Knee Pain and Knee Joint Pain

If we stop to think about what our knees go through every day, supporting the weight of our body, and being the primary mechanism that moves us up and down, it's no wonder they bother us occasionally. 

And, what happens if we don't treat the pain and ignore the signs that trouble may lie ahead?

Not only is there a risk of further injury, but other areas of the body may also begin to feel pain. This is often due to the alterations we make in our movements when feeling any type of joint or muscle discomfort.

As in the case of a painful knee, we will most likely begin to change the way we walk in order to relieve pressure on the knee joints. Once we've done this, the spine and its supporting muscles are no longer in their natural position and may begin to feel the consequences of compensations made for the sore knee.

Likewise, compensation made for pain that originates in other parts of the body, such as the feet, hips or back, can quickly result in pain in one or both knees.

There are many different causes of knee pain stiffness, and soreness. Although some produce only a minor and temporary annoyance, others are of a more serious nature and can result in chronic knee pain. For this reason, neither should be ignored.

Diagnose Knee Pain Properly

Diagnosing knee pain, or a knee injury, should be done by your doctor. So as not to cause further damage it is important to let them decide what treatments are best for your situation.

What are some of the signs that you need to have your knee examined?

• sharp knee pain
• associated leg pain
• swelling, or deformity around the knee
• inability to place weight on the knee without pain
• knee joint pain when in a resting position
• feeling of intense pressure around the knee
• inability to straighten or bend the knee
• sign of infection, as with redness and warmth around the knee
• pain lasting for several days

...or any other unusual or worrisome sensations that might suggest something is wrong.

You may also be interested in:
Exercise Painful Knee, Knee Arthritis Pain, Knee Joint Injuries, Knee Stretching Exercise, Leg Pain

Types of Knee Joint Pain

What is it that's bothering you? Accurately describing your symptoms to your doctor will help them more easily diagnose your knee pain causes.

Do you have knee swelling? Swelling can occur for a number of reasons. When appearing suddenly, or over a period of hours, swelling could signal an injury such as a ligament strain, a torn meniscus, or an injury to the top of the shin bone. Swelling can also occur without injury, as in the case of knee arthritis or a gout flare-up.

Where is the pain located? Although pain can be felt in multiple areas, it can be helpful for your doctor to know the primary source.

• Pain behind knee: Posterior pain may be the symptom of a Bakers Cyst, a hamstring pull, or a strain on the posterior cruciate ligament, PCL, the ligament which connects areas of the tibia and femur.
• Pain in front of knee: Anterior pain, often felt in the area of the kneecap or patella, can result from a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, ACL, or an inflammation or swelling of the sac of fluid, the bursa, on the front of the kneecap.
• Pain on inside of knee: This is known as medial knee pain and can be a result of a medial meniscus tear, medial knee osteoarthritis, or less commonly, what is known as synovial plica syndrome, all of which can be very painful when bending, squatting or walking.
• Pain on outside of knee: Known as lateral knee pain, this can be caused by a torn lateral cartilage or meniscus, osteoarthritis in the knee, a kneecap or patella injury, or iliotibial band syndrome, often referred to as runner's knee.

Does your knee feel unstable? Since the knee ligaments provide stability to the knee, an injury can create the feeling that the knee is "giving out". Temporary use of a walking aid may be necessary if your pain is such that you are not able to place weight on your knee, or if you feel unsteady while standing or walking.

• Grinding: This type of sound can sometimes result from the bone-on-bone effect of advanced arthritis.
• Snapping and popping: These sounds are not uncommon and are often harmless. However, if they are accompanied by pain or discomfort they may signal a problem.

Has your knee locked? Has it really locked, or does it just feel locked - two distinctly different problems. Although there are instances where a piece of cartilage or loose bone fragment can wedge itself into a position which makes it impossible to bend the knee, the same sensation may result from knee pain and swelling.

Knee arthritis usually affects people who are over 50 years of age and although it is more common with people who are overweight it is also known to be hereditary. Past stresses on the knee such as trauma due to an injury, a torn meniscus or ligament, or a previous bone fracture can also result in arthritis.

Knee Pain Remedy

Consulting with your doctor is the best thing you can do to treat a knee problem. However, while waiting to have your knee evaluated you may want to try...

• elevating and resting the knee
• using ice therapy
• temporarily using walking aids, such as a cane or crutches

What your doctor recommends for treatment will depend on your situation. It may include physical therapy with knee stretching exercise, along with some simple home remedies, or it may be a more aggressive approach. Whatever their advice, following it closely may help prevent further injury.

You've probably heard the saying about an ounce of prevention...

The less we bang our knees around the more flexible and healthier they may be for years down the road.