Pain can occur for many reasons, but there are always ways to mitigate it.
Fortunately, there are different ways to relieve it, but for this it is essential to know the causes and symptoms. If they are unknown, it may be that some of the measures to mitigate the pain are counterproductive, although there are remedies that always work well for any of the cases.
- Related article: ” Knee joint (anatomy): tendons, muscles and ligaments “
What is knee pain?
Knee pain causes more or less intense discomfort in this part of the body . The reasons can be very varied, but in any case the sensory perception is unpleasant due to the stimulation of the different nerve endings.
Trauma, tissue degeneration, muscle weakness and joint instability can lead to different problems that lead to knee pain. In some cases it is better to limit movement or provide stability with a bandage on specific occasions, but it is not always recommended.
In general, there are always ways to relieve knee pain, but it must be understood that conditions that are neurodegenerative may not have a cure. In more severe cases with little recovery, surgery may have to be considered.
Causes
The causes that cause knee pain can be very varied . The young population is used to suffering acute knee pain caused by trauma. These can lead to bruises, sprains or injuries to the meniscus and ligaments.
On the other hand, in older people the causes are usually linked to degenerative processes. Being overweight or stress caused by different sports or professional activities are some of the reasons that cause tissue wear, which manifests itself after many years.
Below are the main conditions that are related to knee pain.
- It might interest you: ” The 50 main branches of medicine (and their fields of study)
1. Chondromalacia
In chondromalacia there is a softening of the articular cartilage of the patella , and it normally affects the young adult population. In this type of injury, knee pain appears due to friction, either due to misalignment, overload, muscle weakness or injury.
2. Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a disease that develops over time . Joint tissues, especially cartilage, lose density, elasticity and hydration. This causes the structures that allow the movement of the joint to present a deterioration and lower the mechanical efficiency, producing friction and consequently pain in the knee.
3. Pathology of the meniscus
The menisci are cartilaginous structures that cushion and distribute loads in the knee . They guarantee the good mechanics of the joint, but these tissues can suffer traumatic or degenerative injuries. This can lead to inflammation and more or less extensive damage that results in knee pain.
4. Ligament injury
Ligament injuries can also occur in the knee , which have the main function of stabilizing the knee. When there is a problem due to trauma or other causes, the tension that the knee has to support can lead to injuries that lead to pain in the joint.
5. Tendinitis
Patellar tendinitis is a condition that can cause a lot of knee pain . The patella bone is connected to the tibia through this tendon, and already force generated by the quadriceps and other muscles is transferred through it. It is therefore essential for the movement of bending the leg, but when inflamed it causes pain.
- Related article: ” Tendinitis: causes, symptoms and treatment “
6. Other causes
The above are some of the main causes that can cause knee pain, but there are more . Diseases and deformities such as achondroplasia, bunions or Paget’s disease can also cause structural problems that cause pain, as well as other conditions such as osteoporosis, bursitis and synovitis.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the type of injury sustained . For example, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and other conditions that cause inflammation can lead to swelling, redness, and warmth in the knee.
These pains occur in other degenerative processes, but can also be caused by trauma. For example, the meniscus can be torn from this, and the pain can be severe if the knee is kept straight (although sometimes the pain can be mild).
In chondromalacia, on the other hand, the most frequent symptom is a dull ache. This is felt around the kneecap, and it gets worse when going down stairs or walking downhill. Many runners, cyclists and soccer players can suffer from this disorder.
Therefore, the way in which the symptoms manifest depends on the type of injury, since the causes, as has been seen, can be multiple. However, it can be concluded that, despite everything, whatever the cause, the pain is shared in all cases.
- Other users have read: “ The 15 medicinal plants with the most properties and benefits ”
6 ways to relieve knee pain
Treatment to relieve knee pain can be highly variable . However, there are a number of ways to improve it that can be highly recommended depending on the case.
Below are different solutions that respond when it comes to mitigating the symptoms. Of course, you must first consult a specialist doctor if it is appropriate to apply these remedies for the condition in question.
1. Hot and cold
Cold and heat are great allies to combat knee pain . For those conditions in which there is heating of the area and inflammation, applying ice for ten minutes is enough to combat these problems. On the other hand, there are injuries in which applying heat can give a lot of comfort.
2. Rest
It may seem obvious, but not everyone takes it into account . Giving rest to the affected tissues can be very important for their recovery, and sometimes we do not give the body time to heal itself. You have to know the type of injury you have to understand how it should be done.
3. Eat antioxidant foods
Food is very important for the health of the body . Although it may surprise many people, consuming foods rich in antioxidants can reduce the pain of certain conditions. The reason is that they fight internal tissue inflammation, which causes pressure and pain.
4. Do physical activity
Exercising is essential, and there are always activities that everyone can do . Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle is important for health, and those with severe injuries also have options. One of the most recommended physical activities in these cases is Tai Chi, since the knees do not support high tensions in any of their positions.
5. Lose weight
Losing weight is one of the best aids to combat different problems of this joint . The knees of people who are overweight or obese must withstand higher stresses, which can lead to further tissue degeneration.
6. Sleep with a cushion
A cushion can be very helpful for someone with certain knee conditions . Putting a cushion between your knees when lying on your side allows your knees to rest better without coming into contact with each other.
Bibliographic references
- Flandry, F., Hommel G. (2011). Normal anatomy and biomechanics of the knee. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev., 19(2), 82-92 .
- Morgado, I., Pérez, AC, Moguel, M., Pérez-Bustamante, FJ, and Torres, LM (2005). Clinical management guide for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. Rev. Soc. Esp. Pain, 12, 289-302 .
- Zapata, C. (2008). Pain syndromes in lower extremities. Rehabilitation in health (Second edition). Antioquia (Colombia): Editorial University of Antioquia. Antioch.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.