Knee Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, & Treatment

About Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common discomfort among adults and is most often associated with general wear and tear from daily life activities like walking, lifting, standing and bending. Athletes who play sports involving quick pivoting or jumping are more likely to experience knee pain and problems associated with knee joint ligaments.

The knee is the biggest joint in the body and supports body weight and function and is also one of the most commonly injured joints. Knee pain can be a short-term problem or a long term (chronic) issue that needs to be diagnosed and treated effectively. The knee joint ligaments connect the thigh to the lower leg and it's where the thigh bone (femur) meets the shin bone (tibia).

Where you feel knee pain depends on the part of the joint that is damaged. You might experience knee pain:

1. Close to the surface or behind the knee: It is usually due to an issue with the ligaments, tendons and muscles.

2. Deep inside the knee: Pain that arises from the cartilage or the bone.

3. In multiple parts of the knee: At times, knee pain can radiate to other areas around the knee such as the thigh or the lower leg.

Note: Knee pain can also come and go. One might feel pain while moving and bending which usually gets better with rest. Knee pain can usually be treated with home care; by taking a break from physical activities and pain relievers as prescribed by a doctor.

Knee Pain Treatment & Care

A knee pain treatment plan will depend on the injury. Mild to moderate knee pain issues often get better on its own. Some steps to take for adequate knee pain care and a speedy healing are:

• Take some days off from intensive activity.

• Ice the knee area for 15 to 20 minutes, every three to four hours to curb swelling and pain.

• Compress the knee area with an elastic bandage, sleeves or straps to wrap the joint.

• Elevate the knee area with a pillow under the heel at the time of sitting or sleeping.

• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen and ibuprofen to help with swelling and pain.

Knee Pain Recovery Time

The recovery time for knee pain depends on the injury. Also, some people naturally heal faster as compared to others. Make sure to not rush back to your regular level of physical activity until you observe the following signs:

• You feel no pain in the knee when you straighten or bend it

• You feel no pain in the knee when you jump, sprint, jog or walk

Knee Pain Reasons and Causes

There can be several different knee pain reasons and causes. Being overweight puts an individual at a greater risk of pain in the knee joint ligaments. 

Overuse of the knee joint ligaments can trigger knee problems that can further cause pain. A family history of arthritis is also one of the most common knee pain causes.

Here are a few of the most common knee pain causes:

Medical Conditions

• Different kinds of inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis- including gout, lupus, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis

• Baker cyst- A fluid-filled inflammation behind the knee that may occur due to other causes such as arthritis

• Infection in the knee joint or the bones around the knee

• Osgood-Schlatter disease

Overuse and Injuries

• Sprain or strain: Minor ligament injuries caused by an unnatural or sudden twisting

• Torn ligament: A medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury may cause swelling or bleeding into the knee or an unstable knee

• Torn cartilage: Also known as a meniscus tear, this is characterised by pain felt on the inside or outside of the knee joint

• Fracture or dislocation of the kneecap

• Patellofemoral syndrome: Pain in the front area of the knee around the kneecap

• Iliotibial band syndrome: Injury caused to the thick band running from the hip to the outside of the knee

• Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendon due to deconditioned tissue or overuse

• Bursitis: Inflammation due to repeated pressure on the knee due to an injury, overuse or kneeling for a long time

Symptoms

The severity and location of knee pain may vary depending on the knee pain reasons and causes. Symptoms that can accompany knee pain include:

• Stiffness and swelling

• Instability or weakness

• Crunching or popping noises

• Inability to fully straighten the knee

How are Knee Problems Diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, other tests for knee problems include:

1. X-ray: An X-ray uses electromagnetic energy to make images of internal tissues, organs and bones on film.

2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This test uses radio frequencies to make detailed images of structures within the body. It can also often determine a damage or disease in a surrounding muscle or ligament.

3. Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan): A CT scan uses X-rays to make horizontal and axial images of the body. It shows detailed images of any part of the body, including organs, muscles and bones. CT scans are also more detailed than X-rays.

4. Arthroscopy: Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to examine joint conditions. It helps examine arthritic and degenerative changes, identify bone diseases, and determine the cause of knee pain and inflammation.

Knee Pain Risk Factors

Several risk factors can increase the risk of knee pain including:

1. Excess weight: Being obese or overweight increases the stress on the knee joint ligaments, even during everyday activities such as walking or climbing stairs.

2. Lack of strength and muscle activity: Insufficient muscle activity increases the risk of knee injuries. Strong muscles help protect and stabilise the joints, while muscle flexibility helps achieve a full range of motion.

3. Certain sports and occupations: Some sports place more stress on the knees than others. Sports like basketball, with its pivots and jumps, along with the repetitive impact of running or jogging, can increase the risk of knee pain.

4. Previous injury: A previous knee injury makes it more likely that an individual will injure their knee again or experience knee pain.

Prevention of Knee Pain

Although it is not possible to prevent all injuries, one can take preventive measures to make them less likely.

• Stop exercising if you experience pain in the knee joint

• If you’re planning to intensify your workout routine, do it gradually

• Wear knee pads to prevent bursitis, especially if you need to kneel a lot

• Warm-up and choose low-impact exercises that do not require jumping

• Opt for shoes that fit well and provide the right support

• If you have obesity, consult a doctor about the right measures to obtain a healthy weight, to prevent excessive stress on all the joints, including the knees

Key Takeaways

Knee pain can result from an injury or a variety of medical conditions. 

Relief from knee pain starts by identifying the causes and following it with the right treatment plan. 

Not all knee pain cases are serious. However, some knee injuries and medical conditions such as osteoarthritis can lead to joint damage, increasing knee pain and disability if left untreated.

When to See a Doctor

A majority of people feel that knee pain is a part of ageing and an unavoidable side effect of daily life activities. Do not ignore the pain and see a doctor if the knee pain persists after two weeks of home care and treatment or if it is accompanied with a swollen or painful knee.

FAQs

1. What are some easy ways to relieve knee pain?

The RICE method can help with knee pain. It stands for:

• Rest: Identify and stop the physical activity that caused the knee pain to avoid worsening the injury.

• Ice: Cold compress the knee area or apply an ice pack for about 15 to 20 minutes every hour for the first day after the injury and after a day, apply ice every three to four hours. Remember not to apply ice directly to the skin (wrap the ice in a washcloth or towel).

• Compression: Keep the knee wrapped with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling.

• Elevation: Keep the knee elevated above the heart. You can do so using pillows and cushions.

2. What are the possible knee pain reasons without an injury?

The potential causes of knee pain without an injury can be overuse, past injury, arthritis, bursitis, infection, knee tendinitis, being obese, cancer, Baker’s cyst or Osgood-Schlatter disease.

3. What are the common causes of knee pain?

Three common causes of knee pain are:

1. Strained or sprained knee ligaments and muscles

2. Arthritis

3. Torn cartilage

4. Is it better to walk or rest when experiencing knee pain?

If you’re suffering from a minor knee injury or arthritis, make sure to observe and treat pain flare-ups. Follow the RICE procedure to calm knee pain. If the knee pain persists, consult a doctor and seek care at the best knee pain treatment hospital in Gurgaon.

Article By Dr. Ramkinkar Jha 
Chief and Unit Head - Orthopaedics (Unit III)
Artemis Hospitals