Causes and tips for coping with chronic knee pain

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311308#takeaway

Chronic knee pain is a common problem. It can happen for a number of

reasons, and it can make it difficult to walk and function in everyday life.
The knee joint is complex, and a range of factors can lead to damage and
pain.

When the components of the knee are not working properly,

pain, inflammation, and other symptoms can occur. Problems can result
from trauma or a medical condition.

Read on to find out more about the causes of knee pain and what people can
do to relieve it.

The knee joint

Chronic knee pain can have a variety of causes, including accidents and
some health conditions.

To understand what causes knee pain, it may help to know what makes up
the knee joint.

The knee is the joint where the thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap (patella)
connect. It also involves cartilage, ligaments, menisci, and tendons.

Cartilage is a slippery substance on the ends of the bones in the knee. It

lets the bones rub or pass smoothly over one another as the leg bends and
straightens.

The menisci act as cushions between the femur and tibia that also act as
shock absorbers.

Ligaments hold the bones together and give the knee its stability. Damage
to the ligaments can result from overuse, as in sports, or from a traumatic
injury.

Tendons are the connective tissues that attach the muscles in the leg to the
bones they control.

When all these pieces work together, the knee functions as it should, and
the person can move around freely.
Causes: Trauma

Falling from a height, receiving a direct blow to the knee, making a sudden
change in direction, or making repetitive movements during sports training
are all causes of traumatic knee injuries.

These can lead to:

 dislocation of the kneecap

 a fracture of the kneecap, femur, or tibia
 torn ligament
 meniscus tear

Injuries can happen if a person:

 does not warm up before or after exercise or works too hard in an

activity
 participates in some sports, especially without using protective
equipment
 has a road traffic accident or a fall

Accidents, falls, and physical activities are common causes of traumatic knee
injury. They can put the knee under extreme strain. If the knee does not
heal properly, chronic pain can result.

Common problems include bone fractures, dislocated kneecaps, and torn

ligaments.

Causes: Medical

Knee pain can be the long-term result of an accident, or it can stem from a
medical condition, such as arthritis.

Medical conditions that lead to knee pain include the following:

 degenerative tissue disorders, such as osteoarthritis

 infections
 obesity
 auto-inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis
 tendinitis, an inflammation of a tendon, leading to pain when walking
upstairs
 bursitis, an inflammation resulting from overuse
 chondromalacia patella, or damage to the cartilage below the kneecap
  gout, a type of arthritis
 a Baker’s cyst, when fluid builds up behind the knee
 a tumor, either benign or malignant in the knee

Causes: Obesity.

Obesity and excess weight are major contributors to chronic knee pain.
Between 1971 and 2004, the incidence of knee pain rose by 65
percentTrusted Source in the United States, according to a study published
in 2011 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The researchers say this is mostly
due to a rise in obesity.

Gout

Gout is a metabolic disorder. People with gout may experience knee pain,
because gout causes uric acid crystals to build up in the joints. The result
can be painful inflammation.This can also affect how the knee moves.

Degenerative tissue disorders

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic condition of the joints. It is a

degenerative disease, caused by the “wear and tear” of the joints over time.
Common symptoms are pain and stiffness after long periods of rest. The
knees may also become swollen after extended activity.

Osteoporosis is another common disorder. The bone becomes thinner,

resulting in damage in the cartilage and connecting tissues in the knee. This
can make a fracture more likely.

Bacterial infection

Bacterial infections — such as cellulitis — can cause sudden knee pain.

Cellulitis occurs when bacteria that are normally on the surface of the skin
make their way underneath the skin’s protective surface.

Without treatment, cellulitis around the knee can cause infection in the joint,
resulting in redness, swelling, pain, and stiffness.

In time, chronic knee pain can develop.

Auto-inflammatory causes
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common connective tissue disorder
that causes knee pain.
It is an auto-inflammatory disease, in which the body’s immune system
attacks its own tissues. In the case of knee pain, RA attacks the tissues of
the knee.

Symptoms include pain, joint inflammation, fatigue, a fever, and appetite

loss.

Risk factors

Some lifestyle factors can increase the risk of knee pain.

Trauma:
Starting physical activity without stretching properly first can increase the
risk if a traumatic knee injury. People who play intense sports, such as
basketball and football, have a higher risk of traumatic injury.

Gout: Disorders like gout may be caused by lifestyle choices or genetics.

Excessive alcohol use, obesity, and dietary factors may contribute.

Degenerative disorders: These often happen with ageing, although there

are other factors. The risk of osteoporosis increases with age, specific genes,
lack of exercise, and dietary factors.

Obesity: This increases the risk of OA, especially in the large joints such as
the knees. Excess weight can put strain on the knees, resulting in pain and
inflammation.

Bacterial infections: Cellulitis can occur in a person who has a weakened

immune system, skin conditions, long-term swelling in the arms and legs,
and obesity, or if they use drugs that require needles.

Connective tissue disorders: Risk factors for RA include a family history

of RA, being over 40, smoking, and obesity. Women are also more likely to
develop RA than men.

Other possible factors for knee pain include age, overuse of the joints, and
genetic factors.

Exercising and following a healthful diet throughout life can help reduce the
risk of many of these problems.

Treatment
Depending on the cause of the problem, the doctor may recommend:
 pain relief medication or other drugs
 an exercise plan, which may include low-stress exercise
 resting the knee
 a knee support
 surgery

Pain-relief medications include anti-inflammatory drugs that will reduce the

pain and swelling.

Tips

Taking care of the body and making healthful lifestyle choices can often help
reduce the risk of chronic knee pain.

Lifestyle

Tips for reducing the risk of chronic knee pain and improving the outlook for
existing knee problems include:

 reducing alcohol intake

 quitting smoking
 maintaining a healthy weight

Obesity is a risk factor for many of the disorders that cause chronic knee
pain. Keeping body weight in check can greatly reduce the risk of chronic
knee pain.

Exercise

Exercise directly decreases the risk of many diseases, including heart

disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, obesity, and osteoporosis.
Activities that strengthen the knees can help reduce the symptoms of knee pain if OA
develops.

Low-stress exercises that may help improve or prevent knee pain include:
 swimming
 cycling
 walking

Depending on the cause of the knee pain and the health status of the individual, a
doctor can advise on what type of exercise will help, and how intense the exercise
should be.
Sleeping

Some types of pain — for example, OA — can be worse at night. Tips for getting a
better night’s sleep include:

 finding a comfortable position, possibly with a pillow between the legs

 using a long-lasting anti-inflammatory, for example, one that is effective for 12
hours
 avoiding alcohol and caffeine, as these can disrupt sleep
 maintaining good sleep hygiene, with regular times for going to bed and getting
up
 avoiding sleeping aids as people need a higher dose if they use them regularly
 doing low-impact exercise to help with both pain and sleep
 using a firm mattress, possibly with a foam pad on top to help distribute your
weight

Other symptoms

As well as knee pain, a person may also have:

 weakness of the knee and an inability to stand properly or fully lengthen out the
knee
 popping sounds as the knee flexes or straightens
 swelling and stiffness around the knee
 redness or warmth throughout the knee

These will depend on the cause.

Since many causes of knee pain can lead to the same symptoms, anyone who has
knee pain that does not go away or who has severe pain should see a doctor
.
Takeaway

Knee pain can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Anyone who is experiencing
persistent knee pain should see a doctor.

The doctor will ask about the symptoms, carry out a physical examination, and they may
also suggest imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI scan. After diagnosing the cause,
they will discuss the treatment options.

Suitable treatment may prevent a sudden or short-term knee problem from becoming
long-term, or chronic.

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