Often representatives of the middle and older age groups wonder why women have knee pain. Throughout life, day after day, the joints of this part of the legs are subject to severe stress. Therefore, it is not surprising that by the age of 40-50, women notice that the knee joint does not allow them to forget about themselves for a minute. It is important to note that at this age people are already at risk for the possibility of serious limb injuries, for example, if they perform excessive physical activity, or simply turn their leg incorrectly. And all due to the natural leaching of calcium from the body, as well as a decrease in the volume of synovial fluid in the joint.
In order to help yourself get rid of discomfort and pain, you need to understand other reasons why such sensations may arise. In some cases, pathological processes can only be managed with medication, and under the strict supervision of a doctor. It is no secret that the knee is one of the most important joints in the body, and the quality of life directly depends on its health. Therefore, we will consider in detail the causes and pathologies under the influence of which knee pain occurs.
Almost all diseases, inflammatory, dystrophic or traumatic in nature, affecting the knee joint have a similar clinical picture: the constant presence of severe pain, which increases when the knee is used, unnatural clicks, difficulty moving and supporting the affected leg, the presence of swelling of the soft tissues, as well as violation of the anatomical shape of the joint.
Considering any inflammatory disease, for example: bursitis, tendinitis or arthritis, they are almost always accompanied by the presence of swelling in the knee area. If the process is in an advanced or acute stage, then a person may experience an increase in body temperature and other signs of inflammation. A general blood test also helps identify pathology. The peculiarity of knee inflammation is that they begin abruptly, and the person himself did not feel a deterioration in his condition before and was considered completely healthy.
Among the dystrophic pathologies one can distinguish: arthrosis, meniscopathy, osteoarthritis. In most cases, they have a genetic reason for their development, that is, they are transmitted along a related line. The disease can develop with abnormal development of the joint, abnormal structure of cartilage or tendon tissue, and the progression is slow. In some cases, pathology manifests itself due to impaired metabolism, or at the time of progression of a chronic disease affecting the joint. Also, their development is associated with constant increased load on the knees, which is not natural.
Symptoms during dystrophic processes, due to slow progression, increase gradually. Patients experience more than one year, which is divided into phases of remission and exacerbation. The diseases presented are always difficult to treat, and therapy takes a long time.
Diseases associated with previous knee injuries can also be dystrophic or inflammatory. Let us consider in more detail the pathologies in which women may feel pain in the knee joint.
Joint with arthrosis
When a patient is diagnosed with this disease, symptoms often do not appear until early in its development. It takes some time for them to build up. In situations where knee pain appears after severe hypothermia, the pathology can provoke the development of an inflammatory nature that becomes chronic. When moving, the woman feels discomfort and it becomes difficult to stand for a long time.
All this can lead to the fact that after 50 years the patient will be diagnosed with arthrosis, accompanied by chronic pain in the knee joint. It is possible to identify the pathology in a timely manner and begin therapeutic measures to eliminate it only if you consult a doctor in a timely manner.
With arthrosis, the inflammatory process inside the knee is caused by pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria), and if the pathology is in the acute stage, then the following symptoms will be present:
The main cause of chronic arthrosis is salt deposition. In this condition, the patient experiences certain difficulties with movement, the joint loses its mobility, and may finally harden. Against the background of salt deposition, pain intensifies and muscle atrophy develops.
Joint with arthritis
With the development of the inflammatory process of all the constituent elements of the knee joint, we can talk about arthritis. In this case, the disease can develop in women at any age, but young girls and representatives of the middle age group are more often affected. The pathological process may involve either one knee or both, depending on the true cause of the disease.
The highest level of manifestation of painful and characteristic symptoms is the first days of arthritis progression. The pathology has a clear clinical picture: swelling of the soft tissues occurs in the area of the affected knee, the skin becomes red, there is always a feeling of pain, which always intensifies in the evening, then the patient feels as if his knees are bursting. A characteristic feature of arthritis is the almost complete absence of pain during night sleep. Sometimes this symptom helps confirm the diagnosis.
Women should also know that pain in this pathology is not associated with walking, running or body position. They can occur at any time, even at rest, and they cannot be reduced either by changing posture or by using a cold compress. The only thing that helps is taking anti-inflammatory drugs, but the effect is not long-lasting.
In some cases, knee pain in women occurs due to an old or recent injury, caused by excessive stress on the joint. Quite often, women who ride bicycles complain of similar sensations. It should also be said that every girl who is interested in any type of sports activity automatically falls into the risk group for injuries and the development of pathologies of the knee joints. Most often, during exercise, you can get a rupture or sprain of the tendons; against this background, inflammation of the joint capsule develops, formations form in it, which provoke the appearance of pain in the patella.
External meniscus tear
The disease is formed as a result of various damage to the meniscus. The risk group includes women who lead an active lifestyle, go in for sports, including extreme activities. But there is a risk of injury in everyday life, for example, if you make a sudden movement or move very quickly (running, jumping, walking).
When the meniscus is injured, at that moment the woman will feel a sharp pain in the knee area, which will force her to stop moving. If the damage is minor, the discomfort will go away in a few minutes, and the patient will be able to continue doing what he was doing. But if the injury is serious, the pain may not go away. Over time, visible swelling of the knee appears, and a hematoma (hemarthrosis) may form under the patella if the blood vessels have been damaged. In this case, movement of the joint will be impossible, or unnatural clicks will appear.
The feeling of pain can persist for 14-21 days, after which it becomes less intense or disappears completely. Unfortunately, if correct treatment is not carried out, it will be impossible to fully restore all the functional abilities of the knee. Against this background, a chronic disease may develop, in which pain will always appear when exposed to provocateurs.
Here we will also consider tendonitis in aggregate. The difference between these two diseases is that with bursitis, inflammation of the joint and tendon capsule occurs, and with tendinitis, this process is localized in the ligaments and tendons. The main reason for the development of both pathologies are injuries or abnormalities in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Tendinitis sometimes occurs when the tendons in the knee are not formed properly or become weak. It is also worth noting that the presented pathologies are practically not diagnosed in women, but there is still a share of clinical cases.
Speaking of bursitis, it is often a complication of arthritis, due to the fact that infectious bacteria from the joint cavity penetrate into its capsule. But it also happens that arthritis develops against the background of bursitis. The main difference between the symptoms of these diseases is the increased severity of pain in the knee area with bursitis. It is always present, even if the person is at rest, which is due to the stretching of the capsule by inflammatory or purulent contents, with their subsequent impact on the nerve endings.
In some cases, bursitis affects small tendons, and then the disease is called a cyst, for example, a Baker's cyst. Painful sensations in such pathologies are less pronounced, but at a certain point they are quite acute. When palpating the skin, you can find a lump.
Tendinitis also causes pain and swelling in the affected knee. The pain can become stronger at those moments when the muscles contract and when bending (extending) the knee, and it also radiates to the muscles of the lower leg or thigh.
Ischemic knee pain
If the blood circulation in the knee joint is impaired, then women may feel ischemic pain. The reason for this phenomenon is a change in weather conditions, hypothermia, and increased physical activity. A characteristic feature of pain is that it appears symmetrically, in both limbs at once. Its intensity is always the same, and there is no connection with human movements.
With this condition, women often use the expression “twisting their knees.” There is no special therapy for ischemic pain, and to relieve discomfort, ointments with a warming effect, taking or rubbing with agents that dilate blood vessels are suitable.
When a woman is diagnosed with an inflammatory process in the periarticular tissues, the doctor will make a diagnosis of periarthritis. Middle-aged women (over 40 years old) should be considered at risk. The pain is usually located on the inside of the knee (under the kneecap), and most often appears at the moment when the center of gravity is transferred to the sore leg: if a woman goes down the stairs or goes up, or carries heavy weights. Similar discomfort can be observed during squats.
Discomfort does not occur if the patient moves calmly and on a flat surface. It is worth saying that with periarthritis there is no disturbance in the motor activity of the joint, due to which the normal amplitude of movements is maintained. There are also no external signs of pathology, no redness or swelling, and no deformation is observed.
Women of the middle age group, starting from 35 years old, should not forget to monitor their health. If you feel pain of unknown origin in your knee joint, then you should immediately go to see a doctor. Careful diagnostics and a correct diagnosis will help maintain motor activity in the joint, and also protect against the development of serious complications that can lead to disability.
Very often, when bending, walking or squatting, a person can hear crunching and creaking in the knee, many do not pay attention to this, because in addition to the crunching, they also experience pain in the knee. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the skin of the knee. If it is dry and rough, this indicates that the person lacks vitamins or has salt deposits. You need to urgently consult a doctor, because if this problem is not cured in time.
The condition can only worsen, the legs will begin to swell, weaken and the pain will become unbearable, because the muscles weaken and at the same time the articular cartilage becomes much thinner and loses its elasticity.
The knee joint is considered one of the most loaded parts of the human skeleton and is subject to minor injuries. Most often, a person falls on his knee and is also hit by it. Pain and crunching may occur due to joint disease.
1. Due to excess weight, a strong, heavy and constant load is placed on the knees.
2. Due to the fact that a person lifts something heavy, one should not lift a load more than 5 kg, because it can cause injury to the cartilage tissue.
3. Girls and women, due to wearing high heels, cannot walk on them all day.
4. From unhealthy diet, when a person eats a lot of sweet or salty foods. Remember that knee joints require vitamins and minerals, it is best to eat as many vegetables and fruits as possible.
5. With a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle. If a person does not move enough, his blood circulation begins to be impaired, while the structure of the cartilage is completely deformed, and the muscles weaken.
6. Pain and crunching in the knee due to injury.
7. A young woman experiences pain due to arthrosis.
8. The appearance of pain due to hereditary predisposition.
9. Pain due to endocrine problems or infection.
1. An x-ray or arthroscopy can help to understand the cause of the pain.
2. Computed tomography is a very good way to determine the condition of the joint.
1. Visit the sauna, this is where you can completely relax tired joints and relieve muscle tension.
2. Make useful applications. To do this, you need to take wheat bran, add milk and put the paste on your knee. Cover the knee with special paper for a compress, tie it with a scarf, preferably a woolen one, hold it for 30 minutes, rinse off the paste with warm water and lubricate it with a softening cream that nourishes the skin.
3. A variety of compresses are an excellent remedy. To do this, you need to take any vegetable oil - 5 tablespoons, orange or lemon juice - one tablespoon. Apply the prepared mixture to the fabric and leave for half an hour. After removing the compress, you need to massage your knees using circular movements of your hands and wrap them well.
4. A warm bath will also help you relax; after it, be sure to rub your knees with either cream or nourishing ointment.
5. Lotions also help very well; for this you need to take a tablespoon of soda and a liter of water. Then soak the bandage in this mixture and apply it to your knee for 20 minutes. After soaking, lubricate your knee with warm olive oil. These lotions need to be done every day for one week.
6. Morning physical exercise helps a lot with crunching and pain in the knee. Exercises that help a lot are scissors and a bicycle.
7. You cannot relieve pain with one pill; treatment must be comprehensive so that nutrients are supplied to the knee. Also restore blood circulation in the joint.
8. Swimming helps very well, you should not play volleyball and basketball.
9. It is important to undergo a physiotherapy course. Be sure to use an ointment that contains bee and snake venom. For severe knee pain, doctors prescribe painkillers.
10. The knee joint can be healed with hirudotherapy.
11. Remember that a person should drink at least half a liter of purified still water per day.
12. Foods rich in calcium will help relieve pain and crunching knees - cottage cheese, dates, dried apricots, figs.
13. Knee pain can be relieved with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With the help of these drugs you can relieve swelling and restore mobility in the joints. These drugs include Tylenol and aspirin.
14. At home, you can treat knee pain with cold, for this you need to put it on for 15 minutes. This procedure should be repeated up to 4 times a day. Using cold can slow down the flow of fluid and freeze the nerve. This can relieve swelling and pain.
15. Fixing the knee to support the patella.
16. If the pain is very severe, it is best to elevate the knee.
Crunching in the knees occurs for various reasons:
1. If the ligaments in the knee are damaged, torn or stretched, then they are the ones that crunch.
2. In cases of tendon rupture, when they are torn.
3. A crunching sensation occurs in the kneecap if it has been displaced. The sound occurs because the tissues in the kneecap rub and slide.
1. Lead an active lifestyle.
2. Physical activity should be moderate.
3. Adjust body weight.
4. Do physical therapy.
5. Normalize your diet.
6. Timely examination.
So, pain and crunching in the knee can occur for various reasons; it is very important to know why exactly they appeared and begin treatment. It must be remembered that pain and crunching is most often the result of an injury; it can be inflicted early, and pain in the knee will appear in a month. Knee pain may indicate serious problems with the body due to poor lifestyle choices. If the above treatment methods do not help you, it is very important to consult with an orthopedist, you may need a serious course of treatment. It is very important to eliminate crunching and pain in the knee joint in a timely manner so that complications do not arise and you do not lose mobility in the knee.
Why do my hands and knees burn? This question can often be found on medical forums. A burning sensation in the knee joints, and sometimes in the hands, can be disturbing for various reasons. Burning itself is not a disease, but a symptomatic syndrome.
Both young and elderly people complain of burning in the knees. This can happen during the day or at night. The burning sensation can be periodic or constant, and may be accompanied by pain, difficulty moving the joints, and swelling. Usually these symptoms come later; a person is in no hurry to see a doctor if his legs or knees are burning. In fact, it is better to visit a specialist as soon as you feel this symptom, because it can signal serious joint diseases.
Discomfort can be felt asymmetrically, in the joints of the hands, knees, and sometimes the ankle joints burn. It all depends on the location of the underlying disease and its severity. In addition, the legs may become numb, lose sensitivity, and hurt above the knees.
The reasons why your feet are unusually hot, sore and swollen can be different; this is a symptom of many diseases. This often happens after an old injury, for example, a fracture, dislocation, sprain, or severe bruise. Untreated injury causes joint diseases and disorders. Fresh injuries to the meniscus, tendons and ligaments of the knee can cause acute burning, pain and swelling. It is necessary to minimize movement of the damaged joint; you can apply an ice compress to relieve swelling. After immediate first aid has been provided, you should go to the emergency room.
The second reason that provokes burning in the joints is a lack of vitamins and minerals or their excess. This imbalance can be caused by several factors:
Vitamin-mineral imbalance can cause weakening of joints and ligaments, malnutrition of joints, and problems with the body’s immune system. Symptoms of imbalance: stiffness in the joints, legs become heavy, the skin turns red, and an acute burning sensation appears.
The third reason may be related to a viral disease. The infection settles on the lymph nodes, which are located on the articular surfaces. There is a feeling that your legs and fingers are burning. The burning sensation can be local, in the area of the knee and ankle or above the knees. The source of infection may be far from the joint surfaces, but if you have had a cold or flu, the remaining bacteria can cause rheumatic or infectious arthritis.
Joint diseases, such as arthritis, arthrosis, bursitis, synovitis and other joint pathologies, can manifest themselves in the initial stages with a slight burning sensation, which gradually intensifies.
Diseases of the spinal column can also provoke varying degrees of burning in the legs and arms. To determine the nature of the lesion, X-rays are taken and fluid is taken from the spine. In addition, there may be other causes of discomfort.
Most people in the world face the problem of knee pain. And there is nothing to worry about - after all, the daily stress on the knees is very high, which is why joint pain can occur. As a rule, the easiest way to get a knee injury is during sports training or during heavy physical activity.
The situation when your knees hurt is very unpleasant; measures should be taken immediately to reduce pain and avoid injuries in the future.
The knee joint is the largest in the entire human body. Hence its very complex structure. The knee joint is located at the junction of the femur and two bones of the lower leg. The femur and knee are connected through tendons, muscles, and cartilage. There are shock absorbers in the knee joint; their function is performed by the menisci. The menisci are also responsible for the mobility of the knees. The kneecap covers the patella, protecting it from strong forces, allowing the joint to move freely.
There are many reasons that influence knee pain. And the first question that people have in such a situation is: “knees hurt, what should I do?” But to deal with this, you first need to understand the root cause.
Knee pain is associated with damage to joints, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, as well as various pathologies of the knee joint. If swelling occurs with pain in the knee and the joint feels hotter than the other, this may indicate the presence of a disease such as arthritis. In addition, the knee may not hurt, but the person will feel that it is stiff, that is, movements are difficult, it is especially difficult to perform lateral movements. Sometimes knee pain can cause pain in the leg muscles above the knees. This situation is most likely associated with excessive exercise.
Most often, knee pain occurs when the meniscus is damaged. But a meniscus injury can be caused by anything - a fall, a strong blow, and so on. Damage to the meniscus can be caused by excess body weight or intense sports activities. If the cause of knee pain is excess weight, then a person needs to follow a diet to lose pounds and reduce the load on his joint.
Most often, knee pain occurs due to injury. Typically, such damage can occur in the following situations:
As a rule, immediately after receiving an injury, you can notice the first symptoms: swelling of the knee, bruising, and acute pain in the joint. When the knee is swollen and painful, there is a very unpleasant feeling in the joint, as if it is being prevented from moving. In addition, you may experience a feeling of numbness in the knee or even the entire leg, as well as a feeling of cold. This occurs as a result of the fact that nerve endings can be pressed.
To better understand, let's look at the most well-known types of knee injuries:
knee pain after exercising, especially stretching . And for many people, their knees hurt when walking up stairs, getting up from the couch, trying to sit down, etc. Such painful sensations can be either a consequence of a knee injury or a harbinger of problems with the knee joint.
All this can be corrected by performing a simple set of exercises that will help stabilize the knee joint and strengthen the muscles around it. These exercises can be performed both to prevent knee pain and as rehabilitation after injuries. In the second case, before starting classes, it is still advisable to consult a doctor (each person is unique, I cannot describe the possibilities of physical activity for any knee injury).
I would also recommend this set of exercises to all people involved in sports , because whatever one may say, physical activity does not leave its mark on the knee joints.
Exercises for knee pain
1. Stand straight, feet hip-width apart, squat slightly, leaning straight back forward, and place your hands on your hips. The feet should be parallel to each other, the knees should not protrude beyond the feet. Slowly lift your heels off the floor while remaining on your toes, then just as slowly bring your heels back down. Repeat 16 times.
2. The starting position is the same as in exercise 1, but the legs are spread wider than the shoulders. Smoothly shift your body weight onto one leg (mini-lunge to the side), return to the middle, then switch to the other side. Make sure that your knees do not protrude beyond your feet, and do not lift your heels off the floor. Repeat 8 times in each direction.
3. Stand straight, feet shoulder-width apart, pull one knee as close as possible to your chest. Don't slouch or lean forward. Hold for 8 seconds, then switch legs. You can hold on to a chair or wall with your hand to avoid falling (if coordination is poor). Repeat 2-3 times on each leg.
4. Stand straight, clasp your hands behind your back, lift one leg bent at the knee. Straighten your raised leg, pull your toes towards you (flex position), bend your knee again. Don't pull your shoulders toward your ears or hunch. Repeat 6-8 times with each leg.
5. Stand straight with your feet together. Bend one leg at the knee and pull the foot towards the buttock, holding it with the opposite hand. Do not spread your knees or move your leg back. Hold this position for 8 seconds, then repeat with the other leg. Again, you can hold yourself to a wall or chair. Perform 2-3 approaches on each leg.
6. Stand straight, raise one arm up, fix the center of your body and lean forward, lifting the leg opposite to your arm. The leg and arm should be in one line. The angle between the supporting leg and the body should be as straight as possible. Stay in this “swallow” position for 8 seconds, then bend your supporting leg (knee does not protrude beyond your foot) and maintain your balance for another 8 seconds. To begin with, you can lightly hold onto the wall with your outstretched hand. Repeat 2 times on each leg.
7. Lie on your back, legs bent in front of you at 90°, toes pointed. Straighten one leg, pointing your toes toward the ceiling, bend it again, alternate legs. Number of repetitions – 8 times on each leg.
8. Exercise 7 can be performed using additional weight, which will make it even more effective. Use special weights or dumbbells tied to your leg (in this case you will need a chair).
9. Sit up straight, stretch your legs in front of you, and pull your feet towards you. Press your knees into the floor as much as possible and try to lift your heels. Stay in this position for as long as your knees allow (but no longer than 30 seconds), relax. Repeat 3 times.
10. While standing, bring your knees together and squat slightly with your back straight. Hands rest slightly above knees, knees do not protrude beyond toes. Perform circular movements with your knees, first in one direction, then in the other direction. 8 reps on each side.
11. Repeat exercise 10 from the “feet hip-width apart” position.
12. Squats. Stand straight, legs hip-width apart, feet parallel, squat down to a right angle at the knees. Keep your knees straight and pointing straight ahead; don't bend your back. Repeat until you can perform the exercise efficiently, gradually increasing the load.
13. Squats again. Rise up onto your toes and bring your heels together. Squat down as far as is comfortable, keeping your knees out to the sides, then push up. For balance, you can hold on to a chair or wall. Repeat 8 times.
Do these exercises for your knees 3-4 times a week and pretty soon you will notice that your knees begin to hurt much less, if not stop completely. It is not necessary to perform a whole complex; choose 8 exercises, alternating them periodically.
In addition to strengthening the knee joints and the muscles around them, these exercises will help remove excess fat from the knees , making them slim and beautiful.
With the arrival of winter and the onset of cold weather, many inflammatory and chronic diseases make themselves known.
Very often, joints begin to ache from the cold, and this can be noted both in winter and in autumn.
Thus, we can note a certain pattern and dependence of the condition of the joints on the weather and temperature. In other words, there is a direct connection between pain in the joints and their general condition and weather dependence.
In the cold, problems of the musculoskeletal system always worsen, and pain in the joints does not have to be sharp and sharp, as a rule, it is a nagging or aching pain.
In principle, cold can be for joints not only a catalyst for pain in an already present disease, but also provoke the onset of inflammatory processes.
Most often, joints that are susceptible to certain diseases of the musculoskeletal system react to cold and begin to ache.
However, first, let’s look at the statistics, which claim that in the cold, the vast majority of people over 60 years old complain of joint pain.
In this case, the main diseases that manifest themselves as pain during the cold season are arthrosis and arthritis.
On the other hand, it is difficult not to note that arthrosis and arthritis continue to rapidly “get younger”, and every year there are more and more patients at a young age who begin to complain of pain in the joints during the cold.
It is worth saying that cold, dank weather, dampness - all the companions of late autumn and winter, have a negative effect on the spine.
In addition to the fact that the patient experiences pain and discomfort, many of the present diseases of the musculoskeletal system enter the exacerbation phase.
The most common disease of the musculoskeletal system is osteoarthritis. According to statistics, this disease is registered in 80% of elderly patients.
The problem with osteoarthritis for patients is that it is difficult to diagnose. The disease can occur for a long time with virtually no symptoms.
And when a diagnosis is made and the disease is detected, it is often too late, the disease enters a severe and irreversible phase, in which it is no longer possible to stop the process of destruction of cartilage and joint tissue. This development of events entails the patient's disability.
The risk factors here are:
In addition to the main risk factors, it can be noted that osteoarthritis can develop against the background of other diseases. Most often this happens if the patient simultaneously has gouty arthritis or diabetes mellitus.
An infection can trigger the disease, especially if it is not treated and becomes chronic.
Often the prerequisites for the development of osteoarthritis are joint injuries. It’s not just that joints that have been injured always react sensitively to cold and changes in dampness.
An excellent illustration of the development of pain in the joints during cold weather is the knee and hip joints.
Gonarthrosis develops in the knee, and with the onset of the cold season, patients often complain of the onset of constant and aching pain in the knee.
Moreover, knees hurt not only after walking and other physical activity, but also at rest. It’s enough just to get a little cold in your knees, and a nagging and dull pain appears.
As for coxarthrosis, in this case pain appears in the cold and damp weather in the hip joint area.
There is still no completely effective way to eliminate or cure osteoarthritis, but this does not mean that the situation in which the joints hurt will be permanent.
There are a number of drugs and treatment tactics that relieve pain and partially restore damaged tissue and cartilage.
Radical treatment is endoprosthetics, which involves complete replacement of the joint, but this operation is used as a last resort.
As for pain relief, when cold sets in, you can use a large arsenal of painkillers. Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory ointments and tablets are also included here.
You can use chondroprotectors for coxarthrosis, in severe cases of pain in the knee, a blockade is used, an intra-articular injection is given.
Naturally, much attention will have to be paid to prevention, and the sooner you start doing this, the better.
Sometimes knee pain occurs solely when the joint is bent. One of the reasons why the knee hurts when bending may be bursitis.
The knee is a hinge that can bend and extend. Sometimes the work of this hinge is disrupted, and we begin to feel stiffness and pain. Knee pain can have many causes, and the pain itself can be acute or chronic.
Some of the most common causes of knee pain are arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a slowly progressive degenerative disease in which articular cartilage gradually wears away. This disease is the most common form of knee arthritis. The likelihood that arthrosis will settle in your knee depends on many things: from excessive physical activity, or, conversely, from the fact that you spend too much time in a sitting position, as well as weather changes.
Another cause of knee pain can be a torn meniscus. The knee joint is made up of three bones: the femur, the kneecap, and the tibia (tibia). In between these bones are pieces of cartilage called menisci. They help absorb shock loads. Similar to a torn ligament, the meniscus can also tear when the knee is subjected to too much impact or rotated at too wide an angle.
Knee pain can also be caused by tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon tissue. The patellar tendon runs from the tibia to the patella in a triangular shape. Jumping frequently, being overweight, muscle imbalances, or overexertion of the leg muscles can all cause minor patellar tendon tears. As soon as there are too many of these tears, inflammation begins in the tendon, which leads to patellar tendinitis.
Pain that occurs just below the knee can be caused by anatomical weakness, daily activities, or stress, the amount of stress placed on the knee joints depending on the individual's fitness level.
The area of the leg just below the knee includes tendons, ligaments and bones. Since there are not many stabilizing structures in this area and relatively little subcutaneous fat, the tissues located there can be easily damaged. Directly below the kneecap are the knee tendons and ligaments, which are attached to the bases of two bones, the tibia and fibula. Shock absorption is provided by a small amount of cartilage tissue, including the meniscus, which is located both inside the knee and slightly below it. There are also blood vessels and nerves. So, in other words, there are a lot of anatomical parts in this area that can easily be damaged, causing pain behind the knee.
Pain under the knee can also occur due to direct stress or twisting. By direct stress we mean, for example, injuries from impacts and collisions, for example during team sports, football or basketball. Such impacts can cause bruises or cracks in both tissue and bone. Moreover, the size of the damage can vary from the smallest cracks, the size of a hair, to complete rupture of tissue or broken bones.
Finally, another obvious cause of knee pain can be age and wear and tear. Over time, the bones, ligaments and cartilage of the leg lose strength, pain can become chronic, and injuries take longer to heal. Arthritis, diabetes, and nerve degeneration can lead to daily pain under the knee. This is why practicing preventative measures is important - regular exercise, proper nutrition and adequate sleep. According to most doctors, daily running and cycling increases muscle tone in the lower leg, strengthens bones and improves blood circulation. And having enough protein and fatty acids in your diet, which have an anti-inflammatory effect (all this beauty is found in fish, walnuts and olive oil), minimizes possible muscle damage.
Treatment for knee pain, oddly enough, must begin with changing your habits. For example, getting rid of excess weight. Excess weight adds pressure to the knee joints. In addition, if you have pain in one knee, and the pain causes you to limp or change your gait in some way, damage may begin in the other knee, and then you will need to think about comprehensive treatment for knee pain. Studies conducted in the USA several years ago showed that for every kilogram of weight that a person with bad knees lost, there was an eightfold (!) reduction in pain. (How the Americans managed to express painful sensations quantitatively remains a mystery, but still). The easiest way to lose weight is race walking. On the other hand, treating knee pain with walking may not be very comfortable, because the load on the knee remains and the knees hurt. But then you can practice walking in water, where the effect of gravity is not felt so strongly.
Not everyone can just start exercising the next day and make adjustments to their diet in order to lose excess weight. Treatment for knee pain can begin with an intermediate measure - wearing a knee brace, which can relieve pressure on the knee and reduce pain. A doctor will help you choose such a device; it is better not to purchase such products without his consultation. The idea of wearing a knee brace is to keep the knee joint stable. However, it should be remembered that constantly wearing a brace does not effectively treat knee pain, as it provokes muscle weakness.
Sometimes knee pain occurs solely when the joint is bent. One of the reasons why the knee hurts when bending may be bursitis. Joints contain small, fluid-filled sacs that act as buffers between the bones and tendons. They are called bursae. With bursitis they become inflamed. Not only can it cause pain and stiffness in the knee, but it can also cause swelling, redness and warmth in the knee.
Another reason why the knee may hurt when bending is gout. This is a form of arthritis that usually starts in the big toe and then spreads to other joints, including the knees. The occurrence of gout is associated with the action of uric acid. It is a byproduct of purines found in various foods and drinks, such as organ meats, mushrooms, scallops and alcohol. The purines contained in these products form so-called urates in the body - crystals of uric acid salts, which then migrate upward to the joints, causing pain in the knee when bending.