What Is Knee Pain?
Knee pain often results from the gradual wear and tear that comes with aging or from injuries that put strain on the knee joint. Everyday activities like walking, standing, squatting, or even lifting can cause stress and contribute to joint damage. People who regularly run, jump, or play sports involving rapid movements are also more prone to knee pain.
What Conditions Might Be Causing My Knee Pain?
Several conditions may contribute to knee pain, including:
- Damaged Ligaments or Muscles: Knee injuries often involve sprains or strains, particularly of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or MCL (medial collateral ligament), typically caused by sudden movements or a blow to the knee. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and difficulty walking.
- Torn Cartilage: The meniscus, a cartilage pad in the knee joint, can tear due to trauma. Meniscus tears often occur alongside ligament injuries and can impact joint stability.
- Tendonitis: This is the inflammation of the tendons due to overuse, such as in the case of jumper’s knee, which commonly affects athletes involved in jumping sports like basketball.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis, usually developing in middle age from years of wear on the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, can also cause inflammation and damage to knee cartilage.
What Treatment Might I Need for Knee Pain?
For most patients, knee pain improves with physical therapy, pain-relieving medications, and lifestyle changes like weight loss. In some cases, wearing a brace or using assistive devices, such as a cane or walker, can help reduce pressure on the knee during recovery.
However, if your pain doesn’t improve or if you have a degenerative condition like arthritis, further treatment options may be needed. These include:
- Steroid Injections: To reduce inflammation and pain.
- Nerve Blocks: To block pain signals from the knee.
- Hyaluronic Acid Injections: To lubricate the knee joint and relieve pain.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Uses your own blood platelets to promote healing in the knee tissues.
- Prolotherapy: An injection treatment aimed at stimulating tissue repair.
- Genicular Radiofrequency Ablation: A minimally invasive procedure to reduce pain by targeting nerves around the knee.
With the right combination of treatments, many patients can avoid or delay the need for more invasive procedures, such as knee replacement surgery.