The majority of people experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Sports, workout and other activities can cause muscle pressures, tendinitis, and more severe injuries to ligaments and cartilage. For some, knee pain can be so severe that it restricts day-to-day activities. For others, mild knee pain might be a chronic hindrance to the active lifestyle they want. In either case, opportunities are that you’re dealing with a knee problem that shouldn’t be ignored.
Ligament Injuries
The ligaments are what connect your thigh bone to your lower leg bones. They hold your bones together and keep the knee stable. Knee ligament sprains and tears are typical sports injuries, and can strike the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and median collateral ligament (MCL). Any of these injuries can result in severe knee pain and might need surgery.
Cartilage Tears
Other injuries, including tears, can happen in the cartilage of the knee. Cartilage is a semi-hard (difficult, but flexible) tissue that covers completion of your bones. Knee cartilage makes up the two menisci on either side of the joint: the medial meniscus, located on the inside of the knee and the lateral meniscus, positioned on the exterior of the knee. You’ve most likely heard the phrase “meniscus tear”. A tear in the knee cartilage is a typical injury, and generally needs surgery.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a typical cause of shooting knee pain and special needs. Unfortunately, arthritis is a chronic degenerative condition that can ultimately need surgery. The 3 most typical types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. In the case of any of these three, you might experience tightness and swelling, and it may be hard to bend your knee.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the tissue around the joint to end up being swollen and thickened. Chronic inflammation often leads to harm and loss of cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis represents only about 10 percent to 15 percent of all arthritis cases.
Post-traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis can result after a severe knee injury, consisting of bone fractures and ligament tears. These injuries can damage the cartilage in your knee over time and cause shooting/sharp pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis
The most common kind of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is a progressive using of the cartilage in the knee joint. It occurs more often in people 50 and older. After 50, the impact of osteoarthritis can get worse due to accumulated use and the using down of cartilage that occurs with age. Osteoarthritis of the knee causes pain, minimal variety of movement, stiffness of the knee, swelling of the joint, inflammation, deformity and weakness.
Causes of osteoarthritis include age, weight, genes, previous injuries, infections, and illness (such as a tumor or gout). Osteoarthritis can likewise be brought on by sports injuries and wear and tear arising from manual labor in professions, such as building and construction and production.
Dealing With Knee Pain From Arthritis
Knee pain usually becomes worse as arthritis progresses. Typical treatments consist of: weight-loss, enhancing exercises, covering, and pain relievers — such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
While osteoarthritis is the most typical surgical patient medical diagnosis, those with severe pain from any kind of arthritis might benefit from surgery, including a partial or total knee replacement. It’s vital to discuss and explore all treatment options with your doctor prior to opting for surgery.
