The knee is one of the most hard-working joints in your body. It takes your weight, allows for freedom of movement, and is constantly engaged when we are awake. Your knee is likely to be bent if you are sitting, walking, running, or doing any other activity other than lying down. Common causes of your knee pain can include inflammation, arthritis, or injury. Join us as we explore all three of these and some easy ways to find relief.
Arthritis And Other Degenerative Conditions
Arthritis inflammation in the knee is a potentially life-altering condition that causes pain and reduces mobility. Osteoarthritis in one or both knees is the most commonly diagnosed condition that causes knee pain. Common causes of knee pain include age, stress, genetic issues, and possible injury. If you believe that you may have osteoarthritis, you can look out for some of the following symptoms:
- Mild pain and stiffness that seems to come from nowhere. This is the second stage of arthritis pain and feels like a stiffness that comes and goes with time. Cartilage is starting to dissipate and slowly be ground away as you live your life.
- An early diagnosis at this stage can help curb further damage.
- Moderate pain while sitting, squatting, walking, or jogging which exacerbates the mild discomfort, is probably the second set of symptoms you will notice. Here your cartilage is almost gone, and the bones of your knee are potentially touching.
- When experiencing moderate pain, it is time to see your primary care doctor or a pain management professional.
- Severe pain in the knee that only seems to get worse is the final stage of arthritis, where you will likely start to lose the ability to walk. In the final stages of arthritis, the cartilage of your knees is either entirely gone or what is left isn’t enough to provide any efficient padding.
Injury, Overuse, And Inflammation Causing Knee Pain
When you injure your knee, the most noticeable symptom is likely a sharp pain when you bend it and mild discomfort when at rest. Common injuries include falls, impacts in sports, over-stretching, and injuries while working in physical labor. Overuse is a mild type of damage that shares similar symptoms to other injuries but tends to heal on its own when you rest; however, failure to rest your knee can lead to a more severe condition. Finally, inflammation is caused by injuries, overuse, arthritis, and other knee conditions. Some of the most common symptoms of injuries and overuse include the following:
- Acute pain when bending your knee
- Popping sounds and sensations
- Inability to bend the joint
- Swelling and inflammation.
What can you do about knee injuries? Short of seeing a pain management specialist, you should always rest to take tension off your always-stressed knees. While resting, you can try icing, heating, stretching, physical therapy exercises, and taking NSAID pain relievers.
Other Causes Of Knee Pain
- Bursitis: Inflammation in the knee cartilage that often goes away on its own in a few weeks.
- Tendonitis: Swelling of the tendons, which is often caused by repetitive motion and a typical runner’s injury.
- Torn cartilage (a meniscus tear): This is a specific injury characterized by feeling pain on the inside or outside of the knee joint.
- Kneecap Dislocation
- Fracture Of The Kneecap
- Torn Ligaments
Does Your Knee Hurt When You Bend It? Seek Out The Pain Management Experts At Macomb Pain Management
Macomb Pain Management is accepting new patients. If you have pain in your knee or elsewhere, our wide range of treatments will give you relief. Call us today at (248) 844-8281 to schedule an appointment with a Board-Certified physician at our practice.
