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Knee pain

knee pain

Pain in the knee joint is one of the most common unpleasant sensations that every person has experienced at least once.The progression of diseases that can cause pain is due to the fact that the human knee consists of many structures, and every day all of them are subjected to great loads.The damage may affect one of the ligaments or tendons, or specific sacs that fill with fluid, as well as cartilage tissue.This symptom can be a signal of diseases not only related to the knee, but also general diseases of the body or systems.

It is also necessary to distinguish during which movements the pain appears, for example, pain in the knee when bending is characteristic of people who lead an active lifestyle and often indicates a violation of the structure of the joints and bones.Such spasms appear mainly in the later stages of the disease, when surgical treatment is inevitable.Knees often hurt and crack during squats, this may indicate that the cartilage tissue is worn out (mainly seen in athletes due to constant running).Internal pain occurs due to various joint pathologies or the appearance of neoplasms.The appearance of pain after childbirth is due to the fact that during pregnancy the female body underwent many changes, due to which some diseases may develop.

It is important to determine why the pain in the knee joint is expressed, because some diseases can be cured only with the help of surgical intervention, and for some, the use of traditional medicine will be enough.

Etiology

As mentioned above, there are many reasons why the knees hurt, and they are not always directly related to injuries, diseases and bruises of the knee joint.The first group of factors consists of disorders that directly affect the knee joint, among which are:

  • gonarthrosis is a disorder that most often affects people over forty years old.The pathology usually affects both knees.The main symptom is pain and cramping during extension and squatting.The spasms are sharp and sharp.The intensity level decreases when you are lying down;
  • blood entering the common cavity;
  • Meniscus damage can occur at any age, regardless of gender.Often only one knee is affected.This disease is characterized by severe cracking and pain in the knee when bending or after running.In addition, the person loses the ability to move, because he experiences unbearable pain at the slightest movement of the leg;
  • arthritis - the disorder develops very quickly, the inflammatory process spreads to the knee joints of both legs.It is best to start treatment as soon as possible, since the disease spreads to other joints;
  • violation of the integrity of the ligaments due to a rupture, most often the internal ligament is susceptible to this, much less often in the lateral ligament.In this case, swelling and limitation of motor functions are observed;
  • various tendon inflammations - the occurrence of which has many causes, for example, infectious diseases or the influence of bacteria, injuries or bruises, drug allergies or abnormalities in the structure of the body.With such disorders, pain in the knee is expressed internally;
  • displacement or displacement of the knee cap - occurs very rarely and mainly in children or athletes, after intense exercise or running;
  • inflammatory process in the joint capsule.If the treatment is not done at the right time, complications may appear that will have to be treated only with medical intervention;
  • pathological processes in the synovial membrane covering the joint;
  • the appearance of a cyst on the inside of the knee joint leads to pain behind the knee;
  • destruction of the integrity of the adipose tissue covering the joint.Externally, this is manifested in the form of swelling of the damaged knee;
  • osteoarthritis, in which cartilage tissue becomes thinner;
  • various infectious diseases, the course of which can lead to arthritis.Knee pain occurs while walking, as well as after squats;
  • bone tuberculosis;
  • pathologies of the spine cause the feeling that the knee hurts when walking;
  • Metabolic disorders or salt deposits in the knee often lead to knee pain when squatting.
healthy joint and pain due to destruction of the knee joint

The second group of reasons consists of other influences that cause pain in the knee joint:

  • excessively high body weight;
  • external injuries or bruises of the knee joint;
  • working conditions that require a person to stand for several hours at a time;
  • intense physical activity - this is why this disorder is more often observed in professional athletes, for example, after running;
  • incorrect posture during work;
  • wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes.

There are several reasons why a woman's knees hurt during pregnancy:

  • increase in body weight (in some cases up to twenty kilograms);
  • lack of calcium and other minerals in the body;
  • the production of a specific hormone that softens the ligament tissue.

After giving birth, all unpleasant sensations should go away on their own, but if this does not happen, you should consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of the diseases described above.After giving birth, a woman may experience knee pain when sitting, standing and standing.This is caused by the following reasons:

  • intensive muscle work during childbirth;
  • Sudden involuntary movement during childbirth can cause dislocation;
  • if a woman had various diseases of the musculoskeletal system before childbirth;
  • During breastfeeding, fluid accumulates in the woman's body, which has a harmful effect on the joints, which is why she feels pain when she stands up and straightens her knees.

Symptoms

In addition to the pronounced signs - pain of varying intensity and cramping during squatting, this manifestation has additional symptoms characteristic of the disease that caused knee pain during walking or other leg movements:

  • sleep disorders;
  • increase in body temperature;
  • decreased or complete lack of appetite;
  • stiffness of movements;
  • increasing pain while walking.There is a noticeable improvement in the sitting or lying position;
  • visible swelling of the injured knee - can be observed from the inside;
  • inability to shift weight on the affected limb;
  • deformity of the knee cap;
  • change in the color of the skin on the knee;
  • fever.

When the first signs appear, you should immediately contact a medical institution for diagnosis and effective treatment.

Diagnosing

Since many disorders are caused by knee pain when walking, after running, when sitting and standing up, the diagnosis should consist of:

arthroscopy for knee pain
  • a detailed study of the patient regarding the appearance of the first symptoms, the intensity of the pain, the location of its occurrence (externally or internally), possible causes (for example, when walking, after running or giving birth), what causes the pain;
  • palpation of the knee by the attending physician to reveal a more complete picture of the localization of pain, as well as to identify swelling;
  • blood analysis of the patient for general and biochemical studies;
  • x-ray - in which any pathology in the structure of the knee will be clearly visible;
  • fluid collection using a burr - performed if the attending physician suspects bone tuberculosis;
  • draining fluid from the knee joint;
  • arthroscopy - performed in cases of damage to the meniscus, which causes pain in the knee from the inside.This method is performed not only for diagnosis, but also during treatment;
  • bone density measurements;
  • Ultrasound of the knee;
  • examinations of patients using MRI and CT.

Treatment

There is no way to cure all diseases and disorders.The treatment method for each patient is prescribed individually and depends on the cause and degree of intensity of spasms, if the knee hurts while walking, after running, when sitting or standing up.Treatment methods that are prescribed to all patients without exception, including postpartum women:

  • reducing the load on the lower limbs so that the smallest symptoms do not appear;
  • applying a fixation bandage to the injured knee;
  • heating the knee with heating ointments or compresses.As prescribed by the doctor, use cold compresses, but not more than fifteen minutes a day;
  • anti-inflammatory medications.

If necessary, treatment is carried out with surgical intervention.

In addition, there are folk remedies that can reduce symptoms, but they can be used only after consulting a doctor.Such pain treatments include:

  • iodine network;
  • compress from your urine;
  • a mixture of raw potatoes with kerosene;
  • creams made from apple cider vinegar mixed with egg yolk;
  • ointment made from crushed potatoes with horseradish;
  • onion compress, for this you need to cut it in half and apply half to the outer and inner sides of the knee;
  • a solution of cologne and dandelion;
  • tincture of elecampane root and alcohol;
  • compress made from black berry, chamomile and pine;
  • calendula lotion;
  • a mixture of mustard and honey.

Folk remedies are not recommended for use by women during pregnancy and after childbirth, when the baby is breastfed.

Preventing

To avoid knee pain while walking, after running or squatting, you should:

  • observe a healthy lifestyle;
  • always watch your posture;
  • maintain normal body weight;
  • warm up the muscles before training to avoid knee spasms after running and training;
  • wear only comfortable shoes;
  • immediately treat all diseases that can lead to this disorder;
  • undergo a preventive examination at the clinic several times a year;
  • perform gymnastics if a person's lifestyle or working conditions are in a standing or sitting position;
  • avoid hypothermia;
  • At the first symptoms, especially after childbirth or running, consult a doctor.