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Knee Pain

Understanding Knee Pain: Causes, Types & Treatment Options

What Is Knee Pain?

Knee pain is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It can result from injuries, overuse, mechanical problems, or underlying medical conditions. The pain may be mild or severe, constant or intermittent, and can impact your ability to walk, run, climb stairs, or perform everyday activities.
 

Your knee is a complex joint made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. When any of these structures are damaged or inflamed, knee pain can occur.

Knee Pain

Types of Knee Pain

Knee pain can be classified in various ways depending on its origin, duration, and symptoms. Common types include:

knee pain treatment

Acute Knee Pain

  • Sudden onset due to an injury

  • Examples: ligament tears, fractures, dislocations, meniscus injuries

Chronic Knee Pain

  • Long-lasting or recurring pain

  • Often linked to degenerative conditions or untreated injuries

Mechanical Knee Pain

  • Caused by movement issues within the joint

  • Common in conditions like meniscus tears or loose cartilage

Inflammatory Knee Pain

  • Related to autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis

  • Often involves swelling, warmth, and stiffness

Referred Pain

  • Originates from other areas (like the hip or lower back) but felt in the knee

Common causes of knee pain

  • Injuries: ACL tears, MCL sprains, meniscus tears, patellar dislocations

  • Osteoarthritis: Age-related wear and tear of cartilage

  • Tendinitis: Inflammation of tendons, often from repetitive stress

  • Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) around the knee

  • Gout or Pseudogout: Crystalline deposits in the joint

  • Runner’s Knee & Jumper’s Knee: Common overuse injuries in active individuals

Keen pain causes

Treatment Options for Knee Pain

The right treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the pain. Here are the most common approaches:

1. Non-Surgical Treatments

  • RICE Protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation for acute injuries

  • Medications: Pain relievers like NSAIDs to reduce inflammation

  • Physical Therapy: Tailored exercises to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore movement

  • Bracing or Support: Knee braces to stabilize and protect the joint

  • Weight Management: Reducing pressure on the knees through weight loss

2. Minimally Invasive Procedures

  • Corticosteroid Injections: Reduce inflammation and pain in chronic conditions

  • Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Help lubricate the knee joint

  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Stimulates healing using components of your own blood

3. Surgical Treatments (not offered at our clinic)

  • Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure to repair damaged cartilage or remove debris

  • Ligament Reconstruction: Common for ACL or other ligament tears

  • Partial or Total Knee Replacement: For advanced arthritis or severe joint damage

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When to see a Therapist?

See a specialist if you experience:

  • Persistent or worsening pain

  • Swelling that doesn’t improve

  • Inability to bear weight on the knee

  • Instability or locking of the joint

  • Signs of infection (fever, warmth, redness)

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