Diseases and conditions that can cause knee pain
Pain can occur in the knee from diseases or conditions that involve the joint, soft tissues and bones surrounding it, or the nerves that supply sensation to the area. In fact, in rheumatic and immune diseases affecting various tissues of the body, including the joints to cause arthritis, the knee joint is the most commonly involved joint.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation within a joint. The causes of knee joint inflammation range from non-inflammatory types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, which is a degeneration of the cartilage of the knee, to the inflammatory types such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Treatment of arthritis is directed according to the nature of the specific type of arthritis. Many people suffer from arthritis; and the pain and discomfort can be so limiting that some may require a total knee joint replacement.
Swelling of the knee joint from arthritis can lead to a localised collection of fluid accumulating in a cyst behind the knee. This is referred to as a Baker cyst, and is a frequent cause of pain at the back of the knee.
Infection
Infections of the bone or joint are rarely a serious cause of knee pain. Symptoms include fever, extreme heat, warmth of the joint, chills of the body, and may be associated with puncture wounds in the area around the knee.
Tumour
Tumours involving the joint are extremely rare (for example, synovial sarcomas, and giant cell tumours). They can cause ambulatory problems with local pain. Treatment usually involves surgery; a few individuals may require amputation of the knee and lower leg. Treatments and surgery depend on the tumour type.
Cartilage issues
Chondromalacia refers to a softening of the cartilage under the kneecap. It is a common cause of deep knee pain, and stiffness after prolonged sitting and climbing stairs or hills. While treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, and rest can help, long-term relief is best achieved by strengthening exercises.
Degenerative cartilage (loss of cartilage) also presents problems as you have friction from bone rubbing on bone, leading to extreme pains and discomfort.
Bursitis
Bursitis of the knee generally occurs on the inside of it, and at the front of the kneecap. Usually treated with ice packs, immobilisation, and anti-inflammatory medications, sometimes corticosteroid injections (steroids) are administered, along with exercise therapy, to develop the musculature of the front of the thigh.
Risk factors
Overall risk factors for knee pain include aging, athletic, and trauma injuries.
• Obesity- Is a risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee; losing weight reduces the force placed on the knee during everyday walking.
• Biomechanical problems - Certain structural abnormalities such as having one leg shorter than the other (leg length discrepancies), body misalignment and flat feet can make you more prone.
• Lack of muscle flexibility or strength - Is a lead cause. Tight or weak muscles offer less support for your knee, because they don’t absorb enough of the stress exerted on the joint.
Complications of knee pain
The major complication of knee pain is inadequate mobility and ability to walk. Long term knee pain that is caused by diseases of the joint can lead to permanent damage and loss of function.
Testing
Imaging tests
In some cases, your doctor might suggest tests such as:
• X-ray - Your doctor may first recommend having an X-ray, to help detect bone fractures and degenerative joint disease.
• CT Scan - Helps diagnose bone problems and detect loose bodies.
• Ultrasound - This produces images of the soft tissue structures within and around your knee and how they are working.
• MRI Scan - Creates 3-D images of the inside of your knee. It is particularly useful in revealing injuries to soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage and muscles.
Treatment options
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve pain and to treat underlying conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin help the joints.
Injections
In some cases, your doctor may suggest injecting medications directly into your joint. Examples include:
• Corticosteroids - A steroid to help reduce the symptoms of an arthritis flare and ease pain.
• Supplemental lubrication - A thick fluid, similar to the fluid (synovial) that naturally lubricates joints, to improve mobility and ease pain. This is geared towards persons with degenerative cartilage issues.
Therapy
If you have chronic pain, consider swimming or aqua therapy. In water, the force of buoyancy supports some of our weight so our knees do not have to. Physical, massage, and electrical therapies, and/or acupuncture, can improve the pains and discomfort significantly.
Strengthening the muscles around your knee will make it more stable too. Training is likely to focus on the muscles on the front of your thigh (quadriceps), and those in the back of your thigh (hamstrings). Exercises to improve your balance are also important.
Arch supports and/or different types of braces may be used too for stabilisation of the body, and to protect and support the knee joint.
Surgery
If you have an injury, disease and or condition that may require surgery, it’s sometimes not necessary to have the operation immediately. Before making any decision, consider the pros and cons of both non-surgical rehabilitation, and surgical reconstruction in relation to what’s most important to you. If you choose to have surgery, your options may include:
• Arthroscopic surgery - Done to remove loose bodies from your knee joint, remove or repair damaged cartilage, and reconstruct torn ligaments.
• Partial knee replacement surgery - Only the most damaged portion of your knee is replaced.
• Total knee replacement - Damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap are cut away, and replaced with an artificial joint.
Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!
Leana Huntley is an English trained foot health practitioner attached to ALMAWI Limited – The Holistic Clinic.
How To Prevent Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
source: trinidadexpress
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation within a joint. The causes of knee joint inflammation range from non-inflammatory types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, which is a degeneration of the cartilage of the knee, to the inflammatory types such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Treatment of arthritis is directed according to the nature of the specific type of arthritis. Many people suffer from arthritis; and the pain and discomfort can be so limiting that some may require a total knee joint replacement.
Swelling of the knee joint from arthritis can lead to a localised collection of fluid accumulating in a cyst behind the knee. This is referred to as a Baker cyst, and is a frequent cause of pain at the back of the knee.
Infection
Infections of the bone or joint are rarely a serious cause of knee pain. Symptoms include fever, extreme heat, warmth of the joint, chills of the body, and may be associated with puncture wounds in the area around the knee.
Tumour
Tumours involving the joint are extremely rare (for example, synovial sarcomas, and giant cell tumours). They can cause ambulatory problems with local pain. Treatment usually involves surgery; a few individuals may require amputation of the knee and lower leg. Treatments and surgery depend on the tumour type.
Cartilage issues
Chondromalacia refers to a softening of the cartilage under the kneecap. It is a common cause of deep knee pain, and stiffness after prolonged sitting and climbing stairs or hills. While treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, and rest can help, long-term relief is best achieved by strengthening exercises.
Degenerative cartilage (loss of cartilage) also presents problems as you have friction from bone rubbing on bone, leading to extreme pains and discomfort.
Bursitis
Bursitis of the knee generally occurs on the inside of it, and at the front of the kneecap. Usually treated with ice packs, immobilisation, and anti-inflammatory medications, sometimes corticosteroid injections (steroids) are administered, along with exercise therapy, to develop the musculature of the front of the thigh.
Risk factors
Overall risk factors for knee pain include aging, athletic, and trauma injuries.
• Obesity- Is a risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knee; losing weight reduces the force placed on the knee during everyday walking.
• Biomechanical problems - Certain structural abnormalities such as having one leg shorter than the other (leg length discrepancies), body misalignment and flat feet can make you more prone.
• Lack of muscle flexibility or strength - Is a lead cause. Tight or weak muscles offer less support for your knee, because they don’t absorb enough of the stress exerted on the joint.
Complications of knee pain
The major complication of knee pain is inadequate mobility and ability to walk. Long term knee pain that is caused by diseases of the joint can lead to permanent damage and loss of function.
Testing
Imaging tests
In some cases, your doctor might suggest tests such as:
• X-ray - Your doctor may first recommend having an X-ray, to help detect bone fractures and degenerative joint disease.
• CT Scan - Helps diagnose bone problems and detect loose bodies.
• Ultrasound - This produces images of the soft tissue structures within and around your knee and how they are working.
• MRI Scan - Creates 3-D images of the inside of your knee. It is particularly useful in revealing injuries to soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage and muscles.
Treatment options
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve pain and to treat underlying conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin help the joints.
Injections
In some cases, your doctor may suggest injecting medications directly into your joint. Examples include:
• Corticosteroids - A steroid to help reduce the symptoms of an arthritis flare and ease pain.
• Supplemental lubrication - A thick fluid, similar to the fluid (synovial) that naturally lubricates joints, to improve mobility and ease pain. This is geared towards persons with degenerative cartilage issues.
Therapy
If you have chronic pain, consider swimming or aqua therapy. In water, the force of buoyancy supports some of our weight so our knees do not have to. Physical, massage, and electrical therapies, and/or acupuncture, can improve the pains and discomfort significantly.
Strengthening the muscles around your knee will make it more stable too. Training is likely to focus on the muscles on the front of your thigh (quadriceps), and those in the back of your thigh (hamstrings). Exercises to improve your balance are also important.
Arch supports and/or different types of braces may be used too for stabilisation of the body, and to protect and support the knee joint.
Surgery
If you have an injury, disease and or condition that may require surgery, it’s sometimes not necessary to have the operation immediately. Before making any decision, consider the pros and cons of both non-surgical rehabilitation, and surgical reconstruction in relation to what’s most important to you. If you choose to have surgery, your options may include:
• Arthroscopic surgery - Done to remove loose bodies from your knee joint, remove or repair damaged cartilage, and reconstruct torn ligaments.
• Partial knee replacement surgery - Only the most damaged portion of your knee is replaced.
• Total knee replacement - Damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap are cut away, and replaced with an artificial joint.
Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!
Leana Huntley is an English trained foot health practitioner attached to ALMAWI Limited – The Holistic Clinic.
How To Prevent Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
source: trinidadexpress
