Although knee pain is more common for older individuals, people of all ages experience knee pain. Knee pain is a specific type of leg pain, and can make everyday tasks like walking, exercising, playing sports, standing up, and working on your feet more difficult and painful.
Knee pain has many causes, but one of the most common causes of knee pain is injury. Athletes are at especially high risk for knee pain, as they are more prone to injury or overuse, both of which result in knee pain.
Luckily, there are many minor causes of knee pain that have easy fixes, like physical therapy exercises and using a knee brace. Below, we go over the common causes and symptoms of knee pain along with how it’s diagnosed and how it’s treated.
What are the causes of knee pain?
There are too many causes of knee pain to list them all; however, here are a few of the most common causes:
Injury. Injury is perhaps the most common cause of knee pain and can result due to a range of different reasons from car accidents to slips and falls to overuse.
Sprains and strains. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect the knee muscles to the bone. Strains are injuries to the muscles or tendons. These injuries usually happen due to a blow to the knee or a twist of the knee.
Car accidents. Car accidents are a common cause of knee pain that can result from injury to the knee.
Tendonitis. Tendonitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the tendons. It can occur due to wear and tear or overuse of a specific tendon. Tendonitis in the knee may occur due to frequent jumping, cycling, or running. Tendonitis in the patellar tendon is referred to as jumper’s knee because it is common for people who often jump, especially in sports like basketball. Jumping and landing on the ground with force puts added pressure and strain on the patellar tendon, resulting in tendonitis.
Arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints which can reduce movement and cause pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is characterized by wear and tear of the cartilage in the joint that over time begins to wear away. Osteoarthritis is most common in middle-aged and older people. Repeated injury or obesity may also cause or contribute to arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another common type of arthritis that affects the knee. Unlike osteoarthritis which mostly affects older people, rheumatoid arthritis can affect a person of any age. It is a condition where the immune system destroys healthy cells in the body, resulting in inflammation of the joints and reduced cartilage.
What do the symptoms of knee pain feel like?
The symptoms of knee pain will vary depending on the severity of the problem and the condition itself; however, here are some common symptoms of knee pain:
Stiffness and swelling around the knee
Weakness or instability
Inability to walk normally or straighten the knee
Redness and warmth around the affected area
Crunching or popping noises emanating from the knee
Difficulty walking
Increased pain when using the knee
If you’re experiencing the following symptoms of knee pain, you may have a serious issue that requires medical attention and you should see a doctor:
Your knee cannot bear any weight and it feels as if it might give out
Have significant swelling
Inability to flex the knee or fully extend it
There is a visible deformity in the knee (like it’s broken)
You have a fever along with swelling, redness, and pain (a sign of infection)
You had an injury and now have severe knee pain (a sign of broken bones or severe injury)
Increased pain when using the knee
Below are some other common conditions that result in knee pain and their specific symptoms.
Injury. Strains and sprains to the muscles or ligaments in the knee can result in pain, swelling of the knee, and difficulty walking on the affected knee. An injury to the meniscus, which acts as the cushion in the knee, may also result in immediate pain and swelling around the knee.
Arthritis. Arthritis, both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, usually comes on gradually. Therefore, knee pain, stiffness, and discomfort may build over time rather than immediately like knee pain from an injury might. Pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms of arthritis and pain usually increases when you move the knee and improves after you rest it. It may also feel worse at the end of the day.
Tendonitis. Patellar tendonitis, or jumper’s knee, usually causes people to feel pain and tenderness along with swelling around the knee. In addition, the area behind the lower part of the kneecap may also feel tender. Walking, running, and jumping may also make the pain worse.
Infection. An infection of the knee is a serious problem and should be treated by medical professionals immediately. Symptoms of infection include fever, nausea, chills, severe knee pain, knee stiffness, redness, swelling, and irritation.
How is knee pain diagnosed?
Knee pain is diagnosed differently in every case. In most cases, however, the diagnosis is relatively straightforward, especially if the patient believes the cause of knee pain to be a specific injury. If the patient cannot remember a specific injury that caused the knee pain, the doctor or chiropractor will ask if the patient plays sports like basketball, or is a big runner or cyclist.
In addition to asking these basic questions, a physical exam will be done by the doctor or chiropractor to get a better understanding of the condition of the knee.
Furthermore, if more diagnosis is needed, MRI scans, x-rays, or ultrasounds may be used to diagnose the condition and severity of the knee pain.
What is the treatment for knee pain?
Knee pain treatments vary depending on the diagnosis and the individual treating you. If it is a doctor treating you, you may get pain medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
A chiropractor. on the other hand, uses non-invasive treatments and no pain medication. A good, well-qualified chiropractor can diagnose the problem themself and offer effective, non-invasive treatment that targets the root cause of the problem. This may include stretching, manual therapy, manual manipulation, massage, physical therapy, electrical stimulation, and more.
Can a chiropractor help with knee pain?
A qualified chiropractor can help with any knee pain that does not require emergency attention. Whether you are recovering from a known injury or experiencing knee pain due to an unknown cause, a trained, experienced chiropractor can help you to diagnose the issue and carry out effective treatment options that are aimed to relieve pain and restore movement.
Visit Accident Care Chiropractic for Knee Pain
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