Knee Pain Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment | Narayana Health
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Knee Pain:

Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis & Treatment

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What is knee pain?

The knee joint is the largest joint of the human body and is designed to support the entire weight of the body, enabling us to walk, run or dance. Damage to any structure in the knee joint can impact normal movement.
Knee pain is a common complaint affecting people of all ages, young and old. Knee pain can be a result of injury, such as a ligament tear or damage to the menisci, or can be age-related such as ortho-arthritis. It is also encountered in a myriad of other conditions, such as auto-immune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis), or as a result of accumulation of metabolic products in the joint spaces (gout).

Accompanying symptoms may include stiffness and swelling. Most often, knee pain can be managed by physiotherapy or knee braces, although some conditions require medications and/or surgery.

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What are the various causes of knee pain?

Knee pain and its causes can be broadly classified into the following categories:

  • Injury
  • Mechanical issues
  • Arthritis
  • Other causes

Here is a brief elaboration of these etiologies:

Knee pain caused by injuries

  • Anterior cruciate ligament tear

Anterior cruciate is one of four ligaments connecting the shin bone (tibia) with the thigh bone (femur). The ACL tear is a common occurrence among sports people, in football, basketball and skating, where a sudden change in the direction of motion is required.

  • Fractures

Fracture of the kneecap or patella is uncommon, most often seen as a result of road traffic accidents, or, rarely, as a result of loss of bone density seen in age-related osteoarthritis.

  • Meniscal tears

A sudden twist of the knee joint during weight bearing can lead to tearing of the menisci, or the cartilage between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). The menisci play a role in cushioning the joint, avoiding friction between the two communicating bones.

  • Bursitis

Bursae are small sacs of fluid along the sides of the knee joint that allow smooth gliding of the tendons and ligaments against each other. Inflammation of these bursae, or bursitis, is usually a result of injury, and is associated with acute pain.

  • Tendinitis

Tendons are the thick fibrous bands that connect the muscles to the bones, enabling movement. The patellar tendon helps attach the quadriceps muscles to the shin bone, the tibia. Injury to this ligament, referred to as patellar tendinitis is often seen in cyclists, runners or those involved in activities that require jumping.

Mechanical problems causing knee pain

Some examples of mechanical causes for knee pain include:

  • Loose bodies

Imagine a pen caught in a door hinge making smooth movements difficult. Similarly, sometimes a chipped piece of bone or cartilage formed due to degenerative changes or injury can affect movement along certain angles while floating within the knee joint fluid.

  • Dislocation of the patella

The patella or kneecap can get dislocated and move outside the knee joint causing a visual deformity and is usually associated with a lot of pain.

  • Illio-tibial band syndrome

The illio-tibial band is a thick fibrous band that arises from beyond the hip joint and terminates outside of the knee joint. This syndrome occurs when this band becomes so tight that it rubs against the thigh bone, the femur. Marathon runners and cyclists are especially susceptible to illio-tibial band syndrome.

  • Hip or foot pain

Hip or foot pain can cause a change in your gait in order to put a lesser strain or reduce the pain in these joints. This can in turn put a strain on the knee joint and cause pain. Also, at times pain in the foot or hip joint can cause referred pain at the knee joint.

Types of arthritis

Arthritis, broadly defined as a condition causing inflammation of the joints and stiffness, is of over a hundred types. Arthritis commonly manifests after the age of sixty five years, though it can present in children, teenagers or young adults. Arthritis is more common in women than men, and is more common among obese individuals.
Symptoms of arthritis include pain, restricted range of movement, along with redness or swelling in some cases. The kinds of arthritis most often affecting the knee joint include:

  • Osteo-arthritis

Also known as degenerative arthritis, osteo-arthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It mostly affects the knee joint, and is due to wear and tear of the cartilage, causing painful movements and stiffness.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

One of the most debilitating forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is a result of an auto-immune disorder and runs a chronic course. Commonly affecting women around the age of forty, rheumatoid arthritis requires life-long treatment and shows a waxing and waning pattern.

  • Gout

Although gout usually affects the big toe, it is also seen in knee joint. Gout is a metabolic disorder causing accumulation of a metabolic product, uric acid as crystals within the joint fluid.

  • Pseudogout

Pseudo-gout mimics gout in its presentation and is due to deposits of calcium crystals within the joint cavity. Pseudogout most often affects the knee joint.

  • Septic arthritis

Infection of the knee joint can cause pain, swelling and restricted movement. There is associated fever and usually has a rapid progression causing extensive damage to the cartilage.

Other causes

Patello-femoral syndrome refers to the pain that arises between the thigh bone (femur) and the kneecap (patella). It is seen in athletes, older patients due to arthritis or due slight malalignment.

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What are the risk factors associated with knee pain?

  • Excess weight

Being overweight or obese causes an incresed strain on your knee joint during daily activities like walking or using the stairs. It also increases the risk of developing arthritis as you age.

  • Lack of flexibility or weakness of muscles

Muscle strength helps protect and stabilize your joints.Having flexible muscles help in achieving full range of motion of joints.

  • Certain occupations or sports

Jobs that require repetitive stress on the knee joint such as construction or farming can result in knee pain. Sports like basketball requiring pivoting, skiing that can lead to falls also increases the risk of knee pain.

  • History of injury

Having had a previous injury makes you more likely to have knee injury and pain.

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What are the complications of knee pain?

Having knee pain is not indicative of a serious underlying cause in most cases, and can be alleviated by giving it adequate rest or physiotherapy. However, chronic conditions like osteo-arthritis can cause prolonged or severe pain leading to disability or joint damage.

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What are ways to prevent knee pain?

  • Maintain a healthy weight

Every extra kilogram of weight increases the strain on your weight bearing joints, leading to an increased risk of injury or osteo-arthritis. Keeping off excess weight is the best thing you can do for your knees.

  • Condition your body

If your job or participation in sports has certain demands, ensure that you prepare your muscles for the same. If needed, work with a trainer to perfect your technique.

  • Practise properly and regularly

Ensure that your technique and movement are proper when you practise sports or exercise. Use professional help if required.

  • Improve your strength and flexibility

The hamstrings and quadriceps are the groups of muscles that support the knee joint. When you exercise, always stretch these muscles to avoid stiffness and improve flexibility. Balance and stability training greatly helps preventing knee injury.

  • Listen to your body

If you are suffering from chronic pain, developing recurring injuries, or showing the first signs of osteo-arthritis, switch to low impact exercises such as swimming or water aerobics until you get better. This allows time for your knees to heal and improve your strength.

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How is the cause for knee pain diagnosed?

Knee Pain Diagnosis

When you approach a doctor with knee pain, evaluation includes a physical examination, followed by radiological examination and blood tests if needed.

Physical examination

During the physical, the doctor will:

  • Inspect your knee for any bruising, swelling, pain or tenderness.
  • Check your range of motion
  • Assess the strength and integrity of your knee joint.

Radiological evaluation

  • X-ray

Usually the first test ordered, an X-ray helps identify fractures or degenerative bone disorders.

  • CT scan

A computerized tomography scan, or a CT scan, is the equivalent of hundreds of X-Rays taken at multiple angles and directions to create cross-sectional images of the area of interest. A CTscan can pick up subtle fractures, degenerative changes or even deposits within the joint cavity before manifestation of arthritis.

  • Ultrasound

An ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the soft tissues in and around the knee joint. This helps pick up signs of inflammation or soft tissue injuries.

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI uses radio waves and magnetic waves to create 3D images of the knee joint. This helps in revealing injuries of the tendons, ligaments, cartilage or muscles.

Laboratory tests

Blood tests can help diagnose metabolic causes for arthritis such as gout or pseudogout. Another procedure known as arthrocentesis, involves aspirating minute quantities of the fluid within the knee joint for laboratory evaluation.

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How is knee pain treated?

Knee Pain Treatment

The treatment options for knee pain vary from conservative physiotherapy, medications to surgery.

  • Knee replacement surgery

When is knee replacement surgery advised?

Osteoarthritis: It is the most common indication for knee replacement.

Rheumatoid arthritis: In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis can rapidly progress causing irreversible damage despite medical therapy. In such situations, surgery can provide permanent relief.

Deformities: People presenting with conditions such as bow legs or knock knees may be due to congenital conditions or improper fixation post fractures. Restoration of function and posture can be achieved by knee replacement.

Knee injuries: Fractures or ligament tears beyond repair may require replacement of the joint for relief of symptoms.

Types of knee replacement surgery

  • Partial knee replacement

Partial replacement of the knee joint involves replacing only the damaged parts of the knee joint with metal/ plastic non-reactive materials. Hence, partial knee replacement has a lesser recovery period and involves only a few incisions around the joint.

  • Total knee replacement

This involves removing parts of the shin bone (tibia), thigh bone (femur) and the kneecap (patella) and are replaced by an artificial joint made using metal alloys and polymers.

  • Patellofemoral replacement

This involves the replacement of the under-surface of the kneecap and the groove it sits on. It is an effective solution for patients suffering from chronic patellar arthritis.

  • Complex or revision knee replacement

This procedure is performed in cases of severe arthritis or patients who have had knee replacement surgeries earlier.

  • Cartilage restoration

Knee damage only involving the cartilage can be addressed by living cartilage graft or cells which grow into cartilage. This has been shown to give promising results in some patients.

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What are the home remedies for knee pain?

Here are a few things you can do to relieve your knee pain:

  • Rest your knee: Avoid intense activity for a few days. Reducing repetitive strain on the knee, allowing time to heal and helps prevent further damage.
  • Ice it: Icing the knee joint reduces the inflammation associated with pain and swelling. Keep ice on the affected joint for fifteen to twenty minutes every three to four hours for a few days or until the pain subsides.
  • Compress your knee: Compressing the affected knee with wraps, sleeves, bandages or straps helps keep the swelling down and support the joint.
  • Taking anti-inflammatory medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are available over the counter and help relieve pain and swelling. However, they should be taken with caution and only if necessary.
  • Elevate your knee: Place a pillow below your ankle when you sit or lie down to reduce swelling of the knee joint.
  • Practise simple exercises: Stretching and strengthening exercises involving the quadriceps and hamstrings can help reduce strain on the knee joint. Always use caution and do not do more than you are able to comfortably.

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What are alternative medicine therapies recommended for knee pain?

  • Glucosamine and chondroitin

These are supplements that studies have shown mixed results on their effectiveness in relieving osteo-arthritis. Chondroitin is a component of bone and cartilage. Chondroitin sulphate, derived from an animal source, is believed to enhance the shock absorbing properties of collagen and prevents enzymatic breakdown of collagen. Glucosamine produced in the body, provides natural building blocks for collagen. Like chondroitin, glucosamine helps lubricating joints, helps collagen retain water and prevents breakdown.

  • Acupuncture:

Acupuncture may help relieve knee pain in osteo-arthritis. Although results have been mixed in various studies, it has been practised. Local needling at the site of inflammation engages the inflammatory agents through the release of histamine.

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Knee pain FAQs: All your concerns addressed

Q.  What kind of doctor should I see for my knee pain?

  1. Although many patients choose to consult their family physician to investigate knee pain, specialist orthopedic surgeons would be more than happy to see you in consultation for knee pain. They will explain your treatment options, including surgical or non-invasive options, if they are more appropriate.

Q.  What can cause pain in the back of the knee?

  1. Pain in the back of the knee can be due to strain in the muscles or inflammation of the tendon, or tendinitis. Unusually meniscal tears, cysts due to degeneration can also cause pain in the back of the knee joint. Injury to the ligaments or clots can cause similar symptoms.

Q.  Is walking good for the knee?

  1. Walking is a recommended exercise for knee pain. It should be done as much as possible without aggravating knee pain. It aids in general fitness as well as strengthening the muscles supporting the knee joint.

Q.  How do you reduce fluid in the knee?

  1. Fluid accumulation in the knee is usually due to a reaction to some pathology or injury and can cause significant discomfort and pain. In acute conditions, the fluid can be aspirated using a needle inserted in the knee joint. Injecting a corticosteroid also helps reduce recurrent accumulation of fluid.

Q.  Other than knee pain, what are the symptoms of knee injuries?

  1. If you have suffered from any injury to the knee, symptoms include stiffness, swelling and instability. At times you can hear popping sounds when you move due to dislocation of the kneecap (patella), or limited mobility. You may not be able to straighten out your knee due to pain.

Q.  What is the best exercise for knee pain?

  1. Before starting exercises for knee pain, it is advisable to take your medication forty-five minutes before you begin. Keeping a hot pack for about twenty minutes also helps reduce pain while exercising. After you finish, apply an ice pack to reduce inflammation due to exercise. Here are some simple exercises to do at home, for ten counts each, alternating with each leg:

●   Leg raising (lying down)

  1. Lie flat on the floor or on a yoga mat keeping your hands by your side and feet facing upwards.
  2. Keeping your leg straight, lift it slowly, as high as you can.
  3. Tighten your stomach to push your back flat against the floor.
  4. Hold and count to 5, then lower your leg as slow as possible.
  5. Repeat with the other leg.

●   Hamstring stretch (lying down)

  1. Lie on the floor or mat with both your legs bent
  2. Slowly lift one leg, still bent at the knee, and bring your knee back to the chest
  3. Hold your hands behind your thigh and straighten your leg.
  4. Pull your straight leg towards your head until your feel a stretch.
  5. Hold for thirty to sixty seconds and slowly bring your leg back to the ground.
  6. Repeat with the other leg.

●   Half squat

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, hands straight in front of you.
  2. Slowly bend your knees until your in half sitting position. Use a chair for support if needed.
  3. Don’t lean forward, keep your back and chest straight
  4. Keeping your feet flat on the ground, hold for five to ten seconds.
  5. Repeat

●   Leg stretch

  1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you.
  2. Keep your hands by your sides, supporting yourself, keeping your back straight
  3. Slowly bend your knee until you feel a stretch.
  4. Hold your leg in that position for 5 seconds and slowly stretch out your leg, holding in that position for five seconds.
  5. Repeat with the other leg.

Q.  What can I do to relieve knee pain?

  1. In case of severe knee pain, do not walk, exercise, or lift a heavyweight. Do a simple trick 'RICE'

    • R - Give your knee some Rest
    • I - Apply Ice
    • C- Wear a Compressive bandage
    • E - Keep your knee Elevated

    This will bring instant relief from the knee pain.

Q.  What is the home remedy for knee pain?

  1. Home remedies for knee pain are a bunch of instructions and exercises which are not a treatment for your knee but will help control the condition.

    • Always be aware of your body weight. If you are overweight, then try to reduce it with dieting and mild exercises.
    • Massage your knee loosely. Self-massage is as good as a massage done by others.
    • Lookout for postures and support. Avoid prolonged sitting, low height chairs or cushions, and couches that you sink into. Wear supportive shoes. 
    • Physical Activity to boost the health of cartilage tissue. Practice activities like cycling, walking, swimming, and yoga. 
    • Strengthen your upper leg muscles by working with a physical therapist. These muscles protect the knee joint. Strengthening these quadriceps muscles helps with many of the long-term problems with knee pain.

Q.  How do I know if my knee pain is serious?

  1. Knee pain is often accompanied by the following signs and symptoms -

    • Swelling
    • Stiffness
    • Redness
    • Weakness or instability
    • Popping or crunching noises
    • Inability to fully straighten the knee
    • Inability to bear any kind of weight
    • Intense pain
    • A joint that appears deformed

    Visit a doctor and seek immediate medical attention immediately if you are facing any of these signs. 

Q.  What does arthritis in the knee feel like?

  1. Arthritis of the knee is inflammation of one or more of your joints. Arthritis in the knee causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. This condition typically occurs in all kinds of body joints, but it is particularly common in the knee. Knee arthritis makes it extremely difficult to perform everyday activities, like walking or climbing stairs. Arthritis in the knee is detected by -

    • A gradual increase in knee pain
    • Swelling
    • Tenderness
    • Buckling & Locking
    • Cracking or popping sounds
    • Poor range of motion
    • Knee deformities
    • Loss of joint space

Q.  What causes a dull ache in the knee?

  1. The conditions which cause dull knee pain includes - 

    • Tendinitis - It is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle.
    • Bursitis - It is a painful condition that affects the small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae, which cushions the tendons, bones, and muscles near the joints. 
    • Chondromalacia Patella - It is a condition where the cartilage on the undersurface of the patella, commonly known as kneecap deteriorates and softens.
    • Gout - It is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis that affects the big toe, and/or the joints, including one or both of the knees.
    • Osteoarthritis - It is the most common chronic joint condition. Osteoarthritis occurs most often in older people, where the cartilage, the protective tissue coving the bones, breaks down and causes the bones to rub together.

    Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - RA in joints causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of joint function and deformities.

Q.  What vitamins help with knee pain?

  1. Supplements and medications that help to prevent and cure knee pain are -

    • Vitamin D
    • Estrogen
    • Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate
    • Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
    • Turmeric
    • Omega 3
    • Ginger
    • S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)

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