The knee joint is an important organ in the human body, because it facilitates movement and walking and supports the body’s weight, especially during sports or various physical activities. Therefore, the patient feels helpless, disturbed, and uncomfortable if he is exposed to an injury, inflammation, or disease. In this article, we will introduce you to the causes of knee pain, and how to treat and manage it so that you can return to your movement and practice your activities safely.

What are the causes of knee pain?

The knee supports the body's weight, especially during movement, so it is one of the joints most susceptible to pain. Below we tell you the most important causes of knee pain:

• Severe injuries to the knee joint: Severe injuries can dislocate or fracture the knee joint, or tear or inflame the surrounding ligaments and tendons, which may cause pain, discomfort, and swelling.

• Obesity: Knee pain is more common in obese or overweight people than in healthy or ideal-weight people, according to a 2011 study.

• Gout: Gout occurs as a result of the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, including the knee joint, which leads to pain and discomfort, especially during bending of the joint or movement, and may also be accompanied by swelling and inflammation.

• Osteoporosis or degenerative tissue disorders: Osteoporosis causes wear and tear on the knee joint and other joints of the body, and makes the bone less delicate, making it more likely to break easily. This may lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling.

• Bacterial infection: Some bacteria cause inflammation in the cellular tissues around the knee, and neglecting them may lead to them reaching the joint, leading to swelling, inflammation, and stiffness, and thus the patient feels pain and discomfort.

• التهاب المفاصل الروماتويدي: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling and inflammation in the knee and other joints of the body.

• Tendonitis: Hamstring tendinitis occurs as a result of repetitive and excessive use of the joint and lack of rest, and this can lead to pain and swelling.

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Also known as runner's knee, because it affects runners, the injury or inflammation occurs in the kneecap bone just above the knee, and causes pain in the area, crepitus (grinding or rubbing of the knee with the bone), and inflammation.

• Ligament rupture: A tear in the anterior, posterior, or lateral cruciate ligament causes knee pain, inflammation, and swelling in the area.

• Bursitis: Bursae are fluid-filled sacs located between joints. They may become inflamed as a result of injury, infection, or prolonged bending of the knee, causing pain, swelling, and discomfort, especially when moving.

• Costochondritis: Costochondritis occurs as a result of an injury or strong sprain of the knee, which leads to pain, swelling, and redness.

•  These are pieces of cartilage in your knee.

• Bone tumorsBone tumors, also known as osteosarcoma, are the second most common type of bone cancer. They usually occur in the knee and cause severe pain.

Patients may experience knee pain at any time of the day. Some have pain in the morning when they wake up, and others feel pain at night, especially if they do a lot of physical activity during the day.

Also learn about: Methods of treating knee roughness

What are the causes of sudden knee pain?

It is happening Sudden knee pain As a result of some previous reasons, such as:

• Anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injuries.
• Collateral ligament injuries.
• Articular cartilage damage due to sprain or arthritis.
• Exposure to a fracture of the knee joint.
• Taking off.
• Inflammation of the tendons surrounding the knee joint.
• Inflammation of fluid sacs around the knee.
• Inflammation of the knee joint itself.
• Bacterial infection.

When is knee pain serious?

Knee pain is considered serious if it does not stop with analgesics and topical ointments, or if the patient feels stiffness in the joint and difficulty moving with sounds such as cracking or bending of the knee, in addition to the joint not bearing the patient’s weight.

What is the treatment for knee pain?

Treatment of knee pain depends on knowing the cause, but in most cases, doctors advise complete rest, not engaging in strenuous activities, and adhering to prescribed medications, such as pain relievers and oral and topical anti-inflammatories.

The doctor may also advise weight loss and healthy diets, if the patient suffers from obesity or gout.

Of course, there are other treatments besides painkillers, such as:

• Apply a fixed splint in case of fracture or dislocation, then physical therapy after it is loosened and the fracture is healed.
• Physical therapy in case of ligament tear or inflammation of cartilage or joints.
• Surgery in cases of severe fractures, severe ligament tears, or complete damage to the knee joint.

Book your consultation now at Orthopedic center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

In the end, knee pain negatively affects the patient’s life and activity, so its causes must be known by going to an orthopedic doctor to diagnose the condition correctly. Instructions, taking prescribed medications, and adherence to physical therapy sessions if prescribed should never be neglected in order to maintain the health and function of the joint, ligaments, and joints and strengthen them so that you can enjoy your life and practice your daily activities in comfort and safety without pain or discomfort.

Frequently asked questions

What does knee pain indicate?

Knee pain may occur due to several different causes. Ligament injuries are one of the common causes that result in knee pain, as the patient may be exposed to a rupture of the cruciate ligament, whether anterior or posterior. The pain may also be the result of a tear in a cartilage, such as the articular cartilage. Some knee pain appears as a result of exposure to rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, as well as septic arthritis, or infection with gout and bursitis. There are some other problems that lead to knee pain, such as osteoarthritis.

What is the best treatment for knee pain?

Treatment for knee pain depends on the pain that the patient feels, and therefore a doctor must be consulted immediately to find out the appropriate treatment method for each case. However, doctors follow two methods to get rid of knee pain. The first is medical treatment, which depends on physical therapy and practicing some exercises that strengthen the muscles and increase the flexibility of the knee. There are some cases that require the installation of a knee brace to help relieve the pain, and the second is home treatment. where This is done by applying cold compresses to the knee to reduce swelling, or by raising the leg and using some analgesic medications.

How do I know if my knee is inflamed?

There are some signs that indicate knee inflammation, and these signs are the appearance of severe pain in the knee, especially with movement, and the appearance of swelling around the knee, which occurs as a result of the accumulation of fluid around the joint. Redness appears around the knee and a feeling of warmth in it, which indicates knee inflammation. Also, one of the signs of knee inflammation is the cracking sound that appears during movement and when pressing on it. The patient also feels with knee inflammation an inability to stand and discomfort, and the patient finds difficulty when bending the knee and feeling stiffness in it.

Sources and references

Knee pain – mayoclinic

Knee Pain – clevelandclinic