Article: Knee Pain
What is knee pain?
Everyone may suffer from knee pain at some stage in their lives. You can feel knee pain in the back or front of the knee, in the muscles, joints or bones. This is because the knee is a complex structure and carries the majority of body weight whenever we move around.
Knee pain can be caused by many factors, including body structure, activity and age. There are also diseases such as osteoarthritis that cause chronic knee pain. Treatments vary depending upon the cause of the pain. Some can be treated by simply changing your footwear while others require physical therapy, nutritional supplements or medication.
What is the cause of knee pain?
Since the knee bears the brunt of the entire body weight while you are moving, it is vulnerable to both acute injuries and osteoarthritis.
Knee pain can be caused by physical activity, particular playing sports in which you stop, turn or twist your legs suddenly. Cartilage and muscles help the knee move but they can wear down and cause pain. Ligaments can be overstretched or torn. In severe cases, the knee cap could be dislocated.
Arthritis is another common cause of knee pain in people over the age of 50 or people who are overweight or have a genetic predisposition. As the cartilage, the thick gel-like substance that cushions the knee joints, wears away, severe pain in the knee bones can be felt.
This pain can make simple acts like standing and walking extremely painful. Other symptoms associated with arthritis include pain when doing simple physical activities, having limited motion in your knees and feeling tenderness and swelling around your knee.
What are the treatments for knee pain?
Knee pain treatment depends entirely upon the cause of the knee pain.
Knee pain associated with physical activity and sport can be treated over a few months. Physical therapy or stretching can help strengthen the muscles around the knee cap without surgery. Good footwear that supports the natural arches of your feet can also help your knee pain.
For some acute injuries, an ice pack can help minimise swelling. You can also use a heat treatment to help relax the muscles and stimulate blood circulation. Heat packs should not be used before physical activity and you must be careful to guard against burns. Stretching can also help strengthen the muscles around the knee cap as a further precaution against future knee pain.
There is no cure for arthritis, but there are some remedies that can help ease symptoms. Obesity can exacerbate arthritis. If this is the case, your knee pain might ease with weight loss. Following a diet that is high in antioxidants, ginger, glucosamine, selenium and vitamins B9 and D can improve your condition.
For chronic and intense arthritic pain, the most common medications are called NSAIDS which target inflammation and pain.
You should consult a doctor if you have been experiencing knee pain for longer than a few days. You should always know the cause of the pain before undergoing any form of treatment