Common causes of knee pain.
Cliff Russell is a Registered East Grinstead Osteopath with years of experience helping people with knee Pain.
Knee pain is a common condition that can affect people of all ages, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. Knee pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that can interfere with daily activities.
In this article, we will discuss the most common causes of knee pain in detail.
Knee Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the knee joint. It is characterized by the breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones, leading to bone-on-bone contact and pain. Osteoarthritis can develop due to aging, wear and tear, joint injury, and obesity. The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty in walking or climbing stairs.
Knee Ligament Injuries: The knee joint is supported by four main ligaments that can be injured due to twisting or sudden movements. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are the most commonly injured ligaments. The symptoms of knee ligament injuries include pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty in walking or standing.
Knee Meniscus Tear: The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage that cushions the knee joint, and it can be torn due to sudden twisting or turning movements. The symptoms of a meniscus tear include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty in straightening or bending the knee.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: This is a condition in which the patella (kneecap) rubs against the femur (thigh bone) instead of gliding smoothly, leading to pain and discomfort. Patellofemoral pain syndrome can be caused by overuse, muscle imbalances, or improper alignment of the patella. The symptoms include pain in the front of the knee, especially while climbing stairs or squatting.
Bursitis: Bursae are small sacs filled with fluid that cushion the knee joint. When the bursae become inflamed due to overuse or injury, it leads to bursitis. The symptoms of bursitis include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the knee joint.
Tendinitis: Tendons are the tough bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. When the tendons around the knee joint become inflamed due to overuse or injury, it leads to tendinitis. The symptoms of tendinitis include pain, swelling, and stiffness around the knee joint.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease: This is a common condition that affects children and adolescents who are involved in sports that require jumping or running. It is characterized by pain, swelling, and tenderness below the knee joint, where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone. Osgood-Schlatter disease is caused by repetitive stress on the patellar tendon, leading to inflammation and pain.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome: The iliotibial band is a thick band of tissue that runs from the hip to the knee, and it can become inflamed due to overuse or injury. The symptoms of iliotibial band syndrome include pain on the outer side of the knee joint, especially while running or climbing stairs.
Gout: Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when there is an excessive buildup of uric acid in the body, leading to the formation of crystals in the joints. The knee joint is one of the joints commonly affected by gout, leading to sudden onset of severe pain, swelling, and redness around the knee joint.
Referred pain: Sometimes pain can be referred from other joints, like the hip or even the lower back.
Come and see me with your knee pain problems at Osteostudio in Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead.
