Common Causes of Knee Pain

Knee joint pain is quite a common complaint that affects many people of all ages, both male and female. Knee joint pain can be caused by an injury, like a sprained ligament or a torn ligament. Other forms of mild knee pain often respond well to simple self-care measures. If you have a more serious problem, though, you might benefit from a visit to your doctor.

Knee joint pain can be caused by meningitis, a chronic bacterial infection, a tear or fracture of the patella, or by meniscal stress, the tension on the meniscus causing knee pain. Meningitis attacks the lining of the inner thigh bone, and it often affects the outer portion of the quadriceps muscle. A Meniscal tear involves tearing of the exterior portion of the meniscus muscle. Both conditions can cause swelling, read here although not always, and there may be pain.

Some other common knee pain conditions include meniscal tears, bone spurs (also known as metatarsal bones that form on the side of each toe), and other foot-related injuries, including tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon that runs between the heel bone and the toes). Sometimes these conditions are caused by mechanical problems with the knee. For example, a sharp turn or change in direction may pull on the patella, causing considerable pain. Injuries to the cartilage can result in the same problem. Sometimes the knee can rotate in ways that seem like a painful pull, but actually point to an arthritic bone spur.

In the case of meniscal tears, physical therapy or a brace may help relieve the pain. If you have a meniscal tear, the doctor may suggest that you keep your weight under control, wear a protective splint, and take no active part in physical activity. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help heal the torn ligaments. A cast may also be placed on your knee for several weeks.

Many doctors recommend taking an ice pack to relieve knee pain, as well. An ice pack wrapped in a small towel and then wrapped again are often very effective. An ice pack can help to reduce swelling and may also help to correct a slip, which many people injure when playing sports or going up and down the stairs.

Swelling is another problem that can occur with many knee injuries. In addition to the above problems, the swelling can be caused by fluid accumulation due to other causes, such as strenuous exercise, surgery, or more severe injuries. Some of the symptoms of this type of condition include pain, tenderness, and instability. The doctor will most likely order x-rays to look at bone spurs in the joint, but more invasive imaging techniques may be needed to get a clearer picture of the situation. Your chronic knee pain specialist may suggest an MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan to get a better idea of where the swelling is located and how severe the injury is.

There are many other causes of knee pain, but the ones above are some of the most common. Chronic knee pain can be caused by a variety of reasons, but some of them are not as obvious as others. For example, some causes of knee pain are related to arthritis, while others are related to an acute injury. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion as well as pain and swelling around the knee joint. Surgery can also cause knee pain, as well as a number of different types of trauma to the knee joint. Some of the less obvious injuries can include an ankle fracture, a whiplash injury, or even a broken wrist.

One of the less obvious knee pain causes is an injury to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons that support the knee. In the case of a whiplash injury, for example, the muscles or tendons that are injured might pull back on the patella, causing it to move in a way that it did not previously do. Because the muscles, ligaments, or tendons are not the only parts of the knee that move, this can result in knee pain. In some cases, this can be a result of muscle fatigue, and weakness from lack of exercise, but it can also be caused by the new tension caused by the pulling of the patella. Another possible cause is a change in the strength of the muscles that support the knee. Certain sports such as football can cause significant strength changes in the legs, especially when the ball is thrown at extremely fast speeds.