Knee pains have become common in people throughout the globe. It has to be diagnosed properly to treat it accordingly. It can be caused due to unhealthy lifestyle, age, injuries or due to consequences of any medical conditions. Some knee pains can be cured by home remedies, exercises or massage; but some require the attention of a professional.
Symptoms of Severe Knee Pain | When do you know it is serious?
The symptoms of severe knee pain include,
- Redness and feeling of warmth near the knee
- Stiffness and swelling in and around the knee
- Weakness or instability in the knee
- Unable to stand (bear the bodyweight)
- Inability to completely straighten the knee
- Movement is different from normal
- Popping and crushing noises from the knee while sitting and standing
Causes of Knee Pain | Reasons behind Knee Pain
Knee Ligament Injuries
- ACL Injury
- Knee Ligament Injuries PCL Injury
- PCL Injury
- Posterolateral Corner Injury
- MCL Sprain
- Superior Tibiofibular Joint Sprain
- LCL Sprain
Kneecap Pain
- Fat Pad Syndrome
- Sinding Larsen Johansson Syndrome
- Chondromalacia Patella
- Patella Dislocation
- Osgood Schlatter’s
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Children’s Knee Conditions
- Sinding Larsen Johansson Syndrome
- Osgood Schlatter’s
Knee Meniscus
- Discoid Meniscus
- Meniscus Tear
Knee Tendonitis
- Pes anserinus Tendinitis
- Patella Tendonitis (Tendinopathy)
- Popliteus Tendinitis
Knee Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Bursitis
- Pes anserinus Bursitis
- Bursitis Knee
Muscle Injuries
- Cramps
- Thigh Strain
- Hamstring Strain
- Muscle Strain (Muscle Pain)
- ITB Syndrome
- Popliteus Syndrome
- DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
- Knee Replacement
- Knee Arthroscopy
Other Knee-Related Conditions
- Overuse Injuries
- Plica Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Runner’s Knee
- Stress Fracture
- Sciatica
- Restless Legs Syndrome
Also See: Cardio Rehabilitation
Treatment | What can be done?
Medication
One can find many different tablets and creams available in the market. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol do help and one should use it only if needed. It is suggested to take it regularly only at the recommended dose to control the pain and allow one to continue exercising. One should not wait for the pain to get severe.
It is not advised to consume ibuprofen or aspirin if pregnant, or if one suffers from indigestion or asthma or an ulcer until the doctor advises to do so. Some medication comes with side-effects, to avoid them; one should read the label carefully and consult the doctor if you have any queries.
In case the medications do not work, the doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers or capsaicin cream, which one can rub on the knee.
If the knee pain affects the day-to-day activity & is persisting, the physician can suggest to visit a physiotherapist. Physical therapy helps in the management of pain; it strengthens and provides flexibility.
Surgery
A doctor can advise the patient to go for a surgery if the pain is severe or the patient is facing mobility problems.
Expectations from a Physiotherapy session for Knee Pain:
In the first visit, diagnosis is done to know the severity of the problem/pain. Information is collected related to the aggravating & relieving factors, history of the problem and about any past medical history that contribute to the overall problem.
Physical Examination is conducted to note:
- the walking posture and movements
- range of motions (motion during bending or stretching)
- swelling measurements
- palpations (to evaluate if it hurts while touching)
- balance (to evaluate stress on the knees)
- strength measurements (to evaluate the condition of muscles surrounding the knee)
After the assessment, the physiotherapist plans a customized program that involves exercises that will strengthen the knees; the therapy requires active participation of the patient.
Some exercises may include:
- Balance exercises
- Straight leg raises
- Quad sets
- Stretches
- Exercises to strengthen hip
- Arch quads
The exercises can be performed at home, as suggested by the physiotherapist. The physiotherapist evaluates the progress regularly.
The visits to the physiotherapist may include:
- Soft tissue massages
- Electric stimulation
- Application of ice or heat
- Ultrasound
- Kinesiology taping
It is to be kept in mind that treatments such as ultrasound are not proved to be the most effective treatment for knee pain. It may feel good for some time, but the focus with physiotherapist should concern with restoring functional mobility. One should discuss the goal of each session so he has an overall understanding of what to expect after the visit.
If knee pain exists for more than two to three weeks or occurs as the result of a major trauma, visit the physician or health care provider to discuss the issue in detail.
Also See: Class 4 Laser Physiotherapy
Prevention from Knee Pain:
One can take off their knees and avoid knee pain to a large extent by considering the points given below. Some healthy habits that can be adopted to get rid of knee pain are:
- Keep off the additional weight
- Be fit and agile to play sports or do some warm-up
- Exercises regularly; swimming and aerobics also help.
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