swelling and burning pain appear in the joint area;
  • periarthritisThis disease is most often diagnosed in women who have a large body weight and who are already 40 years old. At the same time, discomfort is felt when climbing stairs, straightening the leg. The pathological process affects the tendons, ligaments and muscles, the joint capsule. The pain hurts, swelling appears on the limb;
  • chondromatosis.This disease is characterized by the formation of small cartilage nodules, which are located in the shell of the joint bag. At the same time, dehydration of the joint is manifested, its mobility is limited, a crunch is heard when moving. Since the soft tissues are pinched, the patient feels severe pain;
  • chondromalacia patella.Here the cartilage undergoes degenerative changes: it simply dies. The reasons for this pathological condition are banal - knee injury, characteristic of some professions. At the same time, the knee hurts a lot, the discomfort becomes more pronounced with any movement. On the left or right knee, a crunch, crunch is heard very well. A person can practically not stand on the affected limb;
  • bone tumorKnee pain appears due to the growth of a neoplasm that compresses the soft tissues with nerves and blood vessels;
  • Baker's cyst.This is a small hernia that can occur in young people and children from 3 to 7 years old. It is so small that it cannot always be diagnosed on examination. It does not pose a threat to human health and does not present discomfort. However, if it grows, the joint can hurt, especially when bending and straightening the leg. If the hernia is large, an operation is performed to remove it;
  • knee tendinitisIt is an inflammation of the tendons in the knee area, which cannot perform their functions normally. Almost everyone is affected by the disease. The pain is usually aching, and the affected area reacts to changes in the weather;
    • Tendinitis - inflammation of the tendons in the knee joint
  • knee osteochondritis.This is where the cartilage detaches from the joint surface. At first, the knee does not hurt much, but over time, its intensity increases, and inflammation joins the pathological process;
  • Koenig's disease.Here, some of the cartilage can separate from the bone and move within the joint. At the same time, the movement becomes difficult, there is a slight pain. With progression, swelling of the knee joint is also observed. Treatment of pathology in adults is more difficult than in children;
  • Osgood-Schlatter pathology.Prevents the formation of bumps in the knee area. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in children, as well as in people who play sports. The pain is sharp, aggravated by bending and straightening the leg.

These reasons are the main ones, but not the only ones. Therefore, it is necessary to consider other factors, due to the influence of which there is pain in the knee.

Diseases of other organs, as a cause of knee pain.

Some pathologies that are not related to the knee joint can cause pain in it:

  1. Fibromyalgia.The discomfort is localized to the muscles and soft tissues, but can occur in nearby joints. The inflammatory process does not develop. In addition to aching pain in the knee joint, a person feels stiffness in movements, fatigue, and may experience seizures.
  2. Dysplasia or coxarthrosis of the hip joint.The pain syndrome in this case extends to the entire leg.
  3. Sciatic nerve neuropathy.It is pinched by the vertebrae of the lumbosacral spine. Severe stabbing pain can radiate to the thigh and knee.

What systemic pathologies can cause knee pain? In addition to the reasons that have already been described above, there are other factors that contribute to the development of pain syndrome:

  • gout.The presented disease occurs due to a violation of the metabolism of uric acid in the body. It is poorly removed from it, it turns into salt deposits that accumulate in the joints. In this case, the knee can also hurt. And the pain is very sharp, sharp. Most often, the pathology occurs in men who abuse alcohol and eat incorrectly. In the affected area, the skin reddens, and at night the knee joint hurts more. The duration of the attack ranges from a couple of days to several weeks;
  • osteoporosis. The pathology is associated with low bone density due to its inadequate formation. Pain in the knee joint is dull and aching, it is not so easy to get rid of. The bones in this pathology are highly susceptible to fractures;
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.This is a systemic pathology, which is characterized by inflammation of the connective tissue. It begins its active development with a decrease in the protective functions of the organism. It is manifested by a feeling of stiffness, which a person can feel after a long stay in a state of rest;
  • osteomyelitis.The presented bacterial pathology causes quite severe pains of a dull nature. In the area of the affected joint, the skin reddens and discomfort increases with any movement. The danger of this disease is that its consequence is the beginning of the death of the bone marrow;
  • infectious diseases.They are characterized by pain in the knee joint, which disappears after a course of antibiotic treatment;
  • Paget's disease.In this case, the bone tissue is formed incorrectly, due to which the spine begins to deform. With this pathology, it is the tubular bones that are affected, which subsequently become very fragile. Recognizing this disease is quite difficult, since the symptoms may not appear. The only thing that can indicate the presence of pathology is that the sore knee hurts at night and warmth is felt at the site of injury.
Athlete's knee pain

If the knee pain was caused by a systemic disease or skeletal pathology, it is not always possible to get rid of it completely. However, treatment must be carried out without fail so that the disease does not develop further or at least slow down its course.

Trauma as a cause of pain syndrome

Pathological processes in this case can develop immediately after the injury and some time later. We can distinguish such injuries of the knee joint:

  1. Torn, Torn, or Torn Ligaments in the Knee.These injuries give rise to the appearance of joint "advancement" syndrome. Also, a person feels severe pain, hemarthrosis of the joint develops, which becomes unstable.
  2. Injury.Here the intensity of the pain syndrome is low. There are no serious consequences after the injury. The swelling, as well as the bruising, usually go away on their own within a week or two.
  3. Meniscus tear.Produces a strong blow to the anterior region of the knee joint. After the acute period of the pathology has passed, the pain syndrome usually worries the patient while climbing the stairs, which is quite difficult to implement. There is a slight swelling in the area of the knee joint.
  4. Fracture.Appears when falling from a great height or a strong shock effect. The pain is strong, sharp, swelling appears in the affected area, and the skin turns pale. The victim cannot stand on his injured leg. During a fracture, a crack and a crack are heard, and the bone can break through the skin.
  5. Tendon rupture.This injury is not common, but it leads first to sharp pain and then to severe pain. When walking, the pain in the left or right knee increases.
  6. Dislocation of the knee joint.In this case, some of the constituent parts of the board can get out of it.

Trauma can cause chronic diseases.

Most pathologies of the knee joint have similar symptoms, so it can be quite difficult to recognize them. That is why it is not worth self-medicating, since you can further aggravate the situation.

who is at risk

Knee pain, crackling, and swelling in the affected area are more common in some people than others. The risk group includes those people who:

  1. The presence of primary pathologies.
  2. genetic predisposition.
  3. Constant sports overload of the knee.
  4. Excessive body weight.
  5. Injury.
  6. I had surgery on my knee joint.
  7. Insufficiently good development of the muscular apparatus of the knee joint.

Also, women are more susceptible to knee diseases, as well as elderly and elderly people.

In what cases it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Doctor examining a patient's knee

If a person feels that his knees hurt, he urgently needs to contact a specialist in this case:

  1. The patient has had stabbing pains for more than two months that do not allow him to sleep peacefully at night.
  2. If the pain syndrome is characterized by high intensity, it appears suddenly.
  3. A crunch is heard in the knee joint when walking.
  4. Knees hurt daily, and at a certain time, under certain conditions.
  5. In the knee joint, instability is felt from time to time.
  6. If there are additional pathological signs: skin rash, fever, fever.
  7. Aching pain appeared, which is accompanied by deformation of the joints, limitation of their mobility.
  8. Pain syndrome becomes a constant companion of a person.
  9. Signs of an inflammatory process appeared: reddening of the skin, swelling, increased local temperature in the affected area.

These signs are already enough to make the decision to see a doctor. By delaying the visit, the patient increases the duration and complexity of therapy, and also allows the pathology to develop further.

varieties of pain

Why the knees hurt, most of the reasons for the development of the pathological condition are already clear. But the nature of the pain may be different. For example, depending on the disease that caused it, the pain is of the following nature:

  • sharp, sharpCauses meniscus or ligament tear, reactive arthritis, acute phase of bursitis;
  • bored, pullingBursitis or synovitis can cause it;
  • pain.This type of pain is characteristic of arthrosis, gonarthrosis;
  • pulsatingIt is felt by a person with an injury to the menisci or as a result of an injury with deforming arthrosis;
    • Stabbing Knee Pain Caused by Meniscus Injury
  • fire.It is characteristic of impingement of the sciatic nerve, as well as tuberculosis of the bones;
  • stab.It is caused by a cyst in the synovial bursa. And the stabbing pain is characteristic of osteoporosis, an old injury to the menisci;
  • drilling.It is caused by osteomyelitis;
  • Newspaper.It appears when the patient develops inflammation of the tendons or muscles;
  • shooting through.It causes pinching of the nerve endings.

Diagnosis of pathology and first aid

Many people complain that their knees hurt and they don't know what to do. But when you feel pain and crunch in the knee joint, you should definitely undergo an examination and start treatment.

Diagnosis of pain in the knee joint using MRI

Diagnosis involves the use of such procedures:

  1. Laboratory tests of blood and urine.
  2. Blood chemistry.
  3. Bone marrow puncture and synovial fluid.
  4. Smear for the presence of bacterial microflora.
  5. arthroscopy. This procedure is used both as a diagnosis and as a treatment for joint pain. It is easy to do and does not require a long rehabilitation period.
  6. Bone scan.
  7. MRI or computed tomography.
  8. ultrasound.
  9. Densitometry.

Knee pain: first aid

If a person feels pain or drawing pain in the leg in the knee area, first of all, he should secure the rest of the limb. Home treatment involves taking pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Apply a cold compress to a knee injury.

The pain can be relieved with a cold compress. Cold is used as a method of pain relief when the cause of the pain is trauma. The limb is immobilized and placed on a hill. When there are wounds in the joint area, they must be treated with an antiseptic. These measures are not a complete treatment. They should be taken only before a visit to the doctor.

Knee pain: medical treatment

So what to do if you hear a crack in the joint and feel great discomfort? You must first find out why these symptoms appear. One of the stages of therapy is drug treatment. So, with pain in the knee joint, you can quickly eliminate serious symptoms with the help of such drugs:

  • antibiotics (when the discomfort is caused by a viral infection);
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Some pathologies need to be treated with surgery. If there is fluid in the cavity of the knee joint, it must be removed. The cyst can also be treated by surgery or a glucocorticosteroid blockade.

Take medicine to relieve knee pain.

If the joints ache due to injury, in some cases it is necessary to reposition the bones. A tight bandage, brace, and even a plaster cast are applied to the affected joint. It is necessary to treat a limb not only with the help of pills. Often the patient is assigned to wear or use special orthopedic devices so that the load can be taken off the knee.

It is necessary to treat systemic pathologies in a complex way. Knee pain in these cases has to be treated with immunosuppressants, anti-inflammatories, glucocorticoids. To eliminate the symptoms of gonarthrosis, drug injections into the joint, chondroprotectors, are used.

Therapeutic Gymnastics and Massage

If the knee joint hurts when standing up, a crunch is heard, and discomfort bothers even at night, then physical exercises, as well as massage sessions, will help eliminate stiffness and relieve pain.

Therapeutic massage session for an injured knee

At the same time, gymnastics should be done if the person does not have much pain and with the permission of the doctor. All exercises are done slowly. You can not make sudden movements. If the knees are very sore, then you need to switch to the simplest exercises. Weekly load can be increased.

In a lying or sitting position, you can flex and extend your limbs, alternate half turns, bring your knees to your stomach, and move your legs to the sides. After completing a series of exercises, you need to relax, and then continue with the massage. This procedure is also very effective in relieving pain.

Sore knees can be kneaded, rubbed on their own, but it would be better if it was done by a specialist. To get rid of most of the symptoms, you need to go through a course of massage procedures, one session of which lasts no more than 20 minutes. Rubbing the inside and outside, as well as the lateral surfaces, puts pressure on the patella. During the procedure, you need to make sure that the person does not hurt.

How to treat knee joints at home?

A crunch in the knees, as well as the pain that appears at night, is an unpleasant phenomenon. It is already known why these symptoms appear. However, it is possible to relieve pain and restore normal function of the joint not only with medication. You can do this at home with the help of home remedies.

Quickly get rid of the pathology will not work. In this way, you need to treat the knee for at least two months. Also, you need to find really effective products that have good reviews.

Home treatment of the knee with a compress

The following recipes may be helpful:

  1. In half a liter of boiling water pour 2 large tablespoons of cinquefoil grass, after which you need to let it brew. Drink the drug should be twice a day for 100 ml. You can apply a decoction of cinquefoil on a sore knee as a compress for the night.
  2. A decoction of oatmeal will help get rid of pain. To prepare it, you must take a liter of water and a glass of grain. The mixture is boiled, after which it is left overnight to infuse. During the day you need to use 2 glasses of liquid, dividing it into several parts. It takes 2 weeks to treat the joints in this way.
  3. To relieve discomfort and improve blood circulation in the affected area, you can apply a compress of grated potatoes and horseradish, taken in equal proportions. It will help to quickly get rid of pain. Apply a compress to the affected knee and cover with a clean cloth. Wash it off after 15 minutes. To relieve unpleasant symptoms, only 10 procedures are enough.
  4. A mustard compress, applied to the sore leg at night, also received good reviews. To prepare it, take a tablespoon of mustard, mixed with the same amount of honey and soda. In the morning, the compress will help relieve severe discomfort.
  5. If the knee joints hurt, bitter pepper tincture can be used for rubbing. A half-liter jar should be filled with chopped pepper, and then alcohol poured on top of the container. You need to insist on the remedy for a week.

You can self-massage your knee at home.

If you already know why the nuisance appeared, then you can choose the appropriate folk therapies that will help get rid of it. But before that, you need to consult a doctor.

Prevention of pathology

In order for the knee joints to remain healthy and work well for a long time, you need to follow the simple recommendations of doctors:

  1. Reduce joint stress.
  2. It is rational to combine rest and work.
  3. Timely treat any infectious diseases in the body.
  4. Avoid hypothermia of the extremities.
  5. From the age of 35 it is advisable to start taking chondroprotectors.
  6. During sports, it is necessary to protect the joints with knee pads - special orthopedic devices for fixing the joint.
  7. It is important to normalize your weight.
  8. Nutrition plays an important role in skeletal health. It is better to reduce the consumption of saturated animal fats, white bread, sweets. More fiber, vegetable oils, vegetables and fruits should be introduced into the diet. Proper nutrition will not only help relieve discomfort, but also improve the functionality of the joints.