This page will help answer your questions about knee pain.
What Is Knee Pain?
Knee pain is a common complaint among adults, especially older individuals. It is often associated with daily activities such as walking, bending, standing, and lifting.
Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain can result from various activities and conditions, including:
Repetitive activities:
- Runner’s knee.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease (tibial tuberosity inflammation).
- Tendonitis
Injuries:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or collateral ligament injuries.
- Bursitis
- Meniscus tears.
- Patellar (kneecap) dislocation.
Joint inflammation:
- Osteoarthritis
- Septic arthritis (caused by infections or contaminated wounds in the knee).
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoporosis
How Is Knee Pain Managed? Tips to Help Prevent Knee Pain
Management depends on the cause of the pain:
Mild knee injuries:
- Rest
- Apply ice to the injured area.
- Topical or oral pain relievers.
- Surgical debridement and washout.
Joint inflammation:
- Weight loss to reduce pressure on the knee.
- Physical therapy and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee.
- Topical or oral pain relievers.
- Surgery may be required in some cases, such as joint inflammation tears or severe osteoarthritis.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You should see a doctor if you experience:
- Severe knee pain after an injury.
- Swelling or inability to fully extend the knee.
- You develop a fever, especially after a knee injury.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can knee pain be relieved at home?
Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend home care to relieve knee pain, which may include:
- Applying heat or cold packs.
- Modifying activities to avoid causing pain.
- Stretching exercises or light exercises.
- Taking pain relievers.
- Topical treatments such as muscle creams.
- Wearing a knee brace for support.
I hear excessive cracking in my knee while walking. Is this normal?
No, this may indicate joint degeneration or osteoarthritis.
