Knee Pain

Overview of Knee Pain

Knee Pain Meaning in Urdu

گھٹنوں کا درد ایک عام طبی مسئلہ ہے جو کہ کسی بھی عمر کے افراد کو متاثر کر سکتا ہے۔ گھٹنے کے درد کی بنیادی علامات میں سوزش، اکڑن، اور گھٹنوں کی کمزوری شامل ہے۔ اس درد کی کئی وجوہات ہو سکتی ہیں۔ گٹھیا، آرتھرائٹس، اور انفیکشنز کو عام وجوہات میں شمار کیا جاتا ہے۔ گھٹنوں کے درد سے چھٹکارا پانے کے لیے کچھ احتیاطی تدابیر اختیار کی جاتی ہیں جو کہ نہایت مؤثر ثابت ہوتی ہیں۔ تاہم اگر درد شدید یا دائمی ہو تو اس سے نجات حاصل کرنے کے لیے سرجری کی ضرورت بھی پڑ سکتی ہے۔

Knee pain(جوڑوں کا درد) is one of the most common bone or joint-related complaints that equally affects all age groups. It can be due to any injury such as a ruptured ligament or a tear in the cartilage. Several medical conditions such as arthritis, gout, or infection can also lead to severe cases of knee pain.

Most of the time, minor cases of knee pain can be resolved properly through self-care. In other cases, the person can also get benefitted from physical therapy as well as knee braces so that the sensation of pain can be minimized. If the case of knee pain is due to a severe injury then you might have to undergo a surgical procedure.

Signs and Symptoms of Knee Pain

Knee pain symptoms may vary depending on the origin of the problems. Some of the common signs and symptoms are as follows:

  • Stiffness and swelling
  • Crunching noises in the knee joints 
  • Not able to fully straighten the knee 
  • Fatigue or tiredness
  • Instability 
  • Redness and warmth towards touch 

Types of Knee Pain

Knee pain can be divided into three main categories:

  1. Acute Injury 

Broken bones, torn ligament, or a meniscal tear 

  1. Medical Conditions 

Certain medical conditions such as types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis as well as infections.

  1. Chronic Use 

Overuse of the knee joints such as osteoarthritis, IT band syndrome, or tendinitis.

Causes of Knee Pain

Physical activity is the best possible measure to keep your joints and bones stable. But injuries can cause serious medical emergencies such as knee pain or sprained ankles. Given below are some of the reasons for knee pain. 

  1. Bursitis 

Bursa is a sac that is known to hold small amounts of fluids that are present just under the skin and above the joint. This is important because it does not allow friction when you move your joints. But overuse falls and repeated bending of the knee can cause wear and tear of the bursa that is present above your knee cap. This leads to episodes of severe pain. The doctors call it the “Preacher’s knee”.

  1. Dislocated Kneecap  

This is a situation in which the kneecap slides out of its position. This leads to knee pain as well as swelling. 

  1. IT Band Syndrome 

It is a tough tissue that is present from the hip to the outer part of the knee. In case of misuse as well as overuse, it can get inflamed. This inflammation causes severe pain on the outside of the knee. This situation is common in athletes who run downhill. 

  1. Osteoarthritis 

This is the top cause of knee pain after the age of  50. Osteoarthritis is a condition that leads to knee swelling and aches even when the person is active. 

  1. Patellar Tendinitis 

Patellar tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendons that connect the kneecap with the shinbone. Tendons are tough tissue bands that are used to connect a bone with a joint. With the passage of time, these tendons become sore. As repetitive jumping is the most common cause this condition is known as “jumper’s knee”. 

  1. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome 

It is an umbrella term that is used for a number of conditions such as muscle imbalance, stiffness, and alignment. All this leads to knee pain. This condition is more common in women than in men.

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Risk Factors of Knee Pain

Given below are some of the risk factors of knee pain that you need to know:

  1. Overweight

If you are overweight your knees have to do a lot of work even in the case of everyday ordinary activities. Obesity also increases the chances of osteoarthritis of a person because it increases the wear and tear on the tendons as well as cartilage. 

  1. Sports and Certain Types of Occupations

 There are some sports that put a strain on your muscles more than others. Basketball players and football players are at a greater risk of knee injuries. Certain types of jobs such as farming and construction also increase the risk of knee pain. 

  1. Medical History 

Previous injuries are also likely to make a person susceptible to knee pain. 

  1. Lack Of Muscle Strength 

A sudden or progressive loss of muscle strength can increase the chances of knee pain. Flexible muscles allow the person to use them to their full capacity. 

Knee Pain Complications

 

Knee pain often goes away without ever evaluating the specific cause or underlying issue. But if the condition is severe it can give rise to serious medical emergencies. In the worst-case scenario, the person may suffer from difficulty in walking to the inability of walking. Thus on-time diagnosis followed by the right treatment is inevitable.

 

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Prevention

Given below are some steps that you can take to prevent knee pain to some extent:

  • Do not exercise if you have pain in your knee.
  • Make sure to stretch your legs properly before and after physical activity.
  • If you have to kneel a lot, remember to use kneepads. 
  • Strengthen your thigh muscles with proper stretching. 
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Wear comfortable shoes.
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Diagnosis

The diagnostic process of knee pain involves the following steps:

Physical Examination  

The doctor primarily starts with the examination of the knee and then evaluates the extent of the injury or some other trigger. The doctor may also ask the patient questions about previous his or her previous medical history such as any risk factor or injury that can be involved. 

Radiological Tests  

X-rays are the most common means to analyze the fractures or degenerative changes that are happening to the knee. Another test that is quite popular for the evaluation of knee injuries is MRI. This test is used to assess any possible cartilage tear and subsequent muscle injuries. 

Blood Tests 

If the doctor is suspecting, gout or any type of arthritis he or she might recommend a blood test.  

Removal Of Joint Fluid 

Some conditions are better diagnosed by the removal of a small amount of fluid from the knee joint. With the help of small needle placement, the fluid is withdrawn. The fluid is then sent to a lab to assess it better. In case of a gout suspicion, this is the most appropriate diagnostic method. 

Treatment of Knee Pain | When to Consult a Doctor

Following are the certain treatment methodologies used for knee pain:

Medications

Some doctors may prescribe medicines so that the underlying cause of the pain can be handled. But always remember to take your primary physical healthcare specialist recommendation into consideration before taking any sort of pain reliever or over-the-counter medicines. 

Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy is an excellent way of strengthening muscles. It is also a great means to stabilize the knee muscles. Hiring or working with physical therapists can not only help in the prevention of injuries but is also important for using the muscles to their full potential.

Injections 

In certain conditions injecting medicines directly into the kneecap. Corticosteroids and lubricants are two of the most common medicinal injections in this regard. Corticosteroids can help in the treatment of osteoarthritis as well as knee inflammation. Lubricants on the other hand are injections that have fluid that is similar to the one present in your knee joint. These injections can help the knee joint in full movement.

Note:  (Consult your doctor before taking any medications)

Surgery

The surgical operation for knee pain range from arthroscopic knee surgery to total knee replacement. In arthroscopic knee surgery, the doctor is able to look inside your knee with the help of several small holes and a fiberoptic camera. This aids in the treatment as the surgeon can repair the injury and remove the loose bones. 

Partial Knee Replacement  

In this method of treatment, the surgeon removes the damaged part of the knee and replaces it with synthetic parts. The recovery span of this is quite early than full knee replacement surgery.

Total Knee Replacement 

This procedure involves knee replacement with an artificial joint.

Acupuncture 

It is also a popular treatment method that can relieve the patient from the painful sensations of knee pain.