Knee Pain Causes

There are so many different things that can cause a painful knee that it would be impossible to name them all but overuse and injuries are the two main reasons people experience pain in the knee area. Sport injuries are one of the most common problems that cause torn cartilages or ruptured ligaments. 

Medical conditions such as gout, arthritis and infections can also cause this problem. Even turning quickly, landing the wrong way when running or jumping and degeneration due from aging can cause knee pain.

The knee is designed with hinge joints that allow it to have the flexibility to move back and forth. The knee is the largest and the most complicated hinge joint found anywhere in the body. Due to the fact that they also twist and rotate the knee is more vulnerable to injuries than other joints which can help explain why knee pain is so common.

Back of the Knee Pain

One of the most frequent complaints among knee pain suffers is back knee pain...in other words,  pain in the back of the knee or, as some patients describe it, pain behind the knee.

This type may be due to the formation of a cyst, called a Baker's Cyst, in the back of the knee joint. A Baker cyst results from swelling caused by fluid from the knee joint protruding to the back of the knee.

Pain that actually originates in the kneecap may feel as if it's occurring in the back of the knee.

Knee Pain Symptoms

Knee pain symptoms will depend on what is causing the problem. For instance, if damage has been done to your ligaments, then you may hear a popping sound and the pain will get worse when you walk or bend your knee. Intense pain accompanied with swelling and trouble walking may be a sign of a dislocated kneecap. Inflammation caused from medical conditions such as bursitis can cause redness, swelling, pain and stiffness and a warm feeling in the affected area.

Treatment for pain in the knee will depend on the cause but for a majority of the injuries the following self care treatment can be effective.

• Protection from further damage
• Rest for the affected area
• Ice to help reduce the pain and inflammation
• Compression to help prevent fluid buildup from causing tissue damage
• Elevation of the knee to prevent fluid from accumulating in the affected area

Many anti-inflammatory medicines can be used such as ibuprofens, aspirin and naproxen for the pain. However, don’t take these for an extended amount of time or other problems can occur.

Serious medical conditions may require physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles and regain stability or surgery may be necessary. If the pain is caused from another medical condition, then treating the original cause of the problem will be essential.

You can’t always prevent knee pain from occurring but there are steps that you can follow to help reduce the risks. These include maintaining a healthy weight to prevent putting extra strain on the joints. Exercising to keep the joints limber and flexible and wearing comfortable shoes to reduce the pressure on your joints. When your body shows signs of fatigue, stop what you’re doing and rest whenever possible.