knee pain

Knee pain is one of the most common unpleasant feelings that everyone has experienced at least once.The progression of the disease that causes pain is due to the fact that the human knee consists of many structures and is subjected to huge loads every day.The injury may affect one of the ligaments or tendons, or a specific fluid-filled sac, as well as cartilage tissue.Such symptoms may signal not only a disease related to the knees, but also a general illness of the body or system.

It is also necessary to distinguish during which movements the pain occurs, for example, knee pain when bending is characteristic of people with an active lifestyle and often indicates a violation of the joint and bone structures.This spasm occurs mainly in the later stages of the disease, when surgical treatment is inevitable.Knees are often injured and cracked during squats, which may be a sign of wear and tear on the cartilage tissue (mainly seen in athletes from constant running).Internal pain occurs due to the occurrence of various pathologies or tumors in the joints.Postpartum pain occurs because a woman's body undergoes many changes during pregnancy, which leads to the occurrence of some diseases.

Determining the cause of knee pain is important because some diseases can be cured only by surgical intervention, while for some the use of traditional medicines is sufficient.

etiology

As mentioned above, there are many causes of knee pain, and they are not always directly related to injury, disease, and abrasions of the knee joint.The first group of factors includes conditions that directly affect the knee joint, including:

• Knee joint disease is a condition that most commonly affects people over the age of forty.The pathology usually affects both knees.The main symptoms are pain and crunching when stretching and squatting.The spasms were violent and sharp.Intensity levels decrease when lying down;
• Blood enters the joint cavity;
• Meniscal injuries can occur at any age, regardless of gender.Usually only one knee is affected.The disease is characterized by severe crunching and pain in the knee after bending or running.Additionally, the man lost the ability to move, as the slightest movement of his legs caused excruciating pain;
• Arthritis - this disease develops very quickly, the inflammatory process spreads to the knee joints of the legs.It is best to start treatment as early as possible because the disease can spread to other joints;
• The integrity of the ligaments is compromised due to rupture, most commonly the internal ligaments are susceptible to this condition and less commonly the lateral ligaments.In this condition, swelling and restriction of motor function are observed;
• Various inflammations of tendons - they occur for various reasons, such as infectious or bacterial influence, injury or bruises, allergy to medications or structural anomalies of the body.With this type of disease, knee pain manifests internally;
• Displacement or dislocation of the kneecap - rarely occurs, mostly in children or athletes, after strenuous exercise or running;
• Inflammatory process of the joint capsule.If left untreated, complications may develop and can only be treated through medical intervention;
• Pathological process of the synovial membrane covering a joint;
• Cysts on the inside of the knee can cause pain behind the knee;
• Destroys the integrity of the fatty tissue covering the joints.Externally, this appears as swelling of the injured knee.
• Osteoarthritis, thinning of cartilage tissue;
• Various infectious diseases, the course of which can lead to arthritis.Knee pain occurs when walking and after squatting;
• Bone tuberculosis;
• Spinal pathology causes knee pain when walking;
• Metabolic disorders or salt deposits in the knees often cause knee pain when squatting.

The second group of causes includes other influences that cause knee pain:

• being overweight;
• Knee trauma or bruises;
• Working conditions that require a person to stand for hours at a time;
• Strenuous physical activity - this is why this disease is most common in professional athletes, such as after running;
• Incorrect posture while working;
• Wearing uncomfortable high heels.

There are several reasons why women experience knee pain during pregnancy:

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

After delivery, all unpleasant feelings will disappear on their own, but if this does not happen, you should consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of the above-mentioned diseases.After giving birth, women may experience knee pain when squatting, standing, and stretching.This is caused by:

• Intense muscle movements during childbirth;
• Sudden involuntary movements of the baby during birth may cause dislocation;
• If a woman suffers from various diseases of the musculoskeletal system before delivery;
• When breastfeeding, fluid builds up in a woman's body, which adversely affects her joints, which is why she feels pain when standing and straightening her knees.

symptom

In addition to the obvious symptoms (pain of varying intensity and crunching when squatting), this presentation has other symptoms characteristic of diseases that cause pain in the knees during walking or other leg movements:

• sleep disorders;
• Increased body temperature;
• Decreased or complete lack of appetite;
• Stiff movements;
• The pain worsens when walking.Significant improvement in sitting or lying posture;
• Significant swelling of the injured knee - visible from the inside;
• Inability to transfer weight to the affected limb;
• Deformation of the kneecap;
• Changes in the color of the skin on your knees;
• fever.

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

diagnosis

Because many conditions are caused by knee pain while walking, after running, squatting, and standing, diagnosis should include:

• A detailed investigation of the patient regarding the onset of the first symptoms, the intensity of the pain, its location (from the outside or inside), the possible causes of the pain (for example, while walking, after running, or after childbirth);
• Palpate the knee by the attending physician to get a more complete understanding of the location of pain and identify swelling;
• Analysis of patient blood for general and biochemical research;
• X-ray - any lesions in the knee structure are clearly visible;
• Collection of fluid using aspiration - performed if the attending physician suspects bone tuberculosis;
• knee aspiration fluid;
• Arthroscopy - performed in case of meniscus injury, causing pain on the inside of the knee.This method is not only used for diagnosis but also during treatment;
• Bone tissue density measurement;
• Knee ultrasound;
• Patients are examined using MRI and CT.

treat

There is no one cure for all diseases and disorders.Treatment is tailored to each patient individually and depends on the cause and intensity of the spasm and whether the knee hurts when walking, after running, squatting or standing.Treatment prescribed for all patients without exception, including postpartum women:

• Reduce the load on the lower limbs to avoid the slightest symptoms;
• Place an immobilizing bandage on the injured knee;
• Warm your knees with a warming ointment or compress.Use cold compresses as directed by your doctor, but no more than fifteen minutes a day;
• Anti-inflammatory drugs.

If necessary, it can be treated with surgical intervention.

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

• Iodine Network;
• Compressed from your own urine;
• a mixture of raw potatoes and kerosene;
• a lotion made from apple cider vinegar mixed with egg yolks;
• an ointment made from crushed potatoes and horseradish;
• Onion dressing, for this you need to cut it in half and apply one half to the outside and inside of the knees;
• a solution of cologne and dandelion;
• Tinctures of Elecampane root and alcohol;
• compresses made from black elderberry, chamomile and pine;
• calendula lotion;
• A mixture of mustard and honey.

Women are not recommended to use folk remedies during pregnancy and postpartum and breastfeeding periods.

prevention

To avoid knee pain when walking, running, or squatting, you must:

• Adhere to a healthy lifestyle;
• Always be aware of your posture;
• maintain a normal weight;
• Warm up your muscles before training to avoid knee cramps after running and exercise;
• Wear only comfortable shoes;
• Promptly treat all diseases that may cause this disease;
• Preventive exams are performed at the clinic several times a year;
• Perform gymnastics if one's lifestyle or working conditions involve standing or sitting;
• Avoid hypothermia;
• Talk to your doctor when the first symptoms appear, especially after giving birth or running.